News

By Robert Proctor

The Cuero Record

As of Friday morning, March 13, there were no reported cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in DeWitt or Victoria counties. There was a suspected case at Driscoll Chrildren’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, but that initial report was not true.

A hoax was also reported of a case in Yorktown earlier this week.

There are two known cases in Austin as of today. One of those two cases is a patient from Yoakum Community Hospital in Lavaca County.

Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, medical spokesperson for Cuero Regional Hospital, emphasized the health community’s encouragement for people to stay home if they’re sick and wash their hands up to the elbow.

“Self quarantine if you’re sick,” she stated. “Cough into your elbow. Avoid large gatherings. Wipe down cell phones and door handles with Clorox, Lysol or bleach.”

As of Friday, there were also no patients of interest in DeWitt County.

Dr. Gonzales is part of routine conference calls with medical professionals across the country. They’re able to learn more about the necessary protective measures.

“We’re learning as we go,” she said, in regards to COVID 19. “Patients typically have very mild symptoms for five or six days.”

Those symptoms include runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever and difficulty breathing.

“At that tipping point, they then start having issues,” Dr. Gonzales said.

Cuero Regional Hospital have inacted a plan with those showing symptoms who stay home. They will receive follow up calls from a doctor.

“We’ve had a dry run where we had a patient we’re following and they’re fine,” Dr. Gonzales said.

CRH staff meet every day and are in close contact with Methodist Healthcare for continual planning on if the virus enters the community.

“We’re tyring to be prepared and proactive,” Dr. Gonzales said.