Coryell County residents recovering from COVID-19 virus, new positive cases listed

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press 

For nearly two weeks, there have been no new positive COVID-19 cases in Copperas Cove, and out of the 16 positive COVID-19 cases in Copperas Cove, six have recovered and two are deceased. 

The second fatality in Copperas Cove was a male in his 60s who had tested positive on April 7, as announced by the City of Copperas Cove on Friday. 

Monday’s noon update by the Texas Department of State Health Services noted a total of 105 positive cases in Coryell County. 

That number includes 63 TDCJ inmates, with 32 active cases and eight recovered cases. The newest cases are two males and two females in Gatesville. 

These numbers are as received by Coryell County from Region 7, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which updates at noon each day.

Positive cases in the state of Texas reached 25,297, with 663 fatalities, and an estimated 11,170 patients recovered, according to Texas DSHS. There are 1,563 presently being treated for COVID-19 in Texas hospitals. So far, 290,517 individuals have been tested for COVID-19 in the state. 

Nationwide as of Monday noon there were 957,875 positive cases and 53,922 fatalities according to the Centers for Disease Control. 

The Coryell County commissioners met on Monday morning and voted to extend the county’s disaster declaration through May 25.  

On Monday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he would be letting his executive order to stay at home, expire on April 30. This will allow for the reopening of restaurants, retail, and movie theaters on May 1, with the restriction that they are at no more than 25 percent capacity. 

However, Abbott stated that businesses like barber shops, hair and nail salons, bars and gyms, must still remain closed, as they have been. 

“The doctors advised these were simply not safe enough to open at this particular time. We are working with our medical team as well as with members of the industry sectors to open these businesses as soon as possible.”

Abbott said he hoped that they would get to open on or no later than mid May.

The counties with five or fewer COVID-19 cases may increase their capacity to 50%. This includes almost half of the counties in the state with cases. All counties should continue to comply with safety standards and social distancing. 

For more COVID-19 related coverage, visit https://www.coveleaderpress.com/covid-19.