First case of COVID-19 in Milam County

Milam County Judge Steve Young announced this morning that the county has been informed that a resident was confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19.

Young said the person was tested Wednesday and results came back positive today.

The person in question is located centrally in the county and is under quarantine and self-isolation.

No other information is available. 

Young reminds everyone to stay at home as much as possible and do everything you can to prevent the spread of the virus.

The county is setting up a webpage tab on milamcounty.org to focus on COVID-19 in the coming days.

"We are under attack from this unseen virus but we are going to beat it," Young said. "If you need anything call us at the county and we will try to help any way we can."

In an announcement Friday afternooon, Milam County Health Department Director Robert Kirkpatrick said, "I understand there is some concern over the recent announcement of the Positive COVID-19 case being reported. I’d like to explain the process of how positive cases are handled once received."

Kirkpatrick said once a lab result comes back positive the health department contacts the individual to start a contact investigation. This includes determining who all the positive case was in contact with during their infectious time prior to be the lab results being received. The individual is additionally asked to self-isolate themselves at home until they are cleared. If the individual does not comply with this request we can elevate to other options.

He said once all contacts are determined to include phone numbers the health department begins calling all identified contacts. Sometimes the individual who is positive has already contacts these people to let them know the health department will be contacting them.

"The health department goal is to call everyone as soon as possible. It is possible that the list may take the health department up to 24 hours to contact everyone," Kirkpatrick said. "Know that we are busy staying on top of our ever-changing environment to best serve the residents of Milam County!"

Young declared a state of disaster for Milam County on Thursday, March 19, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It will be effective at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 21.

The disaster declaration does four specific things within the county: limits gatherings to 10 people; initiates a 9 p.m. curfew for those under the age of 18; closes all schools in the county; and asking everyone to shelter in place and not go anywhere that you don’t have to go.

Young said if you have to go to work, the grocery store or doctor that is OK, but please try not to go anywhere.

The declaration will be in effect for seven days, then the judge can decide to extend it or not.

Businesses will not be closed, but they are urged to close their dining rooms and move to drive-thru and pick-up services.

Texas Governor Gregg Abbott declared a state of emergency for Texas ordering the closure of all restaurants and bars across the state for service in store on Thursday. Drive-thru and curbside/pick-up will still be available.