32 Willacy residents COVID-19 positive

RAYMONDVILLE — State health officials have found 32 more Willacy County residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, driving the rural area’s total case count to 866.

On Monday, the county’s emergency management officials reported 30 residents had contracted the virus including a boy under 5, a girl under 10, a teenage boy, five men and two women in their 20s, five men and one woman in their 30s, three men and two women in their 40s, three men and two women in their 50s, two women in their 60s, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s.

On Tuesday, they reported a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 70s had contracted COVID-19.

Now, health officials are investigating to determine whether the 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.

Since late May, COVID-19 cases in this rural county with about 22,000 residents have surged from 14.

For more information, contact the state hotline at 956-421-5505.