Hopkins County COVID-19 Testing Update: 2 Recovered; 4 Positive, 115 Negative Tests
While no new positive COVID-19 results have been confirmed for Hopkins County, one additional resident who tested positive for coronavirus has recovered over the last five days, Hopkins County Hospital District COO/Hopkins County EMS Director Brent Smith reported in his April 15 Hopkins County COVID-19 testing update.
That’s two of the four individuals with Hopkins County addresses who tested positive for COVID-19 who have recovered, according to the HCHD/EMS report.
A dozen more screenings were sent for testing over the last 5 days, for a total of 126 COVID-19 screenings conducted for Hopkins County residents over the last 30 days, according to the April 15 report.
Smith too reported 18 additional test results came back negative this week, for a total of 115 negative COVID-19 tests. That left only seven results still pending as of April 15, down from 13 pending just 5 days ago
Hopkins County has had no reported COVID-19 deaths as of 10:30 a.m. April 15, according to the Hopkins County COVID-19 testing update.
| HOPKINS COUNTY COVID-19 TESTING TOTALS AS OF: | March 21, 2020 | March 27, 2020 | March 30, 2020 | April 2, 2020 | April 6, 2020 | April 10, 2020 | April 15, 2020 |
| Total Confirmed Positive Cases | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Total Confirmed Negative Tests | NA | NA | 16 | 41 | 65 | 97 | 115 |
| Total Pending Cases As Of | NA | NA | 44 | 32 | 20 | 13 | 7 |
| Total Screenings Sent for Testing As Of | 31 | 53 | 62 | 76 | 89 | 114 | 126 |
| Total Confirmed COVID-19 Patients who Have Recovered | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| COVID-Related Deaths | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Overall, 184 of Texas’ 254 counties have reported positive cases of COVID-19. In Northeast Texas, Red River and Marion Counties remained the only counties that have reported no confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the April 15 Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services data.
As of the April 15 report, 138 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Texas, for a total of 364 fatalities reported by DSHS and HHS. The number of Texas patients who have recovered from COVID-19 more than doubled during the last five days, increasing from 1,366 to 3,150 as of the April 15 report.
Throughout the state, 55,892 additional COVID-19 screenings have been sent for testing over the last five days, up to 151,810 total screenings for Texas as of the noon April 15 reporting.
An additional 3,821 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed throughout the state during that time; that brings the total of Texas cases to 15,492. Six more lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in Texas hospitals than were reported on April 10, for a total of 1,538 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals as of the April 15 report.
| TEXAS Reports (DSHS/HHS) | April 10, 2020 | April 15, 2020 |
| Total tests | 115,918 | 151,810 |
| Cases reported | 11,671 | 15,492 |
| Lab Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Currently In Texas Hospitals | 1,532 | 1,538 |
| Estimated Number of Patients Recovered | 1,366 | 3,150 |
| Fatalities | 226 | 364 |
While the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases remains small and unchanged for the last 11 days in Hopkins County, all four cases are presumed to be community spread, Hopkins County Emergency Management Team has reported over the last 30 days.
Thus, local officials urge everyone to continue practicing social distancing, proper hand-washing techniques, good hygiene, and the stay at home, stay safe guidelines established by Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s March 31 Executive Order, and in the Hopkins County public health emergency disaster declaration. Doing so will help keep the Hopkins County positive number low by helping to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 through the community during the duration of the stay home, stay safe order.
Cumby City Council Did Not Adopt Proposed Ordinance Regarding Executive Order Violations
Cumby City Council Tuesday night after discussion opted not to adopt the proposed “Ordinance 2020-04-01 authorizing law enforcement officer to perform traffic stops for any violation of executive order(s) issued by the Governor of the State of Texas declaring a state of disaster,” such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ordinance, as proposed, would have given city the police department the authority to enforce the rules and regulations set forth in the the Governor’s Executive Orders. This includes “the authority to perform traffic stops and issuing tickets to individuals violating,” provided they are unable to provide to the police officer proof of exception or exemption at the time of the traffic stop. Violations, according to the proposed Cumby ordinance, would be punishable according to the Governor’s Order, with a fine up to $200.
