Hopkins County Emergency Management Team Monday, March 30, reported a third positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Hopkins County, marking the second case reported in two days. The individual, as was the case with the two prior who tested positive for Coronavirus, is in isolation, the HCEMT reported.
Very little is known about the case, as the Department of State Health Services takes over the investigation after the case is confirmed; if and when officials receive additional information that can be shared with the public they will released it. They were just notified of the third case Monday afternoon, the local officials reported.
The first case was reported on Tuesday, March 24, the second case was reported on Sunday, March 29. The county has had 62 potential cases that met the requirements for testing in Hopkins County in the last 15 days. As of March 27, 44 cases were pending results, 16 cases were confirmed negative through screening either by a local healthcare provider or DSHS, Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS reported at 10 a.m. Monday. Monday afternoon, one of the 44 pending cases came back with a positive result, marking the third positive COVID-19 case in the county, HCEMT reported.
The HCEMT stressed the important as more cases of COVID-19 are diagnosed for people to continue practicing social distancing, and remaining at home when not necessary. While no shelter at home order is in place, the need to reduce spread of germs by staying in grows with each case, the officials reported.
“We want to remind people only one person needs to leave the house to get supplies. Use common sense to not leave house when not required. We want businesses to not suffer. You can still go to get supplies. Only one person should go to get food. If you take them, kids should stay in car with another adult or the kids should be left at the house with another adult. We’ve had a lot report seeing families going to Walmart shopping as family. Only one person out of the household needs to leave the house to get supplies. Even if they are shopping at Lowe’s or wherever else, it’s still OK to get supplies, but please use only one member of thee household to get them,” Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump urged.
The HCEMT encourages community members to follow the guidelines listed on the Texas Department of State Health Services website; they also are available in Spanish by clicking here or on the Hopkins County Texas Emergency Management Facebook page where all updates are being posted.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator (HCFD Chief) Andy Endsley and Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Coordinator (SSPD Chief) Jason Ricketson urge heed the social distancing orders from the President, Governor Greg Abbott, Hopkins County Commissioners Court and Judge Robert Newsom. The orders recommend people who do gather keeps groups to 10 people or less. They remind people the importance of no social gatherings at this time to slow down the spread of illness in the community.
The emergency management officials also asked via their Facebook page for any business that has certified n95 masks to spare or for sale, to text or call Sulphur Springs Fire Department at 903-335-0300.
