PRESS RELEASE: Coronavirus COVID-19

July 1, 2020

Somervell County, Texas has a total of 19 cases with 10 residents currently having active infections. 9 of the 10 active cases are in home isolation. 2 patients have been hospitalized, and one of them has recovered at this time.  A total of 9 patients have recovered. Tracer activity is ongoing.

All test results have been reported to Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Region 2/3 office in accordance with CDC and DSHS guidelines.

Every local resident should continue to follow Open Texas guidelines and make their best personal decision to protect themselves, their families, and businesses as we continue to work through this pandemic together.

In my opinion people have a choice to make.  If COVID-19 infections continue to rise at this level, the government will have no choice but to shut more Texas businesses down.  The best way to avoid a shut down is for people to wear masks, and aggressively wash their hands.  This means wearing masks when in public, including churches, stores, and schools.  It also means wearing masks at social gatherings if indoors, and also out of doors for larger groups.

Family and friends will gather this weekend to celebrate the 4^th of July, it is with the utmost importance that you wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. In our area numbers are rapidly climbing, in large part due to social gatherings.  Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. If you have had a known or potential exposure, please quarantine at home.

Please be mindful that we are all neighbors, respect the privacy of others and follow HIPAA guidelines.  It is Glen Rose Medical Center’s policy not to release any demographic or patient information due to HIPAA law.

Want to know more?

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website and Texas 2-1-1 remain the best sources of information for Somervell residents regarding COVID-19 testing and self-protection measures. DSHS updates their county-by-county tracking map daily at https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.

As a community, we will continue to experience more disease, and eventually someone in our community will become our first death from this disease.  The only way to minimize these risks is for people to look out for the safety and well-being of each other.  This will be inconvenient for some to do.  I ask that we do it anyway.

Thank you,

Steven Vacek, M.D.

Glen Rose HealthCare Inc.

Somervell County Local Health Authority

PRESS RELEASE: Coronavirus COVID-19

June 30, 2020

Somervell County, Texas has a total of 14 cases with 7 residents currently having active infections. 6 of the 7 active cases are in home isolation. 2 patients have been hospitalized, and one of them has recovered at this time.  7 patients have recovered. Tracer activity is ongoing.

The positive test results have been reported to Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Region 2/3 office in accordance with CDC and DSHS guidelines.

Every local resident should continue to follow Open Texas guidelines and make their best personal decision to protect themselves, their families, and businesses as we continue to work through this pandemic together.

As a reminder, social gathering is becoming more of a risk due to increasing prevalence in our community. Wearing a mask is strongly recommended for all indoor activities with groups, especially if social distancing is not possible. I believe it is a matter of time before our numbers take another jump.

Please note, hand sanitizer made by Eskbiochem may be contaminated by wood alcohol (methanol) and can be toxic. It is only the manufacturer that the FDA has identified as having this problem.

Please be mindful that we are all neighbors, respect the privacy of others and follow the HIPAA guidelines.  It is Glen Rose Medical Center’s policy not to release any demographic or patient information due to HIPAA law.

Want to know more?

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website and Texas 2-1-1 remain the best sources of information for Somervell residents regarding COVID-19 testing and self-protection measures. DSHS updates their county-by-county tracking map daily at https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.

SOCO COVID

Thank you,

Steven Vacek, M.D.

Glen Rose HealthCare Inc.

Somervell County Local Health Authority

PRESS RELEASE: Coronavirus COVID-19

June 25, 2020

Somervell County, Texas has a total of 13 cases with 10 residents currently having active infections. 9 of the 13 are in home isolation. One has been hospitalized. Tracer activity is ongoing.

The positive test results have been reported to Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Region 2/3 office in accordance with CDC and DSHS guidelines.

Every local resident should continue to follow Open Texas guidelines and make their best personal decision to protect themselves, their families, and businesses as we continue to work through this pandemic together.

As a reminder, social gathering is becoming more of a risk due to increasing prevalence in our community. Wearing a mask is strongly recommended for all indoor activities with groups, especially if social distancing is not possible. I believe it is a matter of time before our numbers take another jump.