During the meeting, conducted via Zoom conferencing, Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Department Chief Andy Endsley noted that Cumby partners with the county for emergency management for disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The mayor and police chief teleconference, along with all county stakeholders, three times a week, to coordinated efforts in matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The only city in Hopkins County that has its own emergency management coordinator is the City of Sulphur Springs, and they are part of the Hopkins County Emergency Management Team that daily assesses the COVID-19 situation as it relates to Hopkins County.
The Executive Order issued March 31 by Governor Abbott, along with the public health emergency disaster designation issued by Judge Robert Newsom on April 1 and extended April 6 by Hopkins County Commissioners Court, applies to the City of Cumby as well.
“You work off our basic plan. Maybe it’s an oversight, he didn’t put any fines in, if someone is out of order. If they are not going to an essential job without staying home, you can go with what the Governor said. It’s a Class B misdemeanor. The City of Cumby would not get anything out of that side of it,” Endsley said.
The county emergency management official noted that at this time, Hopkins County has had only four confirmed positive cases, although many have been tested. That is considered a small number compared to some other nearby counties. Of those, two have recovered from the virus, the County Judge Robert Newsom has reported.
A lot of people, Endsley said, are abiding by the stay at home order, not only in the city of Cumby but in Hopkins County. Endsley said continuing to follow the stay at home order, except for “essential workers” or essential activities such as medical appointments or going to the grocery store, and practicing social distancing will help reduce potential spread of COVID-19 and keep the number of coronavirus patients low in Hopkins County.
While counties and cities can’t go against the Governor’s order, they can add more stringent provisions, Endsley said.
“So, we do not really need to act on this?” Cumby Mayor Doug Simmerman asked.
“Not really. When Judge Newsom enacted it, we got you covered,” Endsley said. “I believe this was placed on agenda before you and I talked today.”
Cumby Alderman Julie Morris asked if Sulphur Springs has a law in place that would allow a police officer to stop someone driving down the street, if the officer thinks an individual is not doing the proper thing, like going to work or to the grocery store, and issue a ticket for a violation.
Endsley noted that the City of Sulphur Springs’ basic plan had been amended, but theirs is “not as broad as ours is.” He said while the Governor’s Executive Order would allow Class B misdemeanor tickets or charges to be filed for violation, “you would not really benefit from it” financially.
Endsley reiterated the safe at home order was issued by the Governor and the local declaration by the county judge and commissioners court, for people to leave home only for essential needs such as the grocery store, medical needs or employment. Most employers provide employees with information pertaining to the essential order and their jobs.
The emergency management coordinator also noted Interstate 30 running through Cumby is a major thoroughfare for not only people from Hopkins County and Texas, but other states passing through for various reasons including in the course of business as well as personal reasons, which would likely be hard to police and make determinations regarding executive orders.
When asked if the City of Cumby is planning to pull people over to ask for proof of where they are going and for what purpose, Mayor Simmerman said someone pulled over for another violation might get questioned regarding their reason for traveling during the course of the traffic stop.
Endsley said that’s the case for most law enforcement; if they ask an individual about reason for travels, it’s after being pulled over for a traffic violation or contacted for another matter. It’s “highly unlikely” an officer would ever pull someone over just to pull them over, or just to ask if they are traveling for essential or exceptional reasons, according to the emergency management coordinator.
“During normal everyday operations, law enforcement can choose to do that, can enquire about it if they wish,” Endsley said.
After discussion, Cumby City Council determined, with the county declaration in place to support the Governor’s Executive Order, no action was needed on the part of the City of Cumby city for the proposed ordinance “authorizing law enforcement officers to perform traffic stops for any violation of executive order(s) issued by the Governor of the State of Texas declaring a state of disaster; providing a penalty for violation of such executive order(s), proving a savings clause and a severability clause; and providing an effective date.”
