On Thursday, March 26, the Galveston County Health District (GCHD) announced 13 additional positive COVID-19 cases in a Galveston County resident. This brings the county’s case total to 40.
“This marks the largest number of positive COVID-19 cases we’ve reported for Galveston County in one day,” said Galveston County Local Health Authority Dr. Philip Keiser. “We are doing more tests in the county and discovering more cases. We cannot stress enough that you need to stay home. Now is not the time to be having social get togethers, to have play dates, to go shopping. If it is not essential for you to leave your home, please do not. We know that social distancing works, but we need you to do your part to help us slow down the spread of this virus.”
The cases are:
- A female in her 70s who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. She is self-quarantined.
- A male in his 40s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. He is self-quarantined.
- A female in her 60s who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. She is self-quarantined.
- A male in his 60s who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. He is self-quarantined.
- A female in her 40s who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. She is self-quarantined.
- A female age 10-20 who had contact with a known positive Galveston County COVID-19 case. She is self-quarantined.
- A female in her 40s with recent international travel. She is self-quarantined.
- A female in her 70s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. She is hospitalized.
- A female in her 40s with recent domestic travel. She is self-quarantined.
- A female in her 30s with recent international travel. She is self-quarantined.
- A male in his 50s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. He is self-quarantined.
- A male in his 20s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. He is self-quarantined.
- A female in her 50s with no recent travel or contact with a known positive COVID-19 case. This is believed to be community spread. She is self-quarantined.
The GCHD recommends the following hygiene practices:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash. If tissues are not available, cough and sneeze in your elbow. Do not cough and sneeze in your hands.
- Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The GCHD also recommends the following social distancing practices:
- Avoid all gatherings of 10 or more people.
- Maintain at least 6 feet separation from others.
- Limit contact with people outside of your household. Avoid social visits.
- Limit visits and keep your distance from older relatives, especially those who are at a higher risk for developing serious COVID-19 illness.
- Avoid unnecessary travel.
For more information on COVID-19, visit www.gchd.org/coronavirus.
If you have questions about COVID-19, please call the GCHD information call center at 409.938.7221, option 1.