Press Release: August 13, 2020
PRESS RELEASE: Coronavirus COVID-19
August 13, 2020
Somervell County, Texas now has a total of 134 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 26 of our residents currently have active infections. We currently have two patients in the hospital, and all other active cases are currently under in-home isolation and care. Using the guidelines from the State of Texas DSHS, we currently have 2 county residents who have died as a result of their COVID-19 infections. Our condolences and prayers go out to their families and friends. We also have had two known deaths of patients who either died with COVID-19, but from another cause, or dies shortly after recovering from their COVID-19 infection. Again, our thought and prayers go out to their families and friends during these very trying times. All of these patients had significant medical problems and/or risk factors. We have had 106 residents recover from this illness.
We currently have significant evidence of community and institutional spread in Somervell County, as well as in our neighboring counties. A large percentage of our community spread is between family members. This does continue to increase the risk level to all Somervell County residents. Contact tracer activity is ongoing with all new positive results, and all results are being reported to the State of Texas per DSHS guidelines.
COVID-19 will continue to impact our community. Now that we have gone back to school, I would like to remind people that social distancing, aggressive hand hygiene, and wearing masks in appropriate situations, are the best ways to protect themselves from getting the virus. Those sane recommendations help to protect others, especially in the event someone has become infected, and has yet to show any signs or symptoms of the disease. Data suggests that the 24 hours prior to the onset of the illness, is the most infectious point in the course of the illness.
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, there has been a slight decrease in new cases over the last week. I am hopeful we may have peaked. We will know a lot more in the coming 3-4 weeks. It is very hard to predict, now that we have gone back to school, how this will affect the rate of infections in our community. We will continue to monitor the situation carefully. I feel very comfortable in saying that I believe Mr. Rotan, the teachers, and staff of GRISD are doing everything they can to decrease the risks that this infection will pose to our children, and by extension, to our families. This plan is very thorough, and comprehensive. It also mitigates the risks to our teachers and staff and will help to keep them healthy as well. Parents, please recognize, that if your child is ill, it is not ok to give them Tylenol or ibuprofen in order to get them to school. Please keep your children home if they are sick.
Unfortunately, further deaths in our community from COVID-19 are going to be difficult to avoid. Please continue to work together to minimize these risks.
As a community, look out for the safety and well-being of each other, especially the elderly and frail in our community. Please wear masks in appropriate settings, practice social distancing, and good hand hygiene. (I know I said that before…….but it is worth repeating!)
I appreciate you all for your continued time and efforts in fighting this disease, none of us are in this alone. Together we can keep our community strong, safe, and moving forward.
Thank you!
Steven Vacek, M.D.
Glen Rose HealthCare Inc.
Somervell County Local Health Authority