Testing today at wtc!

The COVID-19 testing site is open TODAY and they do have some available time slots. Visit txcovidtest.org or call 512-883-2400 to schedule your appointment.

REopen Texas

On April 17, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott established the Strike Force To Open Texas, by Executive Order GA-17.

The Governor released his Governor’s Report to Open Texas on April 27, 2020.

In accordance with Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-18, the following are the minimum recommended health protocols for Texas as outlined in the report.

Minimum Recommended Health Protocols (PDFs)

• Minimum Standard Health Protocols for COVID-19

• Protocols for Individuals

• Protocols for all Employers

• Protocols for Retailers

• Protocols for Retail Customers

• Protocols for Retailer to Go

• Protocols for Restaurants

• Protocols for Restaurant Customers

• Protocols for Movie Theaters

• Protocols for Movie Theater Customers

• Protocols for Museums and Libraries

• Protocols for Museum and Library Visitors

• Protocols for Outdoor Sport Participants

• Protocols for Churches and Places of Worship

• Protocols for Single Person Offices

Attestation for Rural Counties With Five or Fewer Laboratory Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

Rural counties may, on an individualized basis, increase capacity for restaurants, retail, and/or movie theaters if the county judge certifies and affirms to DSHS that the standards have been investigated and confirmed to be met.

The attestation form (PDF) is to be completed by the county judge and emailed to coronavirus@dshs.texas.gov. Please use the term “Attestation” in the subject line of the email for proper routing.

Previous Executive Orders to Begin the Process of Re-Opening the State of Texas

On April 17, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued several Executive Orders to begin the process of re-opening the state of Texas:

• Executive Order GA-16 authorizes the re-opening of retail businesses under a temporary "Retail-To-Go" model effective April 24. Review the updated Retailer-To-Go guidance.

• Executive Order GA-15 authorizes licensed healthcare facilities to resume elective surgeries and procedures beginning April 22 if they meet certain requirements. For more information, see the Information for Hospitals & Healthcare Professionals page.

Registration for mobile testing is open. Call 512-883-2400 or visit https://www.txcovidtest.org/

4/23/2020

Fellow Texans,

We hope this email finds you healthy and safe. This is a challenging time for all Texans, but by working together, we will come out of this even stronger than before. The Governor's Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT) and community partners continue to closely monitor the current situation and are working hard to provide you with the latest information, updates and resources.

Governor Greg Abbott has issued three new Executive Orders to begin the process of reopening the state of Texas while revising hospital capacity and certain social distancing guidelines. Within the orders, select activities and services that pose minimal to no threat of spreading COVID-19 are allowed to reopen. In addition, the Governor has established the Strike Force to Open Texas—a team of nationally recognized medical experts and private and public leaders who will advise the Governor on safely and strategically reopening the state.

I’m honored to be named to serve on the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas and to work with other business and industry leaders to inform the Governor on the best strategies to open our economy while protecting the health and safety of Texans.

For more information on the Strike Force to Open Texas, visit our official website and explore the Special Advisory Group and the Strike Force Working Groups. Texans are invited to offer feedback using the "Contact" button on those webpages, which will send inquiries to the Strike Force. The Governor and the Strike Force will provide an additional update on April 27, 2020.

Also included in the Governor's Executive Order is a new "Retail-To-Go" model for Texas retailers. This model will allow retail outlets in Texas to reopen beginning Friday, April 24. Under this model, reopened establishments are required to deliver items to customer's cars, homes or other locations to minimize contact. Any retailers considering utilizing the "Retail-To-Go" model should review the following guidance located on the Texas Department of State Health Services' website:

COVID-19: Guidance for Employers, Employees, and Customers of Reopened Retail Services

Feel free to contact our office if we can answer any questions regarding resources for Texas businesses. Please continue to stay safe, healthy and hopeful. And please continue to check in online at gov.texas.gov/business/coronavirus, or follow us on social media for the latest information and resources. For additional information on Texas’ response to COVID-19, visit gov.texas.gov/coronavirus.

Thank you all for your continued service to Texas!

Stay safe and stay healthy!

Adriana Cruz

Executive Director

Economic Development & Tourism

Office of Governor Greg Abbott

#TexasBizStrong

4/15/2020

4/13/2020

For Immediate Release

2nd Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Case Announced in Scurry County

Snyder, Texas, Friday, April 10, 2020 -- According to Cogdell Memorial Hospital and the Scurry County Health Unit, they have received a second confirmed positive COVID-19 test.

