AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has activated the Texas National Guard, in the event they are needed for response efforts for COVID-19.
Abbott made the announcement in a virtual press conference at the State Operations Center Tuesday afternoon.
"By activating the Texas National Guard, we are ensuring Texas is prepared as we continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," Abbott said. "I am grateful to the men and women of the National Guard for their dedication to serving their fellow Texans, and want to assure the public that this is a precautionary measure to make sure the Texas National Guard has the capability to serve at a moment's notice where they are needed most."
Healthcare workers and first responders who are members of the Texas National Guard are excluded from this activation so that they can continue serving the people of Texas in their respective fields.
In addition to the Guard activation, Abbott also updated the state's tally of COVID-19 cases. As of noon Tuesday, there are now 64 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across 19 counties in the state, with the first death reported in Matagorda County. Abbott said 1,264 Texans have been tested for the virus.