UPDATE: COVID-19 cases now at 71 in county

Milam County Judge Steve Young said early this afternoon, Tuesday, that three more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Milam County.

That makes eight cases confirmed today alone, 13 in two days, for a total of 71.

Young said the five cases announced Monday reflected results from Milam County's three nursing homes. He said the cases involved both patients and residents.

The total number of cases in the county is now 71 with 47 recovered cases and 24 active cases.

The Health Department released a new graph today with information about where the cases are and 44 percent of county cases are in the Cameron area in the 76520 zip code. The Rockdale area - zip code 76567 - has 29 percent of cases. The Thorndale area - zip code 76577 - has 13 percent of cases. The Buckholts area - zip code 76518 - has seven percent of cases. Three percent of cases are in zip code 76556 and four percent are in zip code 77857.

According to the Milam County Health Department a total of 234 people have been monitored in all, with 75 currently being monitored. Individuals being monitored are close contacts of a positive case which are also self-isolated.

There have been a total of nine hospitalized and two are currently hospitalized. There is still only one death.

"We’d like to encourage the wearing of a cloth mask in public, physical distance by six feet, washing your hands frequently, knowing the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolating if you believe you have the signs and symptoms, and consulting your primary care provider if you have symptoms to determine your need for a COVID-19 test is still the safest way," Robert Kirkpatrick with the Milam County Health Department said. "With the reopening of businesses, it is important to keep the above items in mind when you decide you need to be out and about."