The inevitable happened Friday when a Rockdale High School student tested positive for COVID-19, but in-person classes resumed on schedule Tuesday following the Labor Day holiday.
Overall during the past week the general downward trend in new cases continued with 19 new cases reported, bringing the cumulative total to 460.
That’s down from 28 new cases reported last week.
There have now been less than 20 cases reported in two of the past three weeks.
Quick testing for the virus is continuing, with Rockdale’s beginning Monday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the former Richards Memorial Hospital.
In the first eight days of the new program—including tests at the Thorndale VFD the past two Tuesdays—85 persons were tested and only six tested positive.
That’s a positivity rate of just seven percent.
SCHOOL —According to the RISD, the student who tested positive was, of course, sent home and families of students who were potentially in close contact were notified by the Milam County Health Department.
County Judge Steve Young said the student has been quarantined.
A letter went out to parents immediately, part of which stated: “Rockdale ISD will continue to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects throughout the school, according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines.
TESTING—The pa st week—The Reporter compiles statistics through each Wednesday morning—continued the generally downward trend for Milam County cases which began after the record weekly high of 69 reported for the week ending July 29.
After that, the average weekly high has been 28, much less than half.
After last week’s 19 cases, the cumulative count is 460.
Good news: Active cases went down to 20 for the past week, compared to 26 during the previous week.
Bad news: Hospitalizations are now at a COVID-era high of nine, with three in serious condition, according to Young.
That compares to six in area hospitals—Milam County does not have a hospital— last week.
Since the pandemic began, 47 Milam County residents have been hospitalized.
Deaths remain at five.
There are 29 probable cases, up from 25 last week.
As of Wednesday morning the Milam County Health Department was monitoring 58 persons, and has monitored 829 since the start of the pandemic.
TESTING—Rockdale’s first quick testing day will be Mondays. That meant no testing this week due to the Labor Day holiday.
Gause testing last Wednesday was canceled due to bad weather.
Here’s the testing schedule for Milam County until further notice:
• Wednesday—Milano, 8 a.m. to 12-noon, Milano Fire Station, 305 East US 79.
• Wednesday, Gause, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Gause Fire Station.
• Thursday—Cameron, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cameron Fire Station, 1505 North Travis.
Friday—Buckholts, 8 a.m. to 12-noon, 111 West Main.
Monday, Sept. 14— Rockdale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., former Richards Memorial Hospital.
• Tuesday—Thorndale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thorndale Fireman’s Hall, 304 W. Moerbe.
Young said he had received calls from those not under standing the new testing process.
“It’s real simple,” he said. “Tests are for Milam County residents who show COVID-19 symptoms. You show up at the site for that day and they will test you and have the results in 15-20 minutes. You can even wait there in your car for the results.”
WEAR THAT MASK!— Even with the overall downward trend, Young urged residents to continue to wear masks.
He noted the University Interscholastic League sent a letter to all schools warning that persons attending sports events must war masks at all times.
“They can sanction our schools if the fans don’t cooperate,” Young said. Strict enforcement rules have been laid out, including forfeiture of the right to play.”
Young said he has been to several events and noted: “Most are wearing masks but there are still a few who are not.”
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