38 cases of COVID-19 in Wichita County

As of noon Wednesday this week, The Wichita County Health Unit is reporting 38 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the county, up from 9 cases reported by Wednesday a week ago.

In the last week, the health unit has determined that more than one case is from community spread, and not travel-related as the previous cases had been.

Thus far in Wichita County, a total of 818 people have been tested for COVID-19, with 437 negative tests reported, and 343 still pending as of presstime.

Of the 38 positive cases, 31 are recovering isolated at home, six are hospitalized and one has recovered. A change in symptoms

It is also important to note, the Health District is starting to see a change in symptoms that patients are experiencing. These new symptoms include loss of smell, loss of taste and sore throat, in addition to the original symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Cases have reported one or multiple symptoms.

Over the weekend the City of Wichita Falls and Wichita County has issued shelter in place orders for all residents, which is covered in this issue of the Leaderw in a seperate story. Lindsay Barker, Director of Communications and Marketing asks that anyone with questions contact the Health District Hotline at 940-761-7909. Hours it will be answered are Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM and Saturday and Sunday, 12PM to 2PM. She indicated a number of people are calling 911 with questions, and stressed that 911 be only called for emergencies.

Prior to these community spread cases, information released on positive cases included a list of locations patients had visited while symptomatic. This was done in an effort to alert citizens who may have had contact with the patient, while at the location. However, with these community spread cases, a list of locations visited will no longer be includedbecause that information no longer assists with assessing individuals’ risk. Following are the cases reported since last week. Case 10

The patient is between the age of 60 and 69 with underlying health conditions and is a contact to a previous case. The patient began experiencing symptoms the evening of March 19 and visited their medical provider on March 20. The patient has been in isolation at home since the on-set of symptoms started on

Case 11 The patient is between the ages of 60 to 69 and is currently hospitalized. This patient had direct contact with another travel case. Therefore, the patient remained in isolation at home and has had no community exposure. Case 12

The patient is between the ages of 30 to 39 years old. The patient had contact with an individual who had traveled to Dallas. The patient developed symptoms on March 18 and visited their medical provider that same day, as well as on March 20. On March 23, the patient utilized a drive-up testing facility in Wichita Falls and was administered the COVID-19 test there. The patient’s medical provider and the locations listed below have been notified.

The patient visited the following:

· March 21: Sam’s Club located at 3801 Kell Boulevard at 11am

· March 21: Dollar General located at 3630 Jacksboro Highway at 12pm Case 13

The patient is between the ages of 50 to 59 and is currently hospitalized. The patient first visited their medical provider for unrelated issues on March 17. The patient then had two more visits with medical providers on March 18 when symptoms developed, and March 20. On March 23, the patient utilized a drive-up testing facility in Wichita Falls and was administered the COVID-19 test there. Please see the attached Press Release from Clinics of North Texas.

The patient visited the following:

·March 18: After the medical visit, the patient went to Walgreens located at 3801 Kell Boulevard Case 14

The patient is between the ages of 80 to 89 with underlying medical issues. The patient had close contact with an individual who is being tested. That individual works at the medical facility where a positive case worked. The patient developed symptoms on March 24 and was tested that same day at a drive-up testing facility in Wichita Falls. The patient has had no commu-Case 15 The patient is between the ages of 20 – 29. The patient had been in Las Vegas and flew into DFW on March 15. They then drove by personal vehicle back to Wichita Falls. Upon return, the patient worked March 16 through March 23. The patient began experiencing symptoms on March 23 and therefore did not return to work after that. The patient utilized a drive-up testing facility in Wichita Falls and was administered the COVID-19 test there. The patient remains in isolation at home. Please see the attached Press Release from Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Wichita Falls.

The patient visited the following:

· March 20: Pier One located at 4400 Kemp Boulevard from 5pm to 6pm

· March 20: McBride’s Steakhouse located at 4537 Maplewood Avenue from 6pm to 7pm

· The patient also visited 8th Street Coffee House on March 21, but cannot remember the time.

