Eagle Pass/Maverick County First Confirmed COVID-19 Person Obtained From Community Spread
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
In a joint press conference between the City of Eagle Pass and Maverick County held on Monday, March 23, 2020 at City Council Chamber, Eagle Pass Mayor Luis E. Sifuentes announced that the first, and yet only, confirmed positive COVID-19 person case obtained his virus within the community as this individual has not travel outside of Maverick County, making it a community spread COVID-19 case.
Mayor Sifuentes’ announcement is critical because it signals that COVID-19 is found within the community in Eagle Pass and Maverick County. The announcement that the first COVID-19 positive case has not traveled outside of Maverick County suggests that this individual had to have contracted the coronavirus from another individual who already has the virus and brought it to the Eagle Pass and Maverick County community from outside of our community.
Community spread “means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
According to CDC, “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) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled by the lungs.”
The CDC adds that “people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; that have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
The CDC notes that “it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
The CDC highlights that “the virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.”
The CDC noted that “there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19).” This disease affects people of all ages, but people who are most vulnerable are those who are 60 years or older and have severe underlying medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or other pre-existing medical conditions. Thus, the “best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.”
Mayor Sifuentes discussed the CDC’s precautionary measures, including, but not limited to, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid close contact with people who are sick; put distance between yourself and other people like 6 feet apart; stay home if you’re sick, except to get medical care; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow, throw the tissues in the trash, and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and use hand sanitizer; wear a face mask if you are sick, but if you are not sick then you do not have to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick; and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily as well as all dirty surfaces.
Mayor Sifuentes encouraged citizens to stay at home if at all possible except for essential travel such as going to buy groceries and seeing your medical doctor, if necessary.
In other news, Mayor Sifuentes announced that two additional persons had tested negative for COVID-19 among the pending 8 community individuals, totaling 4 negative test results in the community to date, one positive, and 4 awaiting results.
Sifuentes reiterated some of the new restrictions made by the City and County in the Third Declaration issued by Maverick County Commissioners Court on Sunday, March 22, 2020, including limiting one family member per family to go grocery shopping, a curfew on minors, the establishment of a City Telephone Number (830) 421-5122 during Monday-Friday from 9 A.M.-4 P.M. to answer general questions about COVID-19, and that the local hotels had established a block of room available for people needing to quarantine themselves instead of their homes.
County Judge David R. Saucedo stated that both the Maverick County and Eagle Pass are “working diligently” to stay abreast the fast changing situation with COVID-19 and are working together with all state and federal authorities, as well as monitoring other surrounding communities in the region.
County Judge Saucedo added that the County and the City are reviewing what other communities are doing, particularly larger metropolitan cities or states, and that they are currently working on another declaration of public health emergency that will have other restrictions that will be announced in the immediate future.
Judge Saucedo noted that the County and City had received a large shipment of disinfectant and a distribution mechanism is being developed to share with the community in the immediate future. Saucedo also added that he will be attending the regional Council of Governments meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 to learn of new developments about COVID-19 in the region, state, and nationally.
Mayor Sifuentes added that the City and County are working with the Emergency Operations Officers in the community as well as with all local health and medical providers in the community, including the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center, United Medical Centers, Maverick County Hospital District, and local physicians.
Sifuentes noted that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the two City-owned international bridges and port of entry are enforcing the agreement between the United States and Mexico to close the southern border to essential traffic, ensuring that non-essential traffic or travelers are not allowed entry into the United States. Sifuentes added that individuals traveling from Mexico into the United States for shopping of non-essential items are being returned. Many Mexican citizens with visas have complained that they were not allowed to come into the United States for general shopping purposes, but CBP is strictly enforcing the bi-national agreement to close the southern border to non-essential travel.
