Department of Defense task forces deployed to help Texas combat COVID-19

Gov. Greg Abbott announced July 13 the U.S. Department of Defense would provide more resources to Texas to combat the rise of COVID-19.

According to a press release from Abbott's office, the department activated additional U.S. Army Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces to help the state fight off the coronavirus pandemic. These teams include medical and support professionals who will help support hospitals statewide.

One task force arrive in the Houston area July 13, and another arrived in San Antonio July 6, the release reads.

Another four, along with a U.S. Navy Acute Care Team and four U.S. Navy Rapid Rural Response teams, will be sent to other locations across the state as identified by ongoing assessments, according to the release.

"Our ongoing partnership with the federal government is crucial to meeting the medical needs of Texas as we combat COVID-19 in our communities," Abbott said in the release. "Texas is grateful to the U.S. Department of Defense as well as President Trump and Vice President Pence for providing these additional resources and for working alongside our communities to keep Texans safe and mitigate the spread of this virus."