from ABC13 Eyewitness News April 11, 2020

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- About 30 people at a nursing home in Texas City are being tested with hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, to determine whether it will be a successful treatment, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday.

On Friday, the Galveston County Health Department announced 83 people, including patients and employees, tested positive for COVID-19 at The Resort at Texas City. The next day, one of the patients died.

Abbott made the announcement during a briefing on Monday afternoon.

Hydroxychloroquine has been touted as a possible treatment for COVID-19 by President Trump among others, but it remains controversial as some experts believe it is unproven and may not be effective.

"They are, for the most part, in their second day of this testing regimen that will last several more days," said Abbott. "We look forward to updating you as the week progresses about how this drug is aiding, or not, these patients."

Because of the staggering amount of cases at the nursing home, Dr. Philip Keiser, the county's local health authority, issued a Public Health Order enforcing restrictions on long-term care facilities in Galveston County.

Newly released data shows 140 Texans have died due to coronavirus and a total of 7,276 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 are being treated. As of Monday, more than 85,000 people have already been tested for COVID-19 while 1,153 are currently hospitalized. So far, 157 of 254 counties in the state are now reporting cases.

Abbott also offered an update on stimulus checks and said direct deposit transactions should begin next week, citing a briefing with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Read the full article at ABC13