RAYMONDVILLE — A woman in her 20s has become Willacy County’s sixth confirmed case of the coronavirus — the first new case here in 10 days.
The case is linked to another case, state health department officials stated Tuesday.
“The patient is currently isolated,” Dr. Emilie Prot, Region 11’s regional health director, stated in a press release.
The health department is investigating whether the woman exposed others to the virus.
“DSHS is supporting Willacy County in identifying any close contacts of the patient so they can be isolated and monitored for symptoms,” Prot stated.
Officials are “conducting contact investigation on persons who have tested positive to determine possible exposure to others,” she stated.
Prot urged residents to comply with social distancing guidelines and shelter-in-place orders while practicing basic hygiene to prevent the virus’ spread.
Background
Late last week, the county’s seven clinics had tested 198 residents, finding 163 negative, with about 30 test results pending, Dr. Mario Sanchez, the county’s health director, said at the time.
On March 26, a 4-year-old Pittman Elementary School student became the county’s first confirmed case.
Eight days later, on April 4, a woman in her 30s became the fifth confirmed case.
That night, a Willacy County man in his 60s became the Rio Grande Valley’s first confirmed virus-related death.
