Milam County COVID count up to 19

Milam County has announced a 19th confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county.

County Judge Steve Young confirmed the latest case this afternoon and said, “this is a case that we were first made aware of about a week ago, but the initial report was that the person was negative. Today we were informed that the person had in fact tested positive. The person has self-quarantined and is not hospitalized.”

Of the 19 cases in the county, 11 have recovered, there are seven active cases and one death.

“The County Health Department is monitoring several individuals who are considered high risk due to contact with infected persons,” Young said. “This includes the testing done in Milano on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. There was one confirmed case of the 25 residents who were tested.” 

Today during an emergency meeting of the Milam County Commissioners Court, the countywide Shelter in Place order was lifted.

Young said the order was lifted because the state has taken over almost all of the restrictions that the county had initially implemented. The order will be lifted at 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2020.

Young said according to the Governor’s orders: “every person in Texas shall, except where necessary to provide or obtain essential services or reopened services, minimize social gatherings and minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household. People over the age of, however, are strongly encouraged to stay at home as much as possible; to maintain appropriate distance from any member of the household who has been out of the residence in the previous 14 days; and, if leaving the home, to implement social distancing and to practice good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation.” 

It also means there is no longer a curfew in the county.

“This does not mean the crisis is over or that we should let down our guard,” he said. “The virus is still with us. The virus is extremely contagious. The virus is a killer. There is no cure for the virus. You must do your part. Stay home whenever you can. If you are out in public, wear a mask and wash your hands often.” 

Young said that if things get worse, the court can and will issue additional orders requiring additional restrictive measures.