Please note, hand sanitizer made by Eskbiochem may be contaminated by wood alcohol (methanol) and can be toxic. It is only the manufacturer that the FDA has identified as having this problem.

Please be mindful that we are all neighbors, respect the privacy of others and follow the HIPAA guidelines.  It is Glen Rose Medical Center’s policy not to release any demographic or patient information due to HIPAA law.

Want to know more?

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website and Texas 2-1-1 remain the best sources of information for Somervell residents regarding COVID-19 testing and self-protection measures. DSHS updates their county-by-county tracking map daily at https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.

Thank you,

Steven Vacek, M.D.

Glen Rose HealthCare Inc.

Somervell County Local Health Authority

PRESS RELEASE: Coronavirus COVID-19

June 20, 2020

Somervell County, Texas has 3 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, 8 total cases with 6 residents currently having active infections.  5 of the 6 are in home isolation. One has been hospitalized. Tracer activity is ongoing. There is no evidence of sustained community spread at this time.

The positive test results have been reported to Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Region 2/3 office in accordance with CDC and DSHS guidelines.

Every local resident should continue to follow Open Texas guidelines and make their best personal decision to protect themselves, their families, and businesses as we continue to work through this pandemic together.

I support Open Texas, but I believe we remain at Substantial Risk of COVID-19 transmission.  We have seen persistently high numbers and percentages of new positive cases documented in other North Texas counties over the past week. Transmission continues at peak levels across the country as communities leave isolation. Once cases demonstrate sustained decline across North Texas, our local risk of transmission will decrease.

When in large groups, especially indoors, masks are strongly recommended.

Please be mindful that we are all neighbors, respect the privacy of others and follow the HIPAA guidelines.  It is Glen Rose Medical Center’s policy not to release any demographic or patient information due to HIPAA law.

Want to know more?

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website and Texas 2-1-1 remain the best sources of information for Somervell residents regarding COVID-19 testing and self-protection measures. DSHS updates their county-by-county tracking map daily at https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.

PRESS RELEASE: Coronavirus COVID-19

June 16, 2020

Somervell County, Texas has a total of 5 confirmed positive active cases of COVID-19, 4 of the 5 patients are quarantining at home. Tracer activity is ongoing. There is no evidence of sustained community spread at this time.

The positive test results have been reported to Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Region 2/3 office in accordance with CDC and DSHS guidelines.

Every local resident should continue to follow Open Texas guidelines and make their best personal decision to protect themselves, their families, and businesses as we continue to work through this pandemic together.

I support Open Texas, but I believe we remain at Substantial Risk of COVID-19 transmission.  We have seen persistently high numbers and percentages of new positive cases documented in other North Texas counties over the past week. Transmission continues at peak levels across the country as communities leave isolation. Once cases demonstrate sustained decline across North Texas, our local risk of transmission will decrease.

When in large groups, especially indoors, masks are strongly recommended.

Please be mindful that we are all neighbors, respect the privacy of others and follow the HIPAA guidelines.  It is Glen Rose Medical Center’s policy not to release any demographic or patient information due to HIPAA law.

Somervell County COVID-19 tests as of today Monday June 16, 2020.

Total PCR Tests Administered: 338

Tests Pending: 19

Tests Positive: 6     (5 Somervell County 1 Hood County)

Antibody Test Administered: 818

Antibody IgG Positive: 6

Antibody Tests Pending: 3

Want to know more?

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website and Texas 2-1-1 remain the best sources of information for Somervell residents regarding COVID-19 testing and self-protection measures. DSHS updates their county-by-county tracking map daily at https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.

PRESS RELEASE: Coronavirus COVID-19

June 8, 2020

Somervell County, Texas has 3 confirmed positive active cases of COVID-19.  Two patients are isolated at home and one patient was transferred to another facility. Tracer activity is ongoing, all appear to be contracted through family contact. There is no evidence of community spread at this time.

