COVID-19

While no one in Hood County has been tested for COVID-19, the ramifications are here.

Events have been canceled, grocery stores have been pounded and people are practicing social distancing. That’s when you try to stay 6 feet away from other people.

After a frustrating trip to the grocery store, Linda LaMarca exclaimed, “Don’t go to the store, all the crazies are there. They bought up all the toilet paper and bleach and now they’re trying to buy everything else!”

COVID-19 (also called coronavirus) is the reason behind the precautions.

The disease, first identified in China just months ago, has spread across the world and been declared a pandemic by the World Health Association. The word pandemic is used to describe the spread of the disease across multiple countries in multiple continents.

The disease is spread through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

Across the country, the National Basketball Association has suspended its season, college sporting events and airline flights have been canceled, and President Trump issued restrictions on flights coming to the United States from Europe.

There are 23 COVID-19 cases reported in Texas, including eight in Dallas County and one in Tarrant County as of Thursday. In the U.S. there are 1,215 cases and 36 deaths.

As of Friday there were 139,004 COVID-19 cases reported across the world, 5,116 deaths and 70,727 recoveries.

SENIOR CENTER

The Hood County Senior Center will be closed to the public starting Monday.

Executive Director Jeanette Scott said the action is taken as a precaution to help protect seniors from COVID-19.

A meal pickup service will be available for existing congregate clients on Monday-Friday. Call and sign up one day in advance, 817-573-5533. Call by noon the day before for this reservation.

MANY ARE PROACTIVE

As a precaution against COVID-19, the Knights of Columbus called off its Friday fish fries at St. Frances Cabrini Church. Also, the Hood County Republican Club canceled its March 17 monthly meeting.

The Office of Emergency Management Hood County recommends that people concerned about getting sick should avoid unnecessary large gatherings like public events or shopping in large stores.

“You always have a choice to come or not,” the press release states.

Revolver Brewing previously announced the cancellation of its Saturday tours.

As of now, the annual General Granbury Birthday Bash is on schedule for next weekend.

Nursing homes and residential facilities for older adults are screening or restricting visitors in an effort to protect those most vulnerable to illness.

“Currently, we are pausing visits from anyone not essential to our business operations,” said Mike Champagne, regional director of operations at Sagora Senior Living.

Every visitor at the front desk is screened with a questionnaire and temperature check before entry.

Champagne added, “We have canceled all of our resident outings and have limited the size of our in-house programs. We have implemented enhanced cleaning protocols and are disinfecting surfaces that get touched frequently.”

A grandparent reported that a childcare facility upped its disinfecting routines, and children get sanitizer on their hands when entering and exiting the centers and other times through the day.

TESTING FOR COVID-19

State labs and health departments are testing for COVID-19, including the Department of State Health Services, Tarrant and Dallas counties as well as health departments in Houston, Austin, El Paso and Lubbock, as announced by Gov. Greg Abbott.

More testing capabilities are being added, Hood County Public Health Authority Dr. David E. Blocker noted. Doctors may also refer testing to Quest and Lab Corp.

The test involves swabs of nose or throat, similar to testing for other viruses like influenza.

“There are very specific case criteria for COVID-19 testing, and we work with the Department of State Health Services to determine if test criteria are met,” said Blocker.

So far, no testing has been required in Hood County. Any tests would be sent to an approved lab.

“It is my understanding that each test is specific to the organism tested – flu tests just look for flu, strep tests just look for strep,” Blocker noted.

“It doesn’t make any medical or financial sense to test people for COVID-19 if they do not meet the specific criteria. It would be a waste of a test and would not change our treatment plan.”

This new strain of coronavirus is similar to an outbreak with a new strain of influenza. It’s resistant to our current antibodies and immune systems. That’s why it’s more likely to spread.

“Most folks with mild to moderate cold and flu symptoms will get better with self care, staying at home, getting plenty of rest and fluids, and taking medications appropriate for symptom relief,” Blocker said.

If COVID-19 is suspected, the patient should first call the doctor’s office for advice. Cold and flu symptoms are usually not an emergency for most people – unless there is fever greater than 102.5 degrees.

Protection against spread of COVID-19 is the same as protection against influenza and other viruses.

Avoid close contact (prolonged contact within 6 feet) with people who are sick and use good handwashing technique before eating or touching your face.

It’s been reported many times that the CDC does NOT recommend facemasks for use and wear in the general population. Those sick and headed to a doctor may consider a mask to protect others from your cough.

When the general public is rushing to buy facemasks, it limits availability to healthcare workers and others who need them.

COMMUNITY REACTION

Lake Granbury Medical Center and local clinics have been reviewing and practicing response plans to pandemic influenza and other diseases, including COVID-19.

Blocker said these plans and exercises include coordination with county officials, EMS and other first responders, DSHS and other local and regional agencies, to ensure all work together to protect the community.

County, city, school, medical and chamber of commerce officials have formed a task force to update response plans to the community as needed.

Granbury Mayor Nin Hulett said people should become so accustomed to using hand sanitizer that it becomes a habit, just like buckling one’s seatbelt when getting into a vehicle.

Hulett noted that the coronavirus can be most dangerous to those who are older – which is a big concern in a retirement community like Granbury.

At the Granbury Chamber of Commerce, officials are doing research focused on businesses.

“We want to know what’s available to help small businesses that have suffered economic injury from the virus. Things like loans from the Small Business Administration,” said President and CEO Mike Scott.

Granbury Theatre Company board president Micky Shearon reports that the Granbury Opera House has implemented “strong and thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the facility. Shows will continue as planned, but the handshake line with actors will be suspended.”

At grocery stores, folks have been filling their baskets with hand sanitizer, bottled water and toilet paper. Some shelves are bare between stockings.

From the corporate office of H-E-B, officials state, “We understand our customers want to prepare by stocking up on the essentials. Texans must continue to prepare, but panic does not promote progress. In order to help ensure all can secure the products they need, when they need them, we’ve implemented limits on certain items because we know limits will help protect the supply chain in Texas.”

HOOD COUNTY COUPLES

Danny and Kathleen Reed, Steve and Joni Berry, Rick and Ann Frye, and Larry and Alice Kiker remain quarantined at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. The couples were possibly exposed to COVID-19 on a cruise ship while on vacation to Hawaii. The length of their quarantine is not known.

dschneider@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 255