Why Kids Should Stay Active While Learning From Home
By Johanna Hicks, Extension Agent, Family & Community Health Agent
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, online lessons and homeschooling are the new normal in education. How does physical activity fit into this new mode of learning? Hildi Nicksic, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M, explains why physical activity is important for students during this time.
Most of us are familiar with the physical benefits of activity and exercise, but it also helps with brain health and cognition. Higher fitness levels are associated with higher grades and test scores compared to those with lower fitness levels. Nicksic states that individuals tend to respond faster and more accurately to questions directly after being physically active.
With our nation at a standstill and our population quarantined, students are staying home instead of attending school. This means they are not experiencing physical education class or structured recess. Quality physical education programs are essential in teaching children skills that will enable them to adopt physically active lifestyles. Without access to physical education, we are missing the opportunity to engage children in structured movement designed to promote physical literacy. In addition to lacking access to physical education, the closure of schools combined with the work-from-home mandates has the potential to increase the amount of time children are sedentary. Spending the day at home increases the likelihood that children will also use screens recreationally.
Physical activity is strongly linked to psychological health. Physical activity releases endorphins, a protein important in the regulation of stress. Therefore, physical activity plays a therapeutic role in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Not only can exercise decrease stress and enhance mood, but choosing to exercise can generate a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of control, further supporting mental health.
What can parents do to ensure their children are staying active? The simple answer here is to be active and to encourage activity. One positive result of the social isolation requirement is that people seem to be embracing the opportunity to go for a run, or a walk, or a bike ride. It is critically important to stay home and maintain social distancing, but our shelter-in-place regulations permit outdoor exercise. Getting outside, especially when we are cooped up indoors for a majority of the day, positively impacts mental health. It’s inspiring to see people of all ages out walking, running, bike riding…and we could all use some inspiration right now. So let’s get active.
Hopkins County Family & Community Health Facebook
If you are involved in social media – Facebook, in particular – be sure to check out my Facebook page! The Hopkins County Family & Community Health Facebook page is loaded with great ideas for activities to do with students, information on no-cost on-line courses, such as “Cooking Well: Exploring Cultures” and “Cooking Well with Friends,” and slow-cooker tips, plus much more!
Closing Thought
Your future depends on many things, but mostly on you. – Frank Tyger
Chamber Connection – April 16
Here is the latest update for Hopkins County …
Chamber of Commerce
We are postponing our Chamber Golf Tournament to Friday, June 19. Our lobby is closed to visitors at this time. We have forwarded our phones and will be answering them Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Maloy Landfill
The Republic Services, Maloy landfill location, will temporally change our Saturday hours starting Saturday, April 11. Moving forward our Saturday hours will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. We will continue these reduced Saturday hours until Governor Abbott relinquishes the social distancing and shelter-in-place policies. Thank you for your understanding in these uncertain times.
Library, Senior Citizen Center
The Library is staffed and taking online reserves for books and offering curbside pickup. We are answering phones, assisting patrons, and answering many kinds of questions. We also offer free, no password, 24/7 WIFI from the parking lot! Meal-A-Day is still making daily deliveries.
Restaurants
All restaurant sit-down dining has been halted until April 30. Most have moved to curbside service and some are even offering home delivery. Just call ahead and visit with your favorite restaurant, and they will bring your food out to you. You can also visit “Takeout Together” on Facebook and Instagram. This is a place where restaurants are publishing current information and items they are offering.
Banking
Most financial institutions have closed their lobbies are banking by appointment. Most transactions can be handled online, and they are also available by phone.
Shopping
Most clothing stores are offering online shopping, curbside pickup, and even doorstep delivery. Please, please don’t forget about your favorite place to shop during this time. They are all fearful and need your help!
Groceries
Our grocery stores have changed their hours of operation. They are closing at night to disinfect and re-stock shelves. They are also limiting quantities of items that you can purchase. Hopefully, this will help distribute goods in a more effective manner.
Pharmacies
Our pharmacies are open. Some have closed their lobbies but can be reached through the drive through or curbside service.
