Top Texas Health Official: No Need For Health Disaster Declaration

(Austin, TX) — The top Texas health official says he sees no need to declare a public health disaster in the state because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Dr. John Hellerstedt, head of the Department of State Health Services, spoke on Tuesday before the House Public Health Committee. Hellerstedt added that the situation changes all the time, meaning that such a declaration may be needed at a later date.

During the five-hour hearing, lawmakers also heard from pharmaceutical experts, health care professionals, and officials from San Antonio and Houston.