Burnet County Health Authority

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

A 57-year-old woman who was a resident of Bertram Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center has become Burnet County's first COVID-19 fatality, County Judge James Oakley announced Thursday, referring to information provided by the Burnet County Health Authority.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

When Dr. Horis Stedman discovered he tested positive for the coronavirus on April 24, he decided to keep an open line of communication with the public about his personal experiences with COVID-19.

“It was going to get out that I have it,” he said in an interview on April 27 with The Highlander. “If everyone is going to know I might as well lay it on the line.”

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

The COVID-19 virus has entered into “community spread” in Burnet County and “it's a lot worse than our numbers show,” County Health Authority Dr. Juliette Madrigal warned Monday, March 30 during a special called Commissioners Court meeting.

Burnet County officials had announced this past weekend there are now three confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 originating in Burnet County and there are several tests still pending confirmation at this time.

By Connie Swinney and Lew K. Cohn
The Highlander

Burnet County officials, in cooperation with municipalities and the Burnet County Health Authority, opted March 25 to order “Stay in Place and Stay Safe” guidelines in response to growing concerns about minimizing the number of potential infections of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Burnet County Judge James Oakley said Tuesday, March 24, he doesn't believe a “shelter-in-place” order will be necessary for Burnet County following similar orders being issued for Austin and Travis County and the city of Lampasas.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

In the wake of Burnet County's first confirmed COVID-19 test, the Burnet County Health Authority has important advice for anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to coronavirus or may be suffering from the illness: Stay home.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Health officials are telling people who believe they may have or may have been exposed to COVID-19 to follow Baylor Scott & White Marble Falls' online protocol to determine whether they should be tested for the virus and not go directly to the hospital for testing at this time.

In the meantime, people who are exhibiting mild COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, headache, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, are asked not to go to the emergency room or physicians' offices to stop the possible spread of the disease.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

As the state of Texas, Burnet and Llano counties declared emergencies due to the COVID-19 virus, public officials advised residents it is inevitable the virus will find its way into the Highland Lakes region.

“It's not a matter of if, but when. It's right next door,” said Burnet County Judge James Oakley on Thursday, March 19, during a special called meeting of the Burnet County Commissioners Court that was simulcast live on Facebook.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

The Burnet County Health Authority provided an update to the public and area emergency services entities in light of concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Special to The Highlander
Juliette Madrigal, MD
Burnet County Health Authority

Citizens of Burnet County:

With so much misinformation and speculation surrounding COVID-19, we want to deliver as much factual information as we have today (Friday, March 13).

Currently, there have been no cases reported in Burnet County, and we wish to keep this a reality as long as possible!