County COVID-19 cases increase

On Tuesday, April 28, Gonzales County reported its 18th case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, in a county resident. The individual is currently experiencing mild symptoms and is isolating at home. It has been determined that this case is associated with travel outside of Gonzales County but within Texas.

Given the increases in community spread throughout the United States, all individuals are at some risk of exposures to COVID-19. Everyone should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19, practice social distancing, and stay home if they become sick, except to seek necessary medical care. The Texas Department of State Health Services is supporting Gonzales County in identifying any close contacts of the patient, so they can be isolated, monitored for symptoms, and quickly tested, if needed.

This confirmed case is located in the unincorporated area of Gonzales County near Harwood.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 29, Gonzales County Emergency Management’s Jimmy Harless noted that given the increases in community spread, it makes no sense for the state to conduct trace investigation.

“We should assume that the virus is everywhere and act accordingly,” he said. “We certainly don’t want to give a false sense of security about locations that have not been mentioned.”

By Wednesday night, a 19th case was reported.

There are things everyone can do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Minimizing exposure is especially important for people who are 65 or older or who have an underlying health condition like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer. People in those groups have a higher risk of developing severe disease if they do get COVID-19, and the safest thing for them during an outbreak will be to stay home as much as possible and minimize close contact with other people. To get ready, they should talk to their doctor about getting additional prescription medications and have enough household items and groceries on hand to stay home as needed.
The public can find up-to-date coronavirus information at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus. If you have questions about COVID-19, call 2-1-1 option 6.