RAYMONDVILLE — State health officials have found 64 more Willacy County residents have tested positive for the coronavirus during the last week, driving the rural area’s total case count to 1,622, the county’s emergency management officials reported.
Since last month, Frank Torres, the county’s emergency management coordinator, has been citing Thanksgiving gatherings for the spike in new cases.
Now, Torres believes Christmas Eve gatherings have begun spawning new cases.
“We’re starting to see the spike from Christmas Eve,” he said Monday. “We’re expecting the numbers to get higher.”
On Monday, state health officials reported 10 more county residents had tested positive for COVID-19.
On Dec. 28, they found 14 more residents had contracted the virus.
A day later, they reported 12 more residents had tested positive. Then on Dec. 30, state officials found 16 more residents had contracted COVID-19.
On Jan. 1, they reported 12 more residents had become infected. Now, health officials are investigating to determine whether the county’s latest patients, who have been quarantined, have infected others.
“Our officials and staff continue to work very closely with our neighboring counties and state health services department,” County Judge Aurelio Guerra stated in a press release.
“The Texas Department of State Health Services will conduct case investigations on this and all positive COVID-19 cases that arise and ensure that proper isolation and 14-day quarantine is strictly adhered to,” Guerra stated.
“In addition, (health officials) will be sure family members stay isolated and quarantined as well and will be sure the family has supplies needed to be able to stay at home and follow protocol,” he stated.
Guerra urged residents to stay home, practice social distancing and good hygiene such as frequent hand washing and wear facial coverings.
For more information, contact the state hotline at 956-421-5505.