Museums
All museums are closed to the public. Most of them still have staffers and can be reached by phone. Main St. Theatre is also closed.
Hotels
All of our hotels are open for business and have increased their cleaning protocols.
Energy Companies
Our energy companies have closed their lobbies to visitors but can be reached by phone if needed.
Insurance companies
Most of our insurance companies have closed their lobbies, but they are open and going strong by phone and email.
Hospital
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
School districts in Hopkins County
All school districts in Hopkins County have moved to online learning.
SSISD
SSISD Food Services is providing FREE meals for ALL SSISD students AND any community children who are between the ages of 1-18. Meals will be available for pick-up each Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. until further notices. Students will be able to pick up one breakfast and one lunch meal at this time. Students do not have to attend any one of these campuses to participate. Pick-up areas will be curbside grab-and-go and will be held at the following locations across Sulphur Springs:
*SSES (Lee Street bus lane)
*Bowie (Mockingbird Lane student drop off/pick up lane)
*Bush (South bus lane circle to awning), and
*Douglass (Calvert Street awning).
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office, Civic Center
Both are open with limited staff.
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for April 16, Cross Motor Sales.
Update: Cumby City Council To Consider Allowing Police To Make Traffic Stops for Executive Order Violations
Special Election, A Sewer Line Repair Also On April 14 Cumby City Council Agenda
Cumby City Council has a full agenda for Tuesday evening’s meeting, which will be conducted beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 14 via Zoom.
Zoom Meeting
The Council had planned to stream the meeting on YouTube for community members to view, with a designated phone number will be provided for community comments at the designated time. However, due to technical issues, the city will be conducting it strictly on zoom.
“We were unable to get the YouTube channel to stream the meeting. We are going to be inviting the public to view through zoom. I spent several days working on it with our IT guy and still had no luck. I apologize for the short notice so please share with our fellow Cumby citizens. At the beginning of the meeting the Mayor will go over some things so that we all are able to hear and participate,” City Secretary Codi Reynolds posted on the city’s Facebook page this afternoon.
To join the Zoom meeting at 6 p.m. tonight, click this link: https://zoom.us/j/96827214490.
The Meeting ID is 968 2721 4490.
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Meeting ID: 968 2721 4490
Click here to find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acM3oepTI1
The meeting may also be accessed by clicking the link on the City website: https://cityofcumby.com/
On the Agenda
The council has been asked by Hunt County to consider allowing Cumby’s “territorial limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction” which falls within the proposed Hunt County Emergency Services District No. 1″ to be part of the ESD.
The City Council is also being asked to consider canceling the Special Election called May 2 to fill Alderman Places 1 and 2 on the council.
An ordinance is also proposed which would authorize law enforcement officer to perform traffic stops for any violation of executive orders issued by the Governor declaring a state of disaster.
A cost estimate from Hayter Engineering for repair of a main sewer line on Depot Street, establishment of a Court Security Committee the City-wide Clean Up and appointment of a local rabies authority are also on the 6:30 p.m. council agenda.
CASA on Child Abuse Prevention in April and Blue Sunday on April 26
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a month of great significance to CASA, a national organization of volunteers which judges appoint to speak for the safety and well-being of abused and neglected children. April is a time when the CASA organization seeks to make the public more aware of what they do, and the growing need for volunteers. Blue Sunday is a day set aside for prayer for victims of child abuse and those who are dedicated to helping them.
What is a CASA? When a child enters the child welfare system because his or her home is no longer safe due to abuse or neglect, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer to advocate for the best interest of the child in court and other settings. That volunteer is called a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA. Each year, thousands of children in Texas are removed from their homes because of evidence of abuse and neglect. Lake Country CASA, a part of the Texas CASA non-profit organization, serves cases of child abuse and neglect reported in Hopkins, Rains and Franklin Counties. It’s volunteers work to ensure that every child who needs an advocate to speak for his or her best interests before the courts has a caring, trained adult to help them with this difficult period of his or her life. In 2019, there were 24 CASA volunteers serving 138 children within the three counties.
