With Hispanic community among hardest hit, Gov. Abbott’s office issues Spanish PSA encouraging testing, hygiene

(Bebeto Matthews, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – The Hispanic community has been one of the communities hardest hit by the coronavirus in Texas.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, about 40% of people who have tested positive for coronavirus are Hispanic. The DSHS data also showed that nearly 30% of those who have died from the illness are Hispanic.

Recommended Videos



In Harris County and Houston combined, about 14,500 Hispanic people have tested positive for COVID-19, which is the highest out of all the specified races in the area. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Monday that of the seven new coronavirus-related deaths, six were members of the Hispanic community.

RELATED: Hispanic community urged to get tested as COVID-19 hits group hardest in Houston-area

Gov. Greg Abbott’s office launched a Spanish-language public service announcement Monday in an effort to bring more awareness in the community and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

In the PSA, Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, from UT Medical Center in San Antonio, delivers a simple plea to the community: “wash your hands regularly, stay home as much as possible, and if you need to leave your house, please use a mask.”

Cigarroa also asked people to stay six feet away from others, if they must go out.

“Working together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 in Texas,” Cigarroa said. “Working together, we can protect our family and every person in this great state of Texas.”

Watch the PSA below


About the Author:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.