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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas officials on Friday requested federal aid to increase COVID-19 testing and treatment , following reports that the state is low on the treatment that has proved most effective against the omicron variant.
In a statement, Governor. Greg Abbott stated that the request was made by the Texas Division for Emergency Management (TX Division for Emergency Management) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (TX Department of State Health Services).
They are seeking federal resources for COVID-19 testing sites in six counties, increased medical personnel, and more sotrovimab – the monoclonal antibody treatment that has proved most effective against the more-transmissible omicron.
Abbott said Abbott stated that “Detection and prevention of COVID-19-related hospitalizations are essential to fight the virus.”
Abbott has urged the Biden administration to “step up in this fight” and provide the resources needed to safeguard Texans.
On Monday the Texas Department of State Health Services stated that regional infusion centers in some of the state’s most populous cities -including Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, San Antonio and The Woodlands — “have exhausted their stock of sotrovimab.”
According to the agency, the main reason for the scarcity is a nationwide shortage in treatment.
The centers are expected to receive new shipments by the beginning of January.
