County’s COVID-19 count continues to climb

by Cristin Parker cristin@thecherokeean.com

Go big or go home? State and local officials want citizens to just go home – and stay there.

As more and more cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are confirmed in and around Cherokee County, officials continue to remind people the best way to prevent infection is to stay home as much as possible for the duration.

“The city of Jacksonville and Cherokee County encourage all residents and businesses to adhere to these guidelines.” Chero-kee County Judge Chris Davis said in a press release published jointly with the city of Jacksonville. “Please evaluate what you need to do as it applies to your person, your family, and your work or business. We want individuals to abide by the Governor’s request voluntarily, to prevent enforcement. Without voluntary compliance additional measures may be instituted.”

Tuesday, April 7, Cherokee County officials reported the seventh confirmed local case of the virus. According to officials with the Cherokee County Public Health Department (CCPHD), “out of the seven total cases, three cases are travel related; three cases were acquired through community spread; and one case is under investigation.

Alto Mayor Jimmy Allen released this statement, addressed to the citizens of Alto, on the city’s Facebook page on Wednesday, April 1, “Two of those cases are in our immediate area. We are asking for all citizens to do their part to slow the spread. Follow guidelines recommended by the CDC, adhere to Governor Abbott’s executive orders and take preventative measures to ensure that you are doing all you can to avoid the spread of COVID-19. The city has posted the most current executive orders and CDC recommendations on the city’s Facebook page for reference. We want to make it clear that it is important that everyone please stay at home and only travel for essential items. We thank the citizens of Alto in advance for doing their part.”

Wells Mayor C.W. Williams also reported one case of the total is in the city of Wells. Locations of the remaining cases have not been released from city officials.

In an effort to help citizens understand why county officials aren’t divulging specific locations of confirmed cases, the CCPHD released this statement.

“Due to the number of postings and the questions regarding the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cherokee County, we feel that we need to address the information contained in these releases,” the statement reads. “The release of the presence of positive COVID-19 cases in Cherokee County is performed as a courtesy to our community. Also, the release of this information is done with the hope that our community will see the need for the precautions that are being taken and with the hope that our community will take the appropriate steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of themselves, their families, and their community.

“The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), originally passed in 1996 and updated in 2013, protects the privacy of individuals and their medical information. Violation of this law can result in stiff penalties for the person or entity who discloses this information, knowingly or unknowingly. Many celebrities and other individuals have chosen to waive their right to privacy and inform the public of their positive diagnosis in an effort to bring awareness to this pandemic and reinforce the importance of the precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and public health officials in an attempt to lessen the impact on our communities and ‘flatten the curve.’ While admirable, these individuals made this conscious choice; it was not a part of the processes used by Public Health Officials to release their name, city of residence, or any other identifying information.

“CCPHD recognizes the uncertainty and concern that is being voiced by many of the residents of our community. We will continue to update the community with case number updates as time allows. However, we will not be providing any further information beyond what we are currently providing. The important information is that this infection is present in our county. Many citizens travel between the small communities in which we live to shop, to eat, or to socialize, so precautions should always be taken, not just in communities where a confirmed case resides. We must take steps to prevent the spread.

“CCPHD has said that we will contact individuals if they have been in direct contact with individuals who have been infected. We have done this, and we will continue to do this. We are also using this time to remind everyone to take proper precautions to stop the spread of the virus including staying at home, washing your hands, not touching your face, and social distancing if you do have to get out.”

On Tuesday, March 31, Gov. Greg Abbott extended the executive order mandating restrictive social distancing measures through Thursday, April 30.

“In accordance with guidance from DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt -- and to achieve the goals established by the President to reduce the spread of COVID-19 -- every person in Texas shall, except where necessary to provide or obtain essential services, minimize social gatherings and minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household,” the order states.

Under Texas Government Code section 418.173, failure to comply with any executive order issued during the COVID-19 disaster is an offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both fine and confinement.

“In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts, provided, however, that the use of drive-through, pickup, or delivery options are available; visiting gyms, massage establishments, tattoo studios, piercing studios or cosmetology salons.

“This executive order does not prohibit people from accessing essential services or engaging in essential daily activities, such as going to the grocery store or gas station; visiting parks; hunting or fishing; or engaging in physical activity like jogging or bi-cycling, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household.

“People shall not visit nursing homes; state supported living centers; assisted living facilities; or long-term care facilities, un-less to provide critical assistance as determined through guidance from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.”

As yet, Cherokee County and the cities therein have not implemented any stay-at-home orders.

“The city of Jacksonville has evaluated Governor Abbot’s execu-tive order,” Mayor Randy Gorham said. “While we are following and implementing this order, at this time the city is not increasing restrictions.

“Thank you to our residents for what you have done to ‘Slow the Spread’ over the past few weeks. City and county emergency management staff and our health care providers are working very hard and sacrificing with you. This is going to be another tough few weeks, but together as a community we can make it.”