As results from last week’s COVID-19 testing in the Milano VFD Fire Station began to trickle in, the number of cases reported in the county had grown to 18 by Wednesday morning.
But none were in the hospital.
Also during the past week, in conjunction with a reopen Texas order by Gov. Greg Abbott, a sizable number of local restaurants resumed “sit-down” inside dining, with capacity restrictions.
On Tuesday, Abbott announced barber shops, hair salons and associated businesses could re-open Friday, with six-foot social distancing and masks. Full restrictions at https://gov. texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/Open-Texas-Checklist-Cosmetology-Hair-Salons.pdf
The City of Rockdale re-opened the drive-though service window at City Hall but re-thought its previously announced intention to open the Lucy Hill Patterson Memorial Library.
CASES—A 17th positive Milam COVID-19 case was confirmed Saturday, according to County Judge Steve Young.
He said the person was tested out-of-county, was not hospitalized and is self-quarantining.
Young announced early Sunday morning results had been received from 12 of the 37 persons tested at the Milano VFD Fire Station last Wednesday and that one Milam resident had tested positive.
That makes case No. 18 for Milam. According to the judge, 25 of the persons tested at Milano were Milam Coun ty residents.
Young said that person also is self-quarantining. More Milano results are anticipated at any time.
Currently, according to Young, there are no Milam residents hospitalized due to the potentially-deadly virus.
There has been one death in the county. That person, and three other Milam residents, had been hospitalized at one time or another during the crisis.
According to the Milam County Health Department, 11 cases are listed as closed or recovered, seven cases are “active” and 16 persons believed to have come into close contact with infected individuals are self-isolated and continue to be monitored.
RESTAURANTS—Gov. Abbott said April 27 that Texas restaurants could re-open Friday with restrictions. Including no customers inside to exceed 25 percent of capacity and social distancing to be maintained.
Customers are allowed to remove masks to eat and drink.
An informal survey by The Reporter on Friday indicated 14 Rockdale restaurants were re-opening under those restrictions.
That total does not include nine others other who have limited to no seating and whose business is primarily takeout or eat-in-vehicle.
An additional nine indicated they were not yet ready to re-open dining areas, at least on the first weekend.
MORE RE-OPENING— Abbott said beginning May 18 “non essential” office buildings may re-open “with the greater of five or less individuals or 25 percent of the total workforce, subject to numerous restrictions.
The governor said all re-openings are “voluntary.”
SHELTER-IN-PLACE— On Thursday Milam County Commissioners passed a resolution to bring the county in line with the governor’s loosening of some restrictions. But Young emphasized even though Abbott allowed the then-current state order to expire on Thursday, Milam remains under a shelter-inplace order for most activities.
Young said Milam residents can still get out for the purpose of the restricted access okayed by the governor or to perform the essential services still granted by previous orders.
“But, other than that, please stay home,” he said.
CIT Y—Monday afternoon the City of Rockdale announced it was, in conjunction with Gov Abbott’s guidelines, re-opening the drive-though window at City Hall for payments, water contracts, building permits and more.
The announcement noted city offices would remain closed and added: “as the governor evaluates the May 18, Phase II opening, based on the number, the city will re-evaluate opening the lobbies and buildings.”
Last week, after the governor’s announcement, the city said it would re-open its library, which has only been offering “curb service” since the initial shelter-in-place orders were issued.
But The Reporter has learned Central Texas libraries have decided to act in concert and don’t plan to re-open facilities until Phase II, or possibly Phase III, of the governor’s plan.
The city also issued guidelines for its employees mandating masks.
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