Information released for the first 15 cases included a list of locations visited while the patient was symptomatic. This was done in an effort to make it easy for people to see where a case had been, and then assess their risk of exposure to that individual. People could assume if they had not been to that specific location, at that time, they were safe. Now that we have documented community spread, it would be misleading to list that information. Community spread means you, or your friends and family, can become infected without ever having been to those same locations. All individuals in our community are at risk every time you leave your home! That is why it is critical to stay home. If you have been deemed an essential worker go home after work and please notify your supervisor immediately of any illness. If you are sick stay home and call your medical provider.

Case 16 The patient is 30 – 39 and is at home in isolation recovering. The patient began exhibiting symptoms on March 23 and was tested on March 26. The patients place of employment has been notified. Case 17

The patient is 50 – 59 and is at home in isolation recovering. The patient developed symptoms on March 15, went to church that same day and was then tested on March 16. The patient has been home in isolation since their test was administered. The church has been notified. Case 18

The patient is 50 – 59 and is hospitalized in stable condition. The patient developed symptoms on March 22, worked on March 24 and 25, and visited their medical provider on March 26. The patient’s place of employment has been notified. Case 19

The patient is 20 – 29 and in isolation at home. The patient had close contact to another positive case. Case 20

The patient is 70 – 79 and in isolation at home recovering. The patient had close contact with a positive case who they worked with. They developed symptoms on March 23 and were tested on March 26. The patient’s employer has been notified. Case 21

The patient is 50 - 59 and in isolation at home recovering. The patient had close contact of someone who works with another case. They developed symptoms on March 24 and were tested on March 25. Case 22

The patient is 30 – 39 and in isolation at home recovering. The patient had close contact to another case. The patient developed symptoms on March 25, was tested on March 26 and remained at home after testing. Case 23

The patient is 40 - 49 and was hospitalized, but now is home recovering. The patient developed symptoms on March 17 and worked until March 19. The patient had close contact with another positive case. They were hospitalized on March 23 and discharged March 26. The patient’s employer has been notified. Case 24

The patient is 30 - 39. They developed symptoms on March 25, and visited their medical provider on March 26. They have been at home in isolation since the medical provider visit. Case 25

The patient is 50 - 59 and is in isolation at home recovering. They had close contact of a work contact to a case. Case 26

The patient is 50 - 59. They had traveled out of state and developed symptoms on March 16. The patient did go to work and was then tested on March 26. The patient’s place of employment has been notified. Case 27

The patient is 30 – 39 and is hospitalized in stable condition. The patient developed symptoms approximately March 17. The patient sought medical care on March 27 and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The patient’s employer and EMS have been notified. Case 28

The patient is between the ages of 6 and 19 and is at home in isolation recovering. The patient had close contact to a previous case. The patient does not attend any local schools, nor has any local school affiliations. Case 29 The patient is between the ages of 50 - 59 and is currently at home recovering. The patient had close contact with a previous case. Case 30 The patient is between the ages of 20 – 29 and is currently at home recovering. The patient had close contact with a previous case. Case 31 The patient is between the ages of 6 – 19 and is currently at home recovering. The patient had close contact with a previous case. The patient developed symptoms on March 28 and therefore was not in school at the time. Case 32 The patient is between the ages of 40 – 49 and is currently at home recovering. The patient had close contact with a previous case. Case 33 The patient is between the ages of 70 – 79 and is currently at home recovering. The case is community spread. Case 34 The patient is between the ages of 60 – 69 and is currently at home recovering. The patient traveled with a previous case. Case 35 The patient is between the ages of 50 – 59 and is currently at home recovering. The patient had close contact with a previous case. Case 36 The patient is between the ages of 60 – 69 and is currently at home recovering. The patient is a medical provider who had traveled. The patient has been at home in isolation since the symptoms developed. Case 37 The patient is between the ages of 70 – 79 and is currently at home recovering. The contact tracing investigation is still being conducted. Case 38 The patient is between the ages of 70 – 79 and is currently at home recovering. The patient had close contact with a previous case. The contact tracing investigation is still being conducted. Medical facilities in the county who had positive cases connected with them have released public statements as follows: Park Clinic COVID-19 Statement IOWA PARK, Texas – News broke today (March 27, 2020) regarding details of a case of COVID-19 in Wichita County that has been connected with Park Clinic. In order to provide the most transparent and up-to-date information to our patients and communities, we would like to provide an accurate timeline of events surrounding this case.

