With three presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Hays County and more expected, officials are calling for calm and cooperation, urging the public to observe social distancing and proper hygiene as local authorities rely on plans and protocols already in place.
County Judge Ruben Becerra issued a state of disaster declaration on Sunday effective for seven days. On Monday, the Commissioner Court extended that for 120 days unless it is suspended before then.
Becerra’s declaration was announced at a Sunday press conference in the rotunda of the county courthouse in downtown San Marcos. At the time, only one presumptive case had been identified, but officials were mum, however, on details of the specific patient, saying only that the person is 44 and became symptomatic after returning from visiting several cities on the West Coast.
Whoever it is, they were savvy enough to directly contact Eric Schneider, the county’s epidemiologist.
Schneider said the patient then went to an unspecified hospital from an unspecified Hays County city. The hospital, he said, had all proper procedures in place, bringing the patient in through a side door.
The patient was later discharged and is “recovering at home, as the majority of people will.”
Schneider said the patient did not come into contact with anyone else in Hays County and that the CDC, which has been briefed on the case, will identify and inform anyone that shared a flight with the presumptive case. A definitive diagnosis, either positive or negative, is expected within days.
No details were released following the second and third cases, both of which were announced Monday, citing federal HIPPA rules governing patient privacy.
“What you see is only the tip of the spear,” County Judge Ruben Becerra said in the rotunda of the courthouse. He noted that unlike some natural disaster, water, electricity and the supply chain have not been affected, calling the plans in place “locally executed, state coordinated and federally supported. This declaration is confusing but that’s why we’re doing this – to stay ahead of things and to solidify and open other channels of resources.”
Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell acknowledged the the city, like the “majority of the planet,” has “been through a wringer.” However, he added, “We’re in good hands … we’re very much prepared for whatever scenario comes forward.”
He encouraged the public to remain calm and practice good hygiene, and called attention to the most vulnerable – the elderly and people with underlying conditions that put them at higher risk as well as those who might be food insecure or experiencing homelessness.
“There are also significant consequences to the local business community,” Mitchell said, asking people to find ways to support those businesses “who are suffering economically.”
“We’ve got this,” said Buda Mayor George Haehn said. “It’s not a declaration of emergency. Our hair is not on fire.”
Calling for people not to panic, Haehn noted, “Will you get sick? Maybe. Will you still be able to buy stuff? Yes.”
Rebecca Minnick, Wimberley major pro tem, noted that her community not only has an older demographic but is a tourist destination, both of which could place residents at higher risk.
“We are a small town and don’t have a hospital or a lot of medical resources, so it’s more important to coordinate,” she said.
Kyle City Council member Alex Villalobos, who also serves as the county’s emergency management coordinator, assured the public that plans for this type of situation were made weeks ago.
“My job is to coordinate, talk to agencies and continue to be a student of this particular incident so I can inform all my partners and we can stay out ahead of this as best we can.”
He suggested people consult not only their city and county web sites but also haysinformed.com.
State Rep. Erin Zwiener said her office is working with others to ensure resources reach local communities. “Encouage people to follow the advice of your local officials,” she said.
Schneider went on to point out the COVID-19 virus is not always lethal. “It’s not ebola.”
“A lot of people in Hays County will probably end up getting the disease, the majority can stay home like you would with a cold or the flu,” Schneider said. “Stay hydrated. Go back to your normal life after 48 hours of being fever free.” He did, however, stress that there’s “No magic cure for COVID-19. There’s not a pill they can give you …let it run its course and you can go back to your daily life.” Officials with the Centers for Disease Control have since said that post-fever quarantine time should be increased to 72 hours without medication.
Rachel Ingle, emergency management coordinator for the city of San Marcos, said there were no plans to limit the size of gatherings. Within hours after the press conference, however, the CDC imposed a national ban on gathering of 50 people or more. And on Monday, San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson announced a prohibition on gatherings of 50 people or more until May 11, and also ordered the closure of facilities including the public library, activity and senior center.
On Tuesday, the county announced a COVID-19 hotline, 512,972-5555.