This brings the total number of positive tests conducted and received in Scurry County to two. As is standard, the individual had been instructed to self-isolate pending results. The Health Unit immediately began an investigation.

Cogdell Memorial Hospital will provide an update on positive, negative, and pending test results daily between 1 pm - 2 pm.

The daily test count scorecard is found online at:

• Scurry County Coronavirus Resource Website: scurrycovid.com

• Scurry County Coronavirus Facebook Page

• Cogdell Memorial Hospital website: cogdellhospital.com

• Cogdell Memorial Hospital & Clinics Facebook page

During the COVID-19 pandemic, County Judge Dan Hicks will host a daily 4 pm broadcast on the Scurry County Youtube channel. This briefing may also be shared on the above mentioned social media pages and websites.

County officials pledge to provide citizens with consistent, validated, and official updates regarding COVID-19 via the communication methods listed above.

Scurry County Announces First Presumptive Positive COVID-19 Case

Snyder, Texas April 8, 2020 – Cogdell Memorial Hospital is announcing the first positive COVID-19 case in Scurry County. The patient is a 50-60-year-old who met the screening criteria for COVID-19 upon arrival at the hospital. This individual presented with fever and shortness of breath. The patient was taken directly to the dedicated isolation room of Cogdell Memorial Hospital prior to being transferred to another hospital in stable, but serious condition. The staff who came in contact with the patient were wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the time the patient was in the facility. “We are taking the identification of COVID-19 in our community very seriously,” said Dr. Bid Cooper, Local Health Authority for Scurry County. “If you haven’t been taking precautions, now is the time.”

The Scurry County Health Unit immediately began investigating the circumstances around this case and will notify any potential close contacts. Dana Hartman, Director of Scurry County Health Unit stated, "We hope for a full recovery for this member of the community. For the health and safety of our community, we need to abide by the stay home, stay safe order. ”

Kristi Hanley, Chief Quality Officer for Cogdell Memorial Hospital stated, “Our team is working closely with leaders from the CDC, the Texas Department of Health, and local health officials to monitor and respond to this evolving situation. We are following CDC guidelines and best practice recommendations to slow the rate of spread of COVID-19 and conserve resources in order to protect our patients, community and healthcare team and preserve our ability to deliver safe and effective care.”

Cogdell supports Scurry County's Stay Home - Stay Safe Order directing the residents of Scurry County to stay home and limit movement outside their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for themselves and this community. Hanley states, “We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to wash your hands frequently and to avoid any unnecessary social contact.”

Health officials advise if you have flu and cold symptoms and suspect it may be coronavirus (COVID-19), STAY HOME and call your primary health care provider. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, they may provide special instructions or—if appropriate—make arrangements for a virtual visit. For very severe symptoms like trouble breathing, call 911.

There are steps residents can take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold that will also help prevent coronavirus disease, including:

• Washing your hands with soap and water.

• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

• Avoiding contact with people who are sick.

• Staying home if you are sick.

COVID-19 Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. They include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Shortness of Breath

“Community leaders have been and will continue to work together to keep our community safe and mitigate the spread of the virus,” said Dan Hicks, Scurry County Judge. “It’s crucial that our community continue to take preventative measures to lower their risk, and to share this information with their friends, family, and co-workers.”

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Local updates will be posted to scurrycovid.com. For CDC recommendations and updates visit and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

What to Do If You Are Sick

Symptoms of COVID‑19 may show up 2‑14 days after exposure. The steps you should take if you think you are sick with COVID‑19 depend on whether you have a higher risk of developing severe illness.

High-Risk Individuals:

People 65 years or older, and/or people with medical issues, like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or a weakened immune system, are at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID‑19.

If you are a high-risk individual and you develop fever or symptoms, call your doctor.

If you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home. Follow your doctor's instructions and refer to CDC recommendations for how to take care of yourself at home.

General Population:

• If you are in generally good health and have mild symptoms, stay home and take care of yourself like you would for a cold or the flu.

• If symptoms worsen, call your doctor.

If you are sick or are caring for someone who is sick, you can use the Coronavirus Self-Checker on the CDC’s Symptoms & Testing page to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care. Source: The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)