Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

LAMPASAS COUNTY SITUATIONAL UPDATE

Last Updated: April 2, 2020

Today City Officials responded to the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in eastern Lampasas County. Click here

Last Updated: March 31, 2020

Declaration of the City of Lampasas to Extend through April 6th. click here

Lampasas County Public Health Emergency Declaration click here

Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order, Implements Statewide Essential Services And Activities Protocols click here & click here

Last Updated: March 25, 2020

Declaration of Disaster Order Meaning click here

Last Updated: March 23, 2020

City of Lampasas Mayor signs Emergency Declaration click here

For Declaration of Disaster & Public Health Emergency FAQs click here

Last Updated: March 19, 2020

City of Lampasas Press Release click here

Last Updated: March 18, 2020

The official statement from Lampasas County Public Health Official, Dr. Georgia Hay click here

Last Updated: March 16, 2020

The Lampasas community is being impacted in many ways by the COVID-19 virus. Important measures are being taken at this time to slow its spread. The difficulties on our families, our friends, our schools, and our community will more than likely be felt for several weeks as we continue to assess the spread of this virus.

Currently, members of the city’s staff are meeting with local and state officials to determine the best response to minimize both short term and long-term impacts on the citizens of Lampasas and other members of the local community. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for citizens and those who are continuing to serve the community. We want to encourage you to keep these fundamental basics to assist in controlling the spread of this and any other respiratory virus:

Wash hands often for 20 seconds and encourage others to do the same.
If no soap and water are available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other places touched often.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid the temptation to “stock up” on items such as toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
Utilize “drive-thru” windows for conducting business or ordering take out.

It is extremely important for our community to take COVID-19 seriously, but not lose common sense. We encourage you to continue to be good neighbors and help those who need assistance during this time. If you are able to shop for someone or run errands please do so as this decreases exposure for everyone involved.

Last Updated: March 12, 2020

Currently, no one in Lampasas County is being monitored, quarantined, or has been diagnosed with the coronavirus/COVID-19.

As a reminder, the City of Lampasas follows the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC.

Since the public visits several city and county facilities ( Senior Center, Public Library, Animal Shelter, City Hall, etc.) the City respectfully requests anyone who has recently visited the countries with widespread, sustained transmission, or come in contact with those who have, to not patronize these facilities for 14 days after their return. Furthermore, if they have recently visited these countries, they should self-quarantine at their home for 14 days, according to the CDC recommendations.

At this time, the City of Lampasas does not have plans to close facilities or cancel events. However, the situation could change as the coronavirus situation evolves in the State of Texas. Currently, there is not community-spread (spreading easily and sustainably in the community) of the coronavirus in the State of the Texas. Right now, all Texas COVID-19 cases are travel-related or close family members of travel-related cases.

The City of Lampasas Emergency Management Office has been, and will continue to be, in communication with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management.

WHAT IS COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2).

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three of these viruses have their origins in bats. The sequences from U.S. patients are similar to the one that China initially posted, suggesting a likely single, recent emergence of this virus from an animal reservoir.

Early on, many of the patients at the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China had some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. Later, a growing number of patients reportedly did not have exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread. Person-to-person spread was subsequently reported outside Hubei and in countries outside China, including in the United States.

HOW DOES CORONAVIRUS SPREAD?

COVID-19 is a new disease. Health experts are still learning the details about how it spreads. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Close contact with another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when coughing and sneezing.
Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

PREVENTION

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus and other infectious illnesses, please follow good hygiene practices including:

	Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
	Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
	Clean AND disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other frequently-touched places. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Complete disinfection guidance
	Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
	If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers. DSHS discourages “stocking up” on facemasks.
	Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

SYMPTOMS

For confirmed infections, reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms (similar to the common cold) to people being severely ill and dying. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL SICK

General population: If you are in generally good health and have a mild illness, stay home, and take care of yourself like you would for the flu. If symptoms worsen, call your doctor.

At-Risk Populations: If you are 65 years or older and/or have other medical problems like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer – and have fever or symptoms – call your doctor. If you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home. Follow your physician’s instructions or refer to CDC guidance for how to take care of yourself at home. Follow CDC instructions for how to take care of yourself at home.

Your doctor will help make the decision whether you should get tested for coronavirus. Some public health labs in Texas are now testing, and local or regional health departments must approve each test.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately.
Emergency warning signs include*:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face

TRAVEL UPDATES

If you plan to take any trips soon, in or outside the U.S., please always check the CDC website for guidance, and plan accordingly. The guidance is changing almost daily.

Currently, the CDC has issued a Level 3 Warning that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy.

The US Department of State has also issued a Level 4 Travel Warning that travelers do not travel to China due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Warning for travelers to practice enhanced precautions when traveling to Japan.

The CDC has issued a Level 1 Travel Warning for travelers to practice usual precautions when traveling to Hong Kong.

The CDC also recommends that all travelers reconsider cruise ship voyages to or within Asia.

WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC

Many of us work with the public and we want to provide information and resources that can help you. Please use the CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Coronavirus webpages as reliable sources of information. Those websites will also list helpful tips specific to the workplace, like keeping commonly used surfaces such as doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks, wiped down by employees before each use.