Where is the CASA office? Headquartered in Connolly Street in Sulphur Springs, Lake Country CASA Director is Gena Law who shares, “more CASA volunteers are needed! You can become an advocate to a child in foster care by volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Over 50 children enter state care each day in Texas. There are Hopkins County (Franklin and Rains Counties, too) children right now that need a CASA advocate. Every child deserves a safe, happy future”. The volunteer status of the CASAs ensures that the children’s well-being remains the sole objective of the CASAs. Contact Lake Country CASA to learn how you can be a voice to make a difference in a child’s life. To learn more about volunteering, Call: (903) 885-1173 or email them at: [email protected]
What is Blue Sunday? According to Sarah Goggans, Volunteer Recruiter for Lake Country Casa, Blue Sunday 2019 will be April 26, a day set aside to pray for child abuse victims and the people dedicated to helping them. Local churches are among those which are publicizing the importance of Blue Sunday for CASA. Everyone is encouraged to join in.
Lake Country CASA Mission
To be a voice for abused and neglected children through the power of volunteer advocacy and change in the child protection system.
Volunteer Training
Volunteers get to know the child by talking with everyone in that child’s life; parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers and others. They use the information they gather to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will be the best permanent home for them.
CASA trains and supports passionate adults who fight for a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity, and to learn and grow in the security of a loving family.
Dr. Matthew M. Johnson, CHRISTUS Interventional Pain Management Therapy
At CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Pain Management, Dr. Matthew Johnson is seeing patients with neck, back and joint pain and other types of pain. “From head to toe, including headaches, neck pain, middle back and lower back pain, diabetic nerve pain, sciatica, compression fractures, even patients with failed neck and back surgery syndromes, we treat these complaints and more. Therapies have been developed that weren’t available in the past, and as these evolve, we are helping patients find help with managing pain”. Procedures by Dr. Johnson are same-day, performed under sedation at CHRISTUS MOther Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. Patients can be referred by their primary care provider, and patient self-referrals are welcome on a case by case basis.
During a KSST interview, Dr. Johnson detailed many types of pain that cause someone to seek a doctor’s care. “Although many complaints are at times suffered without the patient seeking a doctor, pain usually isn’t one of these. When people have chronic pain, they usually seek help. Our services include therapies for cancer pain, spinal stenosis, herniated discs and many, many other pain-related conditions. Persons who have had even two or more back surgeries to seek relief and who still are experiencing pain are candidates for help. Nerve damage can trigger pain. Inflammation is also a cause of pain, and as we age, inflammation can become more and more of a problem. Arthritis is a condition caused by inflammation. For some, pain from standing and walking is relieved by sitting down. That’s often where spinal therapies are useful. Also, Lumbar Decompression Therapy is useful for patients who may not be candidates for surgery due to age or other health concerns”.
Dr. Johnson is originally from Longview, Texas, was educated at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio and performed residency and Fellowship at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ. He is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and has been in practice for 5 years. ‘For persons wishing to reach out to our practice, we are located inside CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Pain Management at 113 Medical Drive, OR they can phone the office at 903-885-1740. Also find out more about us at CHRISTUStrinityclinic.org.”
Four Murder Suspects Have Bond Set At $2 Million Each
Capital Murder charges are pending for four suspects believed to be involved in the murder of a Hispanic male over Easter weekend. Bond has been set at $2 million for each of the suspects.
A Sulphur Springs woman and three men remain in custody at Hopkins County jail on a capital murder charge, allegedly stemming from a dispute involving rent and payment, according to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum. The victim was allegedly beaten at a Sulphur Springs address on April 10, then burned in a vehicle, according to sheriff’s reports.
Arrested for capital murder were Charli Ciera Wadley-Hodges, 24; German Manuel Ibarra, 31; Jesus Antonio-Hernandez, 40; and Maximino Manuel Ibarra, 29.
