Hays County releases regular updates on the number of confirmed cases and other local statistics related to COVID-19.

And the most recent data of new reported positive cases shows Hays County might have reached its peak during the first couple of weeks in April.

Governor Greg Abbott signed three executive orders to begin the process of reopening of the Texas Economy.

Gov. Abbott also announced he allowed his “stay at home” order to expire on April 30.

By way of Executive Order (GA-18), all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls are permitted to reopen on Friday, May 1.

These services must limit their capacity to 25% of their listed occupancy. Within shopping malls, the food-court dining areas, play areas, and interactive displays and settings must remain closed.

All museums and libraries may open under the same 25% occupancy limitation, but interactive areas of museums must remain closed.

State libraries and museums will open by May 1, and local public museums and libraries may reopen only if permitted by the local government. Single-person offices may reopen as well.

Churches and places of worship remain open. Outdoor sports are allowed to resume so long as no more than four participants are playing together at one time.

Certain social distancing practices must also be followed. Local government operations, including county and municipal government operations relating to permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, may reopen as determined by the local government.

Governor Abbott Monday also relaxed certain restrictions related to health care professionals and issued amended requirements related to hospital capacity.

Under an Executive Order (GA-19) issued Monday:

• All licensed health care professionals shall be limited in their practice by, and must comply with, any emergency rules promulgated by their respective licensing agencies dictating minimum standards for safe practice during the COVID-19 disaster.
• Every hospital licensed under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health & Safety Code shall reserve at least 15% of its hospital capacity for treatment of COVID-19 patients, accounting for the range of clinical severity of COVID-19 patients, as determined by HHSC.

Additionally, the Governor issued an Executive Order (GA-20) to eliminate the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for individuals traveling from Louisiana.

Under GA-20, the mandated 14-day quarantine for travelers from the following areas remains in place: California; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan, and Miami, Florida.

View the Governor’s Executive Orders issued Monday, April 27:

• GA-18: Relating to the expanded reopening of services as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster.
• GA-19: Relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster.
• GA-20: Relating to expanding travel without restrictions as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster.

“This strategic approach to opening the state of Texas prioritizes the health and safety of our communities and follows the guidelines laid out by our team of medical experts,” said Governor Abbott. “Now more than ever, Texans must remain committed to safe distancing practices that reduce the spread of COVID-19, and we must continue to rely on doctors and data to provide us with the safest strategies to restore Texans’ livelihoods. We must also focus on protecting the most vulnerable Texans from exposure to COVID-19. If we remain focused on protecting the lives of our fellow Texans, we can continue to open the Lone Star State.”

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

* Disclaimer: Some information included below is provisional and subject to change.

NOTE: HAYS COUNTY DID NOT REPORT THEIR
COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS ON SUNDAY, MAY 10.

NOTE: Case and fatality information is updated daily at 1 pm and is compiled from information reported publicly by local health departments and through the DSHS public health regions. Counts are current as of that morning.
Because some jurisdictions report cases later in the day, local numbers may be more up to date. County case numbers may occasionally go down if the case investigation determines the person is a resident of another county or state.
Testing numbers show the number of test results for Texas residents reported to DSHS by public health and private labs. They do not include pending tests. Additional testing may be occurring by labs not yet reporting all results to DSHS. Unable to deduplicate total test numbers for private labs.
Demographic data comes from completed case investigations. The majority of cases in Texas are still under investigation.
Hospitalization and hospital capacity numbers are reported daily by hospitals through eight Hospital Preparedness Program providers that coordinate health care system preparedness and response activities in Texas.