Bosque County was almost a safe haven from the coronavirus pandemic with less than half a dozen cases of coronavirus in most of the three-month government shutdown that started mid-March.
Since the government reopening Memorial Day, cases in the state have jumped and Bosque County is no longer an exception with more than half a dozen of new Covid-19 cases in less than a week.
As of Tuesday, there are 16 positive cases of coronavirus in Bosque County, 13 of them local residents.
The new cases have caused Gov. Gregg Abbott to reel back restrictions to businesses along with Bosque County Judge Don Pool issuing further orders for restricting crowd sizes beyond state’s orders.
“My orders are the same as the governor’s except for crowd sizes. I’m limiting them to 75 instead of 100,” said Pool.
“I felt like we needed to do more to help slow the spread of this thing since the numbers have jumped since Memorial Day. We were doing well, now we’re starting to see new cases almost every day.”
One of those new cases includes a Clifton ISD employee announced by the school Friday.
“We contacted kids and parents who had contact with that staff member,” said Clifton ISD Superintendent Andy Ball. “We also made announcements on Facebook and our website.”
Goodall-Witcher reported four new cases over the weekend, having their first positive test of a Bosque resident last week, but it was soon followed by three more.
“We’re starting to see, just like the rest of the state, a positive increase in Covid numbers,” said Goodall-Witcher CEO Adam Willman Monday.
“The sad thing is, with increased numbers of testing, the longer it’s taking to get results back.”
“The results we received yesterday of those positive cases were actually done a week before.”
“One of our private labs told us they aren’t taking any more tests.”
Willman said tests are still available and antibody testing can be conducted through a general care physician.
Goodall-Witcher has conducted 921 tests, seven positives, four of those Bosque County residents.
Threat of coronavirus and orders from the Judge that went into effect Friday at noon do not stop Meridian ISD from conducting their graduation ceremony.
More than 250 people gathered at Hornet Stadium as the ceremony was conducted more than a month and a half late of normal. The graduates were spaced on the field and families were seated in groups of four along the sideline. More family and friends gathered in the stands, very few of them wearing masks.
But admittedly, Pool said there is not much that can be done as for enforcement, despite the fact that violations of the orders are a Class C misdemeanor.
“When the governor first set rules into place, he made it a $1,000 fine and six months in jail to violate. Well since then, he has dropped the enforcement of that,” said Pool.
“All we can do is educate and encourage people to follow the guidelines set into place.
Local law enforcement was present at the graduation but said that it was the county’s responsibility to enforce those rules and that they did not apply to citizens inside city limits.
Pool said they do.
Meridian Superintendent Kim Edwards could not be reached for comment on this story by press time Tuesday.
Full announcement of Pools’ declaration can be found below:
6.26.2020-Covid-Declaration No 2
Previous directives from the office of County Judge were to protect as much as possible the public from spreading or obtaining the COVID-19 virus through close contact with others who potentially may be infected, never to limit business operations nor impose hardships on employees.
Today, June 26,2020, faced with the continued rapid increased spread of the virus in Texas, Texas Governor Abbott issued a series of Executive Orders limiting gatherings, business operations, and activities.
Executive Orders supersede local control but can be supplemented by local control. Therefore, pursuant to Local Disaster Declaration, the office of County Judge is today instituting further restrictions based on the Governor’s Executive Orders:
1. Order No. 1: In accordance with the Guidelines from the Governor’s Office, all bars statewide are to be closed Friday, June 26, 2020 at noon and until further notice.
2. Order No. 2: In accordance with the Guidelines from the Governor’s Office, all restaurants shall limit their capacity to 50%, however, the use of drive-thru, pick-up, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the limited duration of this executive order.
3. Order No. 3: In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance. 4. Order No. 4: In accordance with the
4. Order No. 4: In accordance with the guidelines from this office, mass gatherings shall be limited to 75 people and social distancing shall be maintained.
5. Orders take effect countywide at 11:59 am on June 26, 2020. Violations of the Orders are Class C Misdemeanors; however, these are small violations compared to the spread of the Virus to your neighbors, friends, and relatives.
The County had hoped the Open Texas initiative by the Governor would relieve pressure on our businesses. Data suggest the spread of the virus has increased significantly since Memorial Day and the opening of certain businesses seems to have encouraged the spread. Consequently, measures have to be taken now to once again try to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19. Hopefully these restrictions are temporary.
Don L Pool
County Judge
“We're Starting to see… a positive increase in Covid numbers.”
Adam Willam
Goodall-Witcher
CEO