December 31, 2020 - For seven consecutive days, the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients in the East Texas region has exceeded 15% of the total capacity.
On Monday, December 21, 2020, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported that the 19 counties that comprise the Piney Woods Trauma Service Area (TSA-G) are now in an “area with high hospitalization,” as defined by Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32.
This means restaurants and businesses in all counties within the TSA-G area, must now operate at no more than 50% of the total listed occupancy. In addition, people may not visit bars in “areas with high hospitalization” unless bars are allowed to continue operating drive-thru, pickup and delivery activities.
“The number one way to safeguard against the increasing spread of the coronavirus and to protect the community from additional restrictions from the state is to regulate our own behavior in a responsible way,” said Judge Harbison. “We should, as individuals, make the choices to wear a mask, avoid large crowds, keep our distance, wash our hands often, and stay home if we feel sick. By doing this, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our community, and regain additional freedoms and opportunities for ourselves and our businesses. Shelby County’s case numbers are some of the lowest in our 19 County Region, please do your part to keep our County safe and well.”
Counties may return to 75% capacity when "the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15% or less.
Trauma Service Area G includes the following counties: Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Houston, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood.
