Could Falls County see a surge of Coronavirus?

With Governor Greg Abbott’s reopening of Texas, Falls County residents are curious whether the numbers they are seeing in the county are accurate.

Last week, Falls County had been riding on a single recovered case for nearly a month. 

On Monday it was announced that there were two more cases confirmed, both still active.

“Am I pretty sure we have three, four or five more,” Falls County Judge Jay Elliott said today when asked about a rumor of additional cases beside the two. “Yes, but until the Texas Department of Health tells me so, I don’t have it.” 

“The reality is, we probably have had a lot more cases than that, but people just didn’t know they were sick,” he continued. “They just thought it was a bad cold.”

Elliott confirmed that of the 38 tests done at Falls Community Hospital and Clinic, none have come back positive. 

“Every one of our positive tests has been out of the county,” he explained. “I think it’s been in Bell County.”

When asked how he plans to move forward if there are more cases confirmed, the judge stated he was still waiting on clarification.

“We may not have the ability to keep it closed; to contradict the governor’s order,” he said. “I’ve got to play it by ear.”

A county’s confirmed cases are counted by positive test results, meaning there could be many untested positive cases. 

One of the individuals whose confirmed status was announced Monday outed herself on Facebook that evening, noting the same thing.

“They are assuming my husband has it too,” the post read. “but he’s not counted as a positive case because he was not tested.”

The Center for Disease Control continues to recommend that social distancing and hygiene practices be followed:

Wash your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and put distance between yourself and others. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus, so keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick, meaning that everyone, with the exception of those two years of age or younger, should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected; it is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• If you do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Immediately throw any used tissues in the trash. After that, immediately wash your hands as noted above.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water, then use a household disinfectant. 

Head to the CDC website for more information on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.