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Just got off the phone with Dr. Plasencia. We have an additional confirmed case - a male in his 50's from Hempstead (77445). Not the Prairie View area. He is isolated at home and it is believed to be from community spread.
We will probably have an additional case at some point tomorrow that will be a "close contact" case associated with the case above. Generally "close contact" cases are immediate family members that live within the same household.
This brings the total confirmed cases for Waller County to 10.
Current state statistics from DSHS:
85,357 total tests
5,611 public labs
79,746 private labs
1,153 currently hospitalized
7,276 cases reported in 157 out of 254 counties
140 fatalities
Dr. Plasencia wanted me to emphasize to all of you that they are expecting that this week will be the worst week in terms of numbers, as they are anticipating that our area will peak in the next week or so. He said that his team was very busy today dealing with numerous new cases being reported in the region.
With all of these circumstances, DSHS is advising that IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THIS WEEK TO STAY HOME AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. IT IS CRITICAL TO REDUCE ALL CONTACTS TO THE SMALLEST NUMBER POSSIBLE.
IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE FOR ESSENTIALS, MAKE PLANS TO GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THE WEEK AND MAKE ONE TRIP!!
We need to see less trips to the grocery store and less people taking those trips. The Waller County OEM has reached out to all retail locations in Waller County and we have requested them to post signs in English and Spanish for 1 person for family in the store at any time. This of course does not apply to single parents with children, but I would suggest that people utilize curbside service so that you do not have to bring an entire family into a grocery store.
Although DSHS is still studying the issue, the CDC has recommended that everyone cover their face with a cloth mask to help reduce transmission of the virus. This does not necessarily protect you from catching the virus, but if you unknowingly have the virus, it can reduce the transmission from yourself to others.
Dr. Plasencia also advised that although we do not have a confirmed fatality at this time, that with increasing numbers, that is probably going to become a reality soon, especially with those in our population that are AT RISK and/or elderly.
I can not stress this enough at this time - PLEASE STAY HOME. WORK FROM HOME. ELIMINATE OR REDUCE ANY OUTSIDE TRIPS - ESPECIALLY THIS WEEK. IF YOU ARE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES, GO TO WORK FROM HOME AND RETURN WITH THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF STOPS AND CONTACTS IN BETWEEN.
STAYING HOME SAVES LIVES. Please do your part. Thanks everyone!!