Nobody’s saying anything other than that a potentially deadly, and currently incurable, virus is “everywhere” this week, but things are starting to feel a bit different in the ongoing siege that is COVID-19 and Milam County.
Some hair salons and barber shops re-opened on Friday, joining several restaurants who were back in the “sit down” business last week. (All businesses who opened are operating under serious social distancing and other precautions.)
Still urging caution and pleading “stay at home,” Milam County commissioners rescinded their Shelter-In-Place order on Thursday.
Four new COVID-19 cases were reported over the last seven days, including two quickly over the noon hour on Tuesday.
There’s a general realization that with more testing there will undeniably be more cases. The number of tests administered to county residents grew to the 200-250 level during the week.
More testing is scheduled at the Milano VFD Fire Station on Monday. (See separate story on this page.)
But, as of Wednesday morning, there were still no Milam residents hospitalized due to the deadly virus.
School districts are planning—and in some cases have already staged (see above)—ceremonies honoring Class of 2020 graduates.
SNIP, SNIP—Some hair salons and barber shops opened up, some didn’t and some are awaiting further word from the governor’s office on restrictions.
Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and tanning salons may reopened under some recommended guidelines.
Currently, they may only offer services that are less time-consuming and complex, like haircuts and shaves.
Work stations at hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and tanning salons must be at least six feet apart and must be fully sanitized after each customer visit.
According to the state, all beauty services should use disposable supplies when possible. Any non-disposable supplies must be fully sanitized between customers.
RESCINDED—Milam County Commissioners voted 4-1 Thursday morning to end the county’s Shelter-In-Place order, effective at midnight that date. That brings the county in sync with an executive order previously issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, who had allowed the state order to expire.
Voting in favor of the expiration were County Judge Steve Young and Commissioners Opey Watkins, Donald Shuffield and Jeff Muegge. Commissioner John Fisher voted against.
County offices are being allowed to open or stay closed to the public at their own discretion.
Young said the two main changes are in social gatherings and a nightly curfew.
The county’s order had prohibited all social gatherings, while the governor’s calls on the public to “minimize” social gatherings.
“We cannot have an order that is in conflict with the state’s,” Young said,
Both call on Texans to take precautions including wearing masks and maintaining appropriate distancing during any such gathering.
The other change won’t affect Rockdale in a meaningful way. Young said the countywide curfew, mandated by the county’s order, has been lifted.
But inside Rockdale there is a permanent city curfew for those under 18 from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
CASE COUNT—Scarcely had the commissioner adjourned their Thursday morning session than word was received of a 19th positive test for the virus.
“This was someone who had previously tested and we had been advised the test was negative,” he said. “Then Thursday morning we were advised that was not correct and the test had been ruled positive.”
The 20th case was reported on Friday.
“This was a Milam County resident who had tested in Round Rock,” Young said. “This is a person from the western part of Milam County who has underlying conditions.”
Cases 21 and 22 were reported at mid-day Tuesday. Young said the first of those cases was “related to te 20th case” and the other is from the mid-part of the county.
All four of the new cases are self-quarantined and none required hospitalization, according to the judge.
Milam County continues to have no residents in a hospital due to COVID-19.
According to the Milam County Health Department’s latest statistics, the county currently has 10 active cases.
NURSING HOMES— Young pointed out Wednesday morning no COVID-19 cases had been diagnosed at any of Milam County’s three nursing homes.
He commended the actions take by the nursing homes in following guidelines as a precautions against the virus.
Before the four most recent diagnoses, Milam was down to six cases. That’s significant because at five or fewer cases, counties may go into a separate, more lenient, category for businesses to reopen in the governor’s plan to get the state’s economy moving again.
Young said only one positive was returned from the 37 Milam residents who were tested April 29 at the Milano VFD Fire Station.
“We know as more people are tested, which we need, we will record more positive cases,” Young said.
GRANTS—COV ID-19 issues were part of Monday morning’s regular Milam County Commissioners Court meeting.
Robert Kirkpatrick, Milam County Health Department director, has received a $247,000 grant to enable the county to better monitor persons who were determined to be in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the health department, it is currently monitoring 16 persons, all of whom are self-quarantining.
Judge Young and Sheriff Chris White are both pursuing grants for expenses incurred during the pandemic response.
Young said the county would use that money to make up for expenses incurred by county employees who were sent home. White said funds are being sought for deputy hazard pay.
TESTS, GRANTS— Young said Monday that Gov. Abbott has pledged to test each resident and provider in Texas nursing homes, which will include— of course—Milam County.
On Monday, state officials also said the 242 Texas counties, and the cities within those counties, that did not already receive direct allocations from the U. S. Treasury are eligible to apply to the state for a $55 per capita allocation from the CARES Act.
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