Bastrop County finds first presumptive case of COVID-19

The first presumptive case of COVID-19 has been discovered in Bastrop County, according to an announcement on Saturday.

The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management issued a release on Saturday afternoon, saying the Bastrop County Health Authority has received information about a presumptive positive case of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, in Bastrop County. The person is a 37-year-old man who is a resident of Bastrop County.

Local county officials, along with the Texas Department of State Health Services, were working to identify and notify any people that the individual has been in contact with recently.

“We fully expected to see cases in our county and have been diligently preparing for this situation,” said Christine Files, county emergency management coordinator, in the Office of Emergency Management’s announcement. “We have been in regular communication with local and state health authorities and with our local community partners to ensure that CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) protocols are established and followed.”

Although most people who contract the virus will not need medical care, those who develop a low to moderate fever, a cough and shortness of breath should contact their primary care physician, the release said. It additionally encouraged people to take steps to prevent exposure, such as washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid close contact with people; stay home when sick; cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue away; and clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.

“Older citizens in our community and those with underlying health conditions or a compromised immune system tend to be more susceptible to COVID-19,” Dr. Desmar Walkes, county health authority, said in the announcement. “These residents should be in immediate contact with their health care provider should they develop a fever, cough or experience shortness of breath.”

Last week, Bastrop County established a COVID-19 hotline available for people to ask general questions about the virus. The number is 512-303-4300, and the hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, for specific medical questions, Ascension is operating another hotline at 833-978-0649.

Read the county's announcement from March 21 here:

The Bastrop County Health Authority has received information of a presumptive positive case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Bastrop County. The man is a 37 year-old resident of Bastrop County.

Local Bastrop County Officials in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services are working to identify and notify any contacts the individual may have had recently.

“We fully expected to see cases in our County and have been diligently preparing for this situation,” said Christine Files, Bastrop County Emergency Management Coordinator. “We have been in regular communication with local and state health authorities and with our local community partners to ensure that CDC protocols are established and followed.”

A separate case has been reported on social media that involves a resident of another county. As we serve people from surrounding counties, there will be cases occurring that we are not at liberty to disclose.

Although most individuals who contract the virus will not need medical care, residents who develop low to moderate fever, cough, and shortness of breath are encouraged to contact their primary care physician and to follow their advice.

The best way to protect yourself and your family is to take the following preventive actions to avoid exposure:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Avoid close contact with people. 
• Stay home when you are sick. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

“Older citizens in our community and those with underlying health conditions or a compromised immune system tend to be more susceptible to COVID-19,” said Bastrop County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes. “These residents should be in immediate contact with their health care provider should they develop a fever, cough or experience shortness of breath.”

Bastrop County residents have two hotlines available for COVID-19 questions. For general questions, residents should call the Bastrop County COVID-19 Hotline at 512-303-4300. For specific medical questions or questions about coronavirus symptoms, residents should call the Ascension COVID-19 Medical Hotline at 833-978-0649.