Copperas Cove has first COVID-19 fatality

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The first fatality in Coryell County is a Copperas Cove man in his 70s, who passed away at AdventHealth Central Texas.

This was confirmed on Tuesday morning by Bob Harrell, Coryell County Emergency Management Coordinator.

On Wednesday morning, the office of the Coryell County Judge and Coryell County Emergency Management issued a statement that on Tuesday afternoon, County Officials were notified by Region 7, TX Department of State Health Services (DSHS), that a male in his 70s had passed away on April 9, 2020.

It is unclear as to why the notification came to the county five days after the patient had passed away.

“That individual was the second reported case in Coryell County, and had been hospitalized in Advent Hospital in Killeen since April 2, 2020,” county judge Roger Miller stated in the press release.

Coryell County is currently reporting a total of 43 confirmed cases of COVID-19, which includes 21 active cases, 4 recovered cases, 1 deceased, and 17 Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Inmates.

However, that number doesn’t match the TX DSHS dashboard, which is updated daily around noon. As of Tuesday afternoon, the site still reflected 34 cases in Coryell County and no fatalities.

“The number of inmates does not match the number of positive inmate cases as reported by TDCJ on their website,” Miller stated. “The County continues to work with DSHS and TDCJ to accurately capture and report inmate cases within the local prison system.”

As reported by TDCJ, the Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville remains on inmate lockdown. The Murray unit currently has 22 positive cases of COVID-19 within the inmate population.

The prison system is County Judge Roger Miller's top concern at this point.

“With approximately 2,500 employees at the local prison system, those employees residing in numerous counties, and the increasing number of inmate infections, the TDCJ prison system in Gatesville presents the greatest threat for infection and cross contamination for residents throughout the county.

“Citizens are urged to continue to follow the guidelines and rules established by the National Center for Disease Control (CDC), State, and Local Governments.”

More information about Coryell County services, including Emergency Management and County Disaster Declarations, may be found at www.co.coryell.tx.us.

This story  was updated on Wednesday, April 15 at 10:41 a.m. and will be updated as more information becomes available.