German Manuel Ibarra 
Charli Ciera Wadley-Hodges
Jesus Antonio-Hernandez 
Maximino Manuel Ibarra
“Through very hard work by all officers involved, they were able to identify the deceased person in the vehicle as Luis Martin Medina-Medina, approximately 50 year old Hispanic male who resided in Sulphur Springs,” according to Tatum.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was reportedly contacted at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, April 12, by a rural resident who reported finding a burned truck with what appeared to be a body inside of it on County Road 1186, according to sheriff’s reports. Tatum stated when the deputies arrived at the location they observed a body in the back floor board of the pickup truck.
Deputies contacted the HCSO Criminal Investigation Department and all four responded to the scene. Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings pronounced the deceased and ordered an autopsy; John Vance with the Texas Rangers was also contacted for assistance, according to Tatum.
During the course of the investigation, officers reportedly spoke to multiple people, including all four suspects.
“It is believed at this time that there was a dispute involving rent and payment that led to Medina losing his life. Medina was injured at his residence and eventually taken by parties involved to the County Road 1186 location,” Tatum said.
Sheriff Lewis Tatum offers thanks to everyone involved in this very difficult investigation, because of their hard work and dedication this case was solved in a timely manner.”
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On 2 Warrants
A 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Saturday night at Sulphur Springs Lake on two warrants.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Chris Baumann went to Sulphur Springs Lake. They contacted James Brandon Cockrell, who was in a Ford F150 pickup at the north boat ramp around 10 p.m. April 11, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Deputies requested communications operators conduct a records check using the man’s identifying information. Dispatcher reported the 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man to be wanted on two warrants, according to arrest reports.
Thus, deputies took Cockrell into custody at 10:23 p.m. April 11 for bond forfeiture on a September 2019 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge and an outstanding Hunt County violation of bond/protective order charge. His vehicle was released to his parents and Cockrell was transported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office jail, according to arrest reports.
Cockrell remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, April 13. His bond was set at $100,000 on the aggravated assault charge and $5,000 on the Hunt County warrant, according to arrest and jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Hosting Blood Drive April 15
Sulphur Springs, Texas, April 14, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
A special THANK YOU to all who have dropped off supplies, treats, meals, drinks, donated PPE and other equipment, make financial donations, etc. for our hospital and our associates. We are forever grateful! We are extremely proud of our associates on the frontline serving this community every day.
HEROES work here!
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- (1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- (1) Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16 years-old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- Effective 4/6/2020 ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Services
CHRISTUS Virtual Medicine
At CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, our goal is keeping our patients healthy and well. By expanding our services to offer video and telephone visits, we provide patients a convenient alternative to in-office visits for simple illnesses, including a cough or cold, to more complicated conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Go online to ChristusVirtualMedicine.org and schedule your appointment today! You may also call 903.606.DOCS to schedule.
COVID Health Chatbot
In an effort to help respond to questions and concerns regarding COVID-19, we have added the COVID Health Chatbot on our websites to help with triage and to ease concerns. The dedicated tool offers self-screening information for the virus, which will in turn provide direction on what next steps are needed based on the information given. The Chatbot is available 24/7, and the clinical pathways that guide our Chatbot were edited and verified by CHRISTUS clinical experts and will direct patients to the best care locally.
Clinic Hours of Operation
In light of recent events, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic operational hours have temporarily changed; CTC Urgent Care is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. CTC Primary Care hours remain the same as usual. For CTC Specialty Clinics, please reach out to your specialty provider for as these may vary.
Events
Carter Blood Drive
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will host a blood drive at the Medical Office Building – Plaza Conference Room (113 Airport Road, first floor) on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Patricia Wilson at 903.438.4380.
Community Preparedness
COVID-19
We want to be perfectly clear: CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not. From physicians and nurses, quality and safety experts to those responsible for ordering supplies and keeping the hospital clean – all our Associates are involved in making sure we provide a safe environment for our patients. Every single day.
To be connected to our CHRISTUS COVID Hotline, call 1.800.458.4559.
For more information on COVID-19 and preventive measures, please visit www.CDC.gov.
