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Medina County Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information:

 COVID-19 CASE INFORMATION UPDATE 09/13/2021
CONFIRMED CASES  4,333
ACTIVE CASES (Estimated)    257
RECOVERED CASES (Estimated)  5,859
DEATHS         138
PROBABLE CASES   1,804

Texas COVID-19 Data: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/AdditionalData.aspx

DSHS COVID-19 Dashboard: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/cases.aspx

TDCJ prison Count: ** TDCJ Prison Count updates**   

  • July 29, 2021 - Relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster. Governor's Order GA-38

    March 2, 2021- Opening Texas in response to COVID-19 Disaster:  Effective March 10, 2021 in all counties not in an area with high hospitalizations:

    a. There are no COVID-19-related operating limits for any business or other establishment;  and

    b. Individuals are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings over the nose and mouth wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household, but no person may be required by any jurisdiction to wear or to mandate the wearing of a face covering.

    For further information please refer to to Governor's Order GA-34

    February 23, 2021 - Medina County has been notified by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) the the County is no longer included in a Trauma Service Area (TSA) that has high hospitalizations.  Any business establishment that would be operating at 50% occupancy can now operate up to 75% and bars can reopen.  For further Information please refer to Governor's Order GA-32 or DSHS Letter 

    December 29, 2020 - Effective December 27, 2020 Medina County is now in a Trauma Service Area as defined on Page 3, Paragraph 2 per the past Executive Order GA-32 issued by Gov. Abbott on October 7, 2020. As a result TABC is requiring all bars to close and most business establishments be limited to 50% occupancy.  Please refer to Governor's Order GA-32  DSHS GA-32 Letter for further information.  

    December 28, 2020 -  The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) notified TABC that Medina County is included in a Trauma Service Area (TSA) that now has high hospitalizations as defined by the current executive order.  Medina County previously filed a certification form with TABC to indicate that the County opted to open bars and similar establishments in the County.  Because the County is now located within a high hospitalization TSA, bars and similar establishments in the County may remain open only if the County has separately filed and are in compliance with the attestation form promulgated by DSHS regarding minimal cases of Covid-19 in the County.  Accordingly, the County has been notified by DSHS that the attestation has been revoked and therefore the County is ineligible to remain open for bars. Opt-In Form 

    Since Medina County is now in a Trauma Service Area that has had seven consecutive days in which COVID hospitalizations as a percentage exceeds 15 percent of the total hospital beds.  Any business establishment that would be operating at 75% occupancy must now operate at up to only 50%.  This does not include the establishments that are exempt pursuant to GA-32 and any GA’s prior to 32.

    October 13, 2020 - The County Judge has signed the Opt-In Form relating to GA-32 for the opening of Bars in Medina County.  Opt-In Form  Check List for Bar Owners Check List for Patrons

    October 8, 2020 - The Governor issues GA-32 relating to relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster as Texas reopens.  GA-32

    September 17, 2020 - The Governor issued GA-30 relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster as Texas reopens. GA-30

    July 6, 2020 - The Governor issued GA-29 relating to the use of face coverings during the COVID-19 disaster.  Order GA-29

    June26, 2020 - The Governor issued GA-28 relating to the targeted response to the COVID-19 disaster as part of the reopening of Texas.  Order GA-28

    June 3, 2020 - The Governor issued GA-26 relating to the expanded opening of Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster. Order GA-19

    May 22, 2020 - The Governor issued GA-25 relating to the closing of County and Municipal Jails to in-person visitation in response to COVID-19 disaster.  ORDER GA-25

    April 30, 2020 - The Governor issued Order GA-18 and the Open Texas Guidelines that further explains Order GA-18.  Medina County shall follow the directives in both documents.  Click the following links to view the Order and Guidelines.  ORDER GA-18

    Open Texas Guidelines      Open Texas Checklists

    Judge Schuchart has signed the Attestation for Rural Counties with Five or Fewer Laboratory Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 under Order GA-18. For case counts  Please visit the Department of State Health Services at the following link or the County's Case Chart below: 

    https://txdshs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ed483ecd702b4298ab01e8b9cafc8b83

    Supplemental Order - April 17, 2020

    Declaration of Local Disaster Amendment - April 13, 2020

     

    Declaration of Local Disaster - April 9, 2020

    This is the latest Order in effect from the Governor.  It allows only for essential services and activities.  Medina County will enact a Local Order consistent with this order.  Please follow this Order.  Chris Schuchart, Medina County Judge    Governor's Oder - March 31, 2020

    Declaration of Local Disaster - March 19, 2020

    Governor's Local Disaster - March 19, 2020

    Declaration of Local Disaster - March 18, 2020      

  • FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-related Deaths

    In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide.

    To be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance, the policy states:

    • The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020 for a death attributed to COVID-19.
    • If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the applicant and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the deceased individual. 
    • An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.
    • The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
    • This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.  
    • Funeral assistance is intended to assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.

    In the coming weeks, a dedicated 800 number will be established to help individuals who apply. In the meantime, potential applicants are encouraged to start gathering the following documentation:

    • An official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the U. S. The death certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19 like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are considered sufficient attribution.
    • Funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include the applicant’s name, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
    • Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Funeral assistance may not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or other sources.

    More information regarding this assistance can be found at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov

    Contact Us

    If you have any questions, please contact Office of External Affairs:

    Congressional Affairs at (202) 646-4500 or at FEMA-Congressional-Affairs@fema.dhs.gov

    Intergovernmental Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov

    Tribal Affairs (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-Tribal@fema.dhs.gov

    Private Sector Engagement at nbeoc@max.gov

  • COVID-19 Testing 

    Medina County clinics offering COVID testing and Telemedicine.  Please call before going in.  

    • Medical Clinic of Hondo; 830-426-7444
    • Medical Clinic of Devine; 830-665-2876
    • Medical Clinic of Castroville; 830-538-3035
    • Medina Regional Hospital; Hondo 830-426-7444
    • South Texas Rural Health Services; Hondo  830 426-5288
    • South Texas Rural Health Services; Devine  830 663-5450
    • MedCare Associates; Castroville 830-931-3336
    • Bios Family Clinic; Castroville 830-538-2467
    • Little Alsace Urgent Care; Castroville 830-538-3550
    • Medina Valley Family Practice; Castroville 830-538-2254
    Drive Through Testing:

     

    COVID-19 drive through testing appointments are available in San Antonio/Bexar County by calling 210-233-5970 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day.  Appointments are required for the Freeman Coliseum testing site (next to the AT&T Center) or the Texas MedClinic site at 2530 SW Military. For more information on San Antonio testing sites, click here.  For more information about additional test sites state-wide, visit https://txcovidtest.org.   Local hospitals and doctors’ offices may also provide testing. 

  • Reminder for residents to please call ahead to your Health Care Provider if you feel you need medical attention and have symptoms of COVID 19. This is for the protection of our healthcare workers to be able to prepare for your visit.

    Self-Screening Tool The City of San Antonio has launched a COVID-19 self-screening tool.  The web-based platform is available in English and Spanish and can be found at http://www.sanantonio.gov. This tool will help a person understand if they should seek COVID-19 testing from their health care provider, depending on the symptoms they report.  It does not replace medical care but may ease people’s minds if they feel they have symptoms of the disease.

    Information for the Public

    Social distancing means remaining out of crowded public places were close contact with others may occur. Avoid mass gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.

    TRANSMISSION

    The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

    • Between People who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
    • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes

    It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by toughing a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. 

    SYMPTOMS

    Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath

    PREVENTION

    The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid flu, CDC always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including:

    • 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.

    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

    • Stay home when you are sick.

    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.