Community spread of COVID-19 found in Llano County

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Community spread is being called the cause of a third confirmed COVID-19 case in Llano County, Judge Ron Cunningham announced Sunday, March 29.

Local Health Authority Dr. Jack Franklin notified Cunningham and Llano Mayor Gail Lang at 10 a.m. Sunday there had been a third confirmed case of COVID-19 in Llano County and the patient's history “indicates this virus was contracted in a person-to person transmission which was not through household or known contact.”

The announcement moves Llano County into Phase 5 (Person-to-Person Spread in the Community) and Cunningham said the county “will be taking additional steps to contain and mitigate this virus in the most effective means available for Llano County.

“It is crucial, everyone understands the severity of this situation,” said Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham. “Our county is grateful to the majority of Llano County citizens and visitors who are complying with Governor Abbott’s Executive Orders issued on March 19, 2020.

“On March 20, 2020, and in support of the Governor’s order, I issued an order that included restricting gatherings to less than 10 people and closed all restaurants and bars to on-premises service and allowed only take-out, to-go and delivery services. Unfortunately, a number of citizens and visitors in Llano County choose to disregard these orders and, in so doing, are potentially placing the health, safety and lives of the residents of the County at risk. It is apparent we must consider additional measures.”

There are now 118 Texas counties reporting confirmed COVID-19 cases with 2,252 cases and now 34 deaths. This number does not include the “presumptive positive” cases which have not been tested or quantified due to limitations on test kits or have not received results back from tests.

For additional information regarding Llano County’s preparation and response, please see www.co.llano.tx.us or contact Emergency Management Coordinator Gilbert Bennett at 325-247-2039 or email at gbennett@co.llano.tx.us.

DSHS has additional information on the COVID-19 for the public, health care professionals, health departments and labs at www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.