First COVID-19 case in Copperas Cove

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The first confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in Coryell County was reported late on Tuesday by the Texas Department of Health Services website, with Deputy Fire Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator Gary Young issuing a press release on Wednesday morning that the individual is a Copperas Cove resident.

“The resident has voluntarily quarantined themselves until such time as they are well," Young stated. “The resident was tested at Scott and White Medical Center in Temple. The test result was conveyed to Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). Staff with TDSHS informed Coryell County Judge Roger Miller who subsequently notified City Manager Ryan Haverlah."

On Wednesday, Coryell County Judge Roger Miller confirmed that the resident is a 55-year-old female who is employed at a long-term healthcare facility in Belton.

“Residents are reminded not to panic, please continue to follow social distance requirements and to limit travel to reasons necessary only to sustain those minimum essential needs of your household," Young stated.

Young referred citizens to www.coronavirus.gov for the most current information available and provides answers to the most commonly asked questions.

The Texas State Department of Health Services has an up-to-date account of cases statewide and by county at https://txdshs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ed483ecd702b4298ab01e8b9cafc8b83

A special city council meeting has been scheduled for Thursday evening, March 26, at 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers to further discuss the previously issued Disaster Declaration and approve an amendment/extension.

This will be a telephonic meeting and the public may participate in the meeting by dialing in to the following toll-free number, (888)475-4499.

Written questions or comments may be also be submitted up to two hours before the meeting by emailing Lisa Wilson, City Secretary, at lwilson@copperascovetx.gov.

A Belton man who works at Laerdal Medical in Gatesville also tested positive on March 13, but as he is a Bell County resident, was not included in a Coryell County count. 

Judge Miller issued the following statement: “We are continually assessing the threat of COVID-19 to our citizens. We will take appropriate measures, as needed, to reduce the risk of exposure to and the spreading of the COVID-19 virus. We expected to have a positive case at some point, and now we do. But it is not something to fear or cause panic. I encourage our citizens to stay within the confines of Coryell County as much as possible. If you must travel outside the County, I strongly discourage travel to Bell, Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, McLennan, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson Counties. These counties have the highest numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and many of them have “shelter in place” orders. If you are traveling to or through a county with a shelter in place order, you are subject to being issued a citation if your presence or actions in that county violates their order."

Currently, Bell County has a shelter in place order, as does the city of Lampasas.