Falls County Testing Numbers going up

On Tuesday May 5, Falls County announced that there were two additional cases of coronavirus. According to the DSHS website, that number still stands today.

“We are still lower than most of the surrounding counties,” said Falls County Judge Jay Elliott in a press release. “But I am strongly encouraging you to continue following the guidelines set by the Texas Department of State Health Services.”

There are 144,785 tests waiting for county assignment within the State of Texas.

As of May 7, Falls County has administered 53 tests total, all at Falls Community Hospital and Clinic. This is a jump from the 38 recorded as of April 28.

According to Eliott, it is unknown if the two cases from Tuesday were tested in Falls County or not.

“One of them is unknown,” he told reporters. “The other, I don't think it was here.”

Though the number of reported cases in the county sits at six, it is unkown how many cases have gone untested. Of the six, one individual has recovered, two are recovering, one is currently hospitalized and the other two sit at an unkown.

On advice from the Falls County Local Health Authority, Dr. Karlan Downing, and other officials, the County planned to stay at a 25 percent occupancy despite having less than the threshold of cases set by Gov. Greg Abott’s Governor's Report to Open Texas released April 27, but now there the county is above that threshold. This means that until Gov. Abbott releases another statement, Falls county will stay at that 25 percent occupancy level.

As of now, a number of entertainment and leisure related businesses have been allowed to reopen on a limited basis, such as restaurants, the State Parks system, and places of worship.

The Governor’s report states that effective May 8, barber shops, salons, tanning entities, and other cosmetology related businesses will be allowed to reopen. 

On May 18, Gyms, Manufacturers, and office-based businesses can reopen on a limited consumer/employee basis as well.

Citizens should continue to follow proper social distancing practices and take extra precautions when going out in public. Refer to coronavirus.gov for more information on prevention of COVID-19 or to https://gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas for more information about the process of reopening Texas and guidelines for both business owners and consumers.