Galveston County Health District (GCHD) this afternoon announces 13 additional positive COVID-19 cases in Galveston County residents. This brings the county’s case total to 40.
“This marks the largest number of positive COVID-19 cases we’ve reported for Galveston County in one day,” said Galveston County Local Health Authority Dr. Philip Keiser. “We are doing more tests in the county and discovering more cases.”
“We cannot stress enough that you need to stay home. Now is not the time to be having social get togethers, to have play dates, to go shopping. If it is not essential for you to leave your home, please do not,” Keiser. “We know that social distancing works, but we need you to do your part to help us slow down the spread of this virus.”
The cases are:
·A female in her 70s who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. She is self-quarantined.
·A male in his 40s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. He is self-quarantined.
·A female in her 60s who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. She is self-quarantined.
·A male in his 60s who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. He is self-quarantined.
·A female in her 40s who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. She is self-quarantined.
·A female age 10-20 who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. She is self-quarantined.
·A female in her 40s with recent international travel. She is self-quarantined.
·A female in her 70s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. She is hospitalized.
·A female in her 40s with recent domestic travel. She is self-quarantined.
·A female in her 30s with recent international travel. She is self-quarantined.
·A male in his 50s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. He is self-quarantined.
·A male in his 20s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. He is self-quarantined.
·A female in her 50s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. She is self-quarantined.
For confidentiality purposes, the health district is not releasing additional identifying information. GCHD is conducting epidemiological investigations and is working to quickly identify close contacts for all cases.The health district does not comment on case specifics, including the person’s city of residence or what businesses they may have visited.
“We are at the point where knowing where someone who tested positive lives, eats or shops is not going to protect you. The novel coronavirus is here and you need to assume it is everywhere and take the proper precautions to keep you and your family safe,” Keiser said.
Practice healthy hygiene:
·Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
·If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
·Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
·Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash. If tissues are not available, cough
and sneeze in your elbow. Do not cough and sneeze in your hands.
·Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Practice social distancing:
·Avoid all gatherings of 10 or more people.
·Maintain at least 6 feet separation from others.
·Limit contact with people outside of your household. Avoid social visits.
·Limit visits and keep your distance from older relatives, especially those who are at a higher risk for developing serious COVID-19 illness.
·Avoid unnecessary travel.
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others:
·Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
·Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash. If tissues are not available, cough
and sneeze in your elbow. Do not cough and sneeze in your hands.
·Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
·Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
·Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
·Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
·If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
For more information on COVID-19, visit www.gchd.org/coronavirus. If you have questions about COVID-19, please call the GCHD information call center at 409.938.7221, option 1.