Hays County Confirms Four New COVID-19 Cases

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX  – The Hays County Local Health Department reports 4 new COVID-19 lab-confirmed positive cases overnight and today, bringing the total to 147, with 71 of those affected already recovered and out of quarantine (6 more than yesterday) and 75 current active cases, 2 fewer than yesterday.

The number of hospitalizations remains the same: 4 current and 14 total.

The high number of negative test results on today’s (April 23) report – 1,141, which is 325 more than yesterday – is because the Department of State Health Services electronic reporting system sent through a large number of negative test results that had been backlogged in the system for about 2 weeks, which the Local Health Department received today.

Positive test result numbers are not affected as they are reported directly to the Local Health Department by the labs that run the tests.

Note that the COVID-19 online Dashboard is updated twice a day, so may show different numbers than this daily snapshot as of 4 PM on April 23:

*Note: Some Hays County residents have Austin addresses

Due to HIPAA laws, additional information about patients is not allowed to be shared.

Hays County Epidemiologist Eric Schneider reminds citizens that most persons who contract the disease will have low to moderate fever, a cough, and congestion, typically treated with over the counter medications as there is no specialized treatment for COVID-19 like there is with Influenza.

The majority of persons who contract this disease will not need to seek medical care.

Residents with these symptoms should self-quarantine until they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 72 hours.

“Residents with underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system and persons over 65 tend to be hardest hit by COVID-19 and should consult their health care provider if they are experiencing symptoms, as should persons with high fevers or shortness of breath.”

Good hygiene practices are essential:

Prevention Tips:

1. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds several times a day, including between your fingers and underneath your nails. Handwashing is considered the best way to remove germs and dirt, and hand sanitizers should be used only when handwashing is not available. The hand sanitizers should be at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective.
2. Avoid handshaking and high-fives
3. Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose, and mouth
4. Stay home when you feel sick
5. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue then put the tissue in the trash, or use the crook of your elbow if a tissue isn’t available
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe. Clean cell and desk phones, computer keyboards, door handles, and work surfaces often.
7. Face masks are not considered an effective way to prevent someone from catching a virus unless you have close, frequent contact with a sick person; however, they are an option for sick people to use to keep from spreading the virus.
8. Avoid travel to areas that have been designated high-risk areas because of multiple verified cases of Corona
9. Individuals are encouraged to avoid large gatherings. This includes, but is not limited to concerts, plays, sporting events, gymnasiums, dances, and restaurants. Recreation activities that can be practiced in private are encouraged. This virus spreads by person-to-person transmission just like the flu, so limiting human contact can help prevent COVID-19 from spreading.