Confirmed COVID-19 case identified in Gonzales County

Case associated with travel outside the county

Posted

*Editor's Note: Story is updated to add new information on case

Gonzales County is reporting its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Nixon area. Communications have been ongoing between county and city officials, the local healthcare facility and Gonzales County Emergency Management since the report was confirmed.

“It was inevitable that sooner or later, we would have to encounter a positive COVID-19 case in Gonzales County and that has actually happened as of today,” Gonzales County Judge Pat Davis said in a press conference conducted on Facebook Live on Monday.

On Wednesday, April 1, local and state officials determined the case is associated with travel outside the county, but within Texas. 

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.
Judge Davis and city officials from Nixon have been notified.

It is possible that individuals who visited the following locations at the dates and times listed may have been exposed:

  • March 28th: Valero 212 East Central Ave Nixon, TX 78140
  • March 28th: Lowe’s 102 N Nixon Ave Nixon, TX 78140

All individuals are encouraged to follow the guidelines offered by the Texas Department of State Health Services:

  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water; and wash frequently.
  • Avoid touching your face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Keep your distance from other individuals; at least six feet.
  • Avoid contact with sick individuals.
  • All individuals are encouraged to stay home, but especially if you are ill.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Through these precautions and continued social distancing, we can do all our part to slow the spread of this virus.

“This is unbelievable, I’ve never seen anything like this in my lifetime other than the H1N1 which was not as drastic as this has been,” Davis said. “I understand it’s a scary situation, but it’s not the end of the world. Take the precautions to protect yourself and your family. They can definitely help curb the spread of this virus.”

Also on hand for the press conference on Monday was Jimmy Harless, the Gonzales County Emergency Management (GCEM) coordinator.

“Take a deep breath Gonzales, everything is fine,” Harless began.

“I can assure you that the emergency management office here is in contact with the state’s health services folks, the Texas Department of Emergency Management folks and the local hospital and medical providers,” he continued. “Rest assure that everything is fine, that we need to try to keep our first responders and our medical professionals from being inundated with calls and requests. If you feel bad and you’re running a temperature, or you think you may have symptoms, contact your health professional and your doctor first. Do not go to the hospital and get tested. We expected this to happen. All the counties surrounding Gonzales County have had positive cases. We’re now part of that group. We will keep in touch with you.”

The county asks community members to monitor the GCEM Facebook page and to direct any questions about this case to them at 830-672-6209. If there are other questions you may have on the pandemic, call the state hotline at 211 option number 6.

“We’re going to get through this,” Davis said near the end of the conference. “But it’s going to take each and every one of use to be positive and to do their part in curbing the spread of this virus.”

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