Hotels May House Recovering COVID-19 Patients in Rio Grande Valley

The U.S. Department of Defense will surge resources to the Rio Grande Valley to help combat COVID-19, including a U.S. Army Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force, which will provide medical and support professionals needed in hospitals.

Additionally, the Texas Division of Emergency Management is coordinating with local officials to identify alternate sites, such as area hotels, to care for and house patients who are recovering from COVID-19. This is aimed at ensuring additional hospital capacity in Cameron and Hidalgo counties.

“I am grateful to our federal partners at the Department of Defense for sending these teams to the valley and working within the community to protect public health and combat this virus,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “These teams, coupled with our newly established partnership with local hotels, will aid in our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure adequate hospital capacity in the valley.” 

The federal government has been sending medical reinforcements to Texas for about a week now. 

Additional announcements are expected.