Gov. Abbott activates National Guard, talks with hospitals as Texas sees 2 virus deaths

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a video conference with Texas hospitals on Tuesday to talk about the spread of the coronavirus amid word of the state's first two deaths.

"That conversation really ran the gamut," said Ryan Mielke, a spokesman for University Medical Center in El Paso, who indicated the topics included the need for ventilators and other medical supplies, as well as more virus testing kits.

Abbott also activated the Texas National Guard, but said there were no deployments being made just yet. Abbott described it as a “preparative measure.” (You can watch the governor's entire remarks in the video player at the bottom of this article.)

The state's first confirmed virus death happened along the Texas coast, according to a news release from the Matagorda County Emergency Operation Center. The victim was a man in his late 90s who died late Monday at Matagorda Regional Medical Center. The patient, who was a resident of the county, had symptoms consistent with the virus.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family,” the statement said.

The second death occurred in north Texas, where Tarrant County health officials said test results on a 77-year-old man who died came back positive Tuesday for coronavirus. In a statement, county officials said the man was a resident of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center in Arlington.

Tarrant County teams were working with retirement center administrators to assess other residents and staff as a search was mounted for the possible source of the infection

According to the most recent numbers provided by public and federal health labs on Tuesday, Texas had tested 1,264 people so far. Officials said there were more private labs conducting tests as well, but there was no precise number on how many or when.