We want to ensure our patients, staff, and communities that their health and safety are always of the utmost importance and our top priority. Because of this, we have chosen to close Park Clinic and Iowa Park Clinic for two weeks for sanitation and to allow our Iowa Park staff a mandated 14-day quarantine. During this time, providers will continue to see patients via telehealth visits and telephones will remain operational.

Despite these closures, Iowa Park Pharmacy will remain open as they have had no direct patient contact.

We are diligently following all COVID-19 guidelines put in place by the CDC and Texas Health and Human Services regarding sanitation and health practices. We appreciate your understanding at this time.

Clinics of North Texas 940-766-8473

FULL STATEMENT:

This announcement is to inform everyone a person who tested positive for COVID 19 was in Clinic Care at the Clinics of North Texas, LLP on 3/17/20 and 3/18/20. If you were a patient in Clinic Care on those dates, you may call our hotline that will be set up from 8 am – 5 pm Monday thru Friday 397-5410. If this applies to you, we recommend you stay home and monitor your condition for 14 days from 3/17/20 or 3/18/20. We are monitoring staff members for symptoms and testing as warranted depending on symptoms that they have or may develop. Symptoms include sore throat, cough, diarrhea, shortness of breath,loss of taste or smell, or fever.

To help protect staff members and patients, we have enlisted additional housekeeping staff, implemented screening at the entrances and isolation areas, provided personal protective equipment, and asked employees who can work from home to do so. We will continue to evaluate the situation and take prudent measures as needed. This patient is being closely monitored and our concern goes out to the patient and family members.

3-27-2020 Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Wichita Falls Contact: Tony Weary, Administrator 940-766-0281

FULL STATEMENT:

Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Wichita Falls is taking all necessary and immediate steps to ensure we stop any spread of COVID-19 within our facility. We are in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps at this time. Prior to the notification we received that one of our employees tested positive for COVID-19, we had already taken preventive measures within our facility. This included; beginning two weeks ago restricting visitors from entering, cancelling all group activities within the building as well as following all guidelines from the CDC, CMS, HHSC and local health department authorities. The health and safety of our employees and patients remains our top priority. PRESS RELEASE:

Wichita Falls, Texas - Last night, the facility received confirmation that one of our employees tested positive for COVID-19. The employee worked in a dedicated section of the facility and the patient’s last day working at the facility was Monday, March 23, 2020.

The employee tested positive, but was not hospitalized. They are doing fine and self-quarantining at home. All staff that worked with the employee during their shifts at the facility were asked to self-quarantine and will be getting tested as soon as possible for COVID-19.

For the safety of those residents who were on the units that the employee worked, we are further quarantining them to their rooms and all staff working on those units will wear masks at all times until we can confirm there is no spread of COVID-19. Ifresidents show any sign or symptoms they will be tested swiftly to ensure compliance and containment. Staff will be restricted to only working on those units until we can be certain there is no spread of the virus.

• Resident safety is a top priority for Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Wichita Falls. Every resident should have a clean, safe living environment. We agree that the spread of this novel virus is a critical issue that requires attention.

• Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Wichita Falls is in close contact with our local and state health departments, as well as CDC to stay up to date on the information to prevent and manage the spread of Coronavirus.

• Skilled nursing facilities need to rely on local, state and federal resources to help prevent the spread of this virus.

• Detailed technical assistance from CDC and other public health agencies is necessary to help track and prevent its spread.

• We have reviewed and updated our infection prevention and control plans and our emergency communication plan.

• We have reinforced to our staff that anyone who is sick should stay home.

• We continue to restrict all non-essential personnel, per direction from local health department (as well as the federal/state government).

• Family members can interact with their loved ones by using video chat, calling, texting or checking in on social media.

Other info including #’s tested, pending and negs; numbers in all age groups and numbers of those recovered, recovering at home and hospitalized.