The positive test results have been reported to Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Region 2/3 office in accordance with CDC and DSHS guidelines.

Please continue to wear a mask or face covering when in indoors in public, especially at large gatherings following CDC guidelines. Please continue to wash your hands, avoid touching your face and eyes.

Please be mindful that we are all neighbors, respect the privacy of others and follow the HIPAA guidelines.  It is Glen Rose Medical Center’s policy not to release any demographic or patient information due to HIPAA law.

Somervell County COVID-19 tests as of today Monday June 8, 2020.

Total PCR Tests Administered: 285

Tests Pending: 3

Tests Positive: 4 (3 Somervell County 1 Hood County)

Antibody Test Administered: 778

Antibody IgG Positive: 6

Want to know more?

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website and Texas 2-1-1 remain the best sources of information for Somervell residents regarding COVID-19 testing and self-protection measures. DSHS updates their county-by-county tracking map daily at https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.

MOBILE TEST COVID-19

This mobile Coronavirus COVID-19 test collecting unit will be testing people experiencing symptoms of the virus.

The test is by appointment. Please call 512-883-2400 or register online @ TXCOVIDTEST.ORG

WHO: GLEN ROSE MEDICAL CENTER

WHAT: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTING $50

(While they last)

WHEN: THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2020 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

WHERE: SOMERVELL COUNTY EXPO CENTER

Glen Rose Medical Center will host a drive through Antibody test for Coronavius COVID-19. Please know, if you are showing symptoms of the virus you are NOT a candidate for this test.  This testing process is for persons that believe they may have had the virus prior to, or early March or have had an exposure.  This is a blood draw.  No fasting required.

Please follow this process to ensure you receive the proper test for the virus.

• You will have your temperature checked. Be prepared to answer a few screening questions on site. If you are showing symptoms of Coronavirus COVID-19, you will be instructed to contact your primary care physician. This may not be the appropriate test for you.
• Current Symptoms per CDC of COVID-19
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Muscle pain
  • New loss of taste and/or smell
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Sore Throat
  • Repeated shaking with chills
• Please wear a mask or face cover, that covers your nose and mouth. We will not have PPE available for you, if you do not have some type of face covering we will not be able test you at this date.
• Cost for the antibody screening is $50.00 cash, check, credit card

Glen Rose Medical Center has tested its first patient who is positive for COVID=19. The patient is not a resident of Somervell County and will therefore be reported in the numbers of the county of his(her) residence.

The patient has been notified and advised of the appropriate procedures to follow. The State Health Department has also been notified. Glen Rose Medical Center and Glen Rose Healthcare Inc.are open and continue to provide all necessary healthcare services to our patients.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms you should contact your primary care physician or dial 211.

For all other medical emergencies dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

We will continue to keep you informed.

Ray Reynolds, CEO
Glen Rose Medical Center

As of Friday March 27, 2020 there have been no presumptive or positive Coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Somervell County.  However there are confirmed cases in Hood, Johnson and Erath County. Hood and Erath County have “shelter in place orders”. Glen Rose Medical Center is taking precautionary measures to protect patients, staff and the residents of Somervell County.

Glen Rose Medical Center is implementing a number of steps to try and control patient, staff and public exposure to the virus using guideline and advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Texas Department of Public Health.

Please use the Emergency Room for emergencies. If you are experiencing symptoms of the Coronavirus COVID-19, please call your primary healthcare provider or hospital. They will ask you a series of prescreen questions as to provide the best possible care plan for you.  Limiting potential exposure is the best way to slow the progression of the virus.

We are asking that social visits to patients in the hospital be limited to one family member per patient per day, no one under the age of 18 will be permitted.

Upon Entry to the hospital you will be asked a few personal questions and have your temperature taken.  This is for your protection as well as staff, patients and visitors to the hospital.

The main front entrance to the hospital will be open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and will be locked all weekend, you must enter through the emergency room if you are visiting someone or have business in the lab.

Please be patient with us as we navigate through the next several weeks. We want to protect you, our patients as well as staff and visitors.