Gonzales County reports 2nd case of COVID-19

Gonzales County is reporting the 2nd case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, in a county resident. The individual is currently hospitalized in Victoria County. This case is associated with travel outside of Gonzales County but within Texas. The epidemiological investigation determined that there were not any community exposures associated with this case.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is supporting Gonzales County in identifying any close contacts of the patient while sick, so they can be isolated and monitored for symptoms and quickly tested, if needed.

Gonzales County is being assigned this case because the individual is a resident of Gonzales County. This individual contracted COVID-19 in another county and has not been in the county since contracting the virus.

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.