COVID-19

Special to The Highlander

Governor Greg Abbott on April 27 announced the first phase of the State of Texas' ongoing plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

Under Phase I, certain services and activities are allowed to open with limited occupancy, and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is issuing minimum standard health protocols for all businesses and individuals to follow.

Special to The Highlander

A limited number of Llano County residents will have a chance to be tested for COVID-19 at a mobile testing lab that will be set up in Llano on Tuesday, April 28.

The Texas Department State Health Services (DSHS), the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), and the Texas Military Department (TMD) will be conducting testing between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Llano Junior High parking lot, 400 E. Texas 71, Llano.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Special to The Highlander

The Texas National Guard will set up a COVID-19 mobile testing site at the Burnet County Fairgrounds, 1301 Houston Clinton Drive, in Burnet at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 25.

Those who have appointments will be screened to see if they have fever and/or chills, cough (dry or productive), fatigue, body aches/muscle or joint pain, shortness of breath, sore throat, headaches, nausea/vomiting, nasal congestion and a loss of taste and/or smell.

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.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

As of Sunday, March 29, Burnet County now has three confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the county and officials are continuing to expect more positive tests in the next few days, County Judge James Oakley said.

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Marble Falls Independent School District officials detailed the continuation of closure procedures, including compensation of teachers, at the regular board meeting on Tuesday, March 25.

The district and all campuses will remain closed through at least next week in accordance with Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order to limit gatherings of individuals due to the spread of COVID-19.

During the suspension, however, all district staff members – including teachers, custodians and transportation workers – will be paid. …

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.