The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in responding to the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) that is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness worldwide.
Case counts can now be found on the COVID-19 case dashboard. (Excel: Accessible version | County Cases over Time)
All data are provisional and subject to change.
Browse this site for what to do if you’re sick, testing information, symptoms, and prevention tips to help DSHS share facts, not fear.
Hospitals, healthcare professionals, local public health, community leaders, and others can find resources throughout this website to help them in their response to COVID‑19.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available. Check back often for the latest details and what Texans need to know about COVID‑19.
Texas Executive Orders & Public Health Disaster Declaration
On March 31, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued an Executive Order implementing Essential Services and Activities Protocols. The protocols renew the Governor’s directive to avoid eating or drinking inside at bars, restaurants, and food courts, although use of drive-thru, pickup, and delivery for food is highly encouraged. The order prohibits visiting gyms or massage establishments, and expands to include tattoo studios, piercing studios, and cosmetology salons. It also extends social distancing measures to April 30, 2020, and schools will remain closed to in-person classroom attendance through May 4, 2020.
On March 24, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued an Executive Order relating to daily reporting during the COVID‑19 disaster. See the COVID‑19 Texas Hospital Reporting Requirements found on the Information for Hospitals & Healthcare Professionals page of this site for more information.
On March 19, 2020, Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commissioner of Texas DSHS, declared a public health disaster in Texas, because COVID-19 “has created an immediate threat, poses a high risk of death to a large number of people, and creates a substantial risk of public exposure because of the disease’s method of transmission and evidence that there is community spread in Texas.”