Texas County Positive COVID 19 Rates Tripled Since Monday

By Miranda Gilbert
Emergency Management PIO

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Texas County have triple this week with officials confirming 13 more positive COVID-19 tests on Friday, April 24. Texas County Emergency Management Director Harold Tyson is asking that residents use proper safety to slow the local spread of this virus.
“With Governor Stitt opening things up, I want to remind everyone that our local curve is behind the state and national trend. We are just now starting to see our numbers grow,” Tyson said. “I know that people want to get out and that our businesses need that, but we do have to be very cautious when we do it. We have seen our numbers triple just this week. We are now ranked 12th in the state, and we don’t want a lot of people getting sick. We really need everyone to follow the CDC guidelines for going out into public areas and slow down the spread here.”
The new positive results are for seven Guymon residents, three in Tyrone, one in Hardesty, one in Optima, and one in Hooker. An investigation into any positive result is standard and all persons in close contact with the person will be notified by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and advised of quarantine and testing procedure. No other details in these cases were released.
All residents are encouraged to execute safety guidelines as advised by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and stay safe at home. If leaving the home for a necessary trip, wear a face covering and gloves. Dispose of the gloves properly in a trash bin. Remember to change gloves after each public area touched.
Residents should seek testing when experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. The three main symptoms include a fever, shortness of breath, and coughing. Those experiencing symptoms are advised to self-quarantine and monitor symptoms daily.
Drive-Through testing is offered for FREE by the Texas County Health Department Monday through Thursday for individuals with at least one COVID-19 symptom present, but an appointment is required. Appointments are available by calling TCHD at 580-338-8544.
Residents who are not working in essential staff positions as designated by the state and national government are strongly encouraged to remain home and practice social distancing. If anyone in the community has access to Personal Protective Equipment that can be donated for use by First Responders please contact Texas County Emergency Management at 580-338-0911.
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