June 23, 2020
Rear Admiral Erica Schwartz Deputy Surgeon General Office of the Surgeon General U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201
Re: Harris County COVID-19 Testing Sites Continue Under Federal CBTS Program Until August 30, 2020.
Dear Rear Admiral Schwartz,
We are writing you today as the Texas State House and Senate Delegation from Harris County, respectfully requesting that you provide your full commitment and authorization for continued support through FEMA for the COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Sites in Harris County.
With a population of 4.7 million people, Harris County is the third most populous county in the United States. It is also the most populous county in Texas. Regrettably, Harris County has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and ICU patients over the last few weeks. If these trends continue, our current healthcare system could become overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of these trends, it is clear that—now more than ever—Harris County needs more testing. The continuation of FEMA-supported COVID-19 testing is key to meeting the demands that will be placed on our healthcare system. Because of that, we are asking you to grant Harris County Public Health’s request that FEMA-supported Community-Based Testing Sites in Harris County remain under the federally supported program until at least August 30, 2020.
If you have any additional questions, please contact State Representative Garnet Coleman’s office at 512-463-0524 to be put in contact with any of our offices, or contact any of our offices directly.
Sincerely,
Senator John Whitmire Representative Senfronia Thompson Representative Garnet F. Coleman
Senator Larry Taylor Representative Alma A. Allen Representative Ana Hernandez
Senator Joan Huffman Senator Borris Miles Senator Carol Alvarado
Representative Armando Walle Representative Dan Huberty Representative Sarah Davis
Representative Gene Wu Representative Mary Ann Perez Representative Jarvis Johnson
Representative Shawn Thierry Representative Jon Rosenthal Representative Gina Calanni
Representative Christina Morales Representative Anna Eastman