Physician Assistant Becomes 14th Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Case in Maverick County, Texas
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
City of Eagle Pass, Texas Mayor Luis E. Sifuentes announced at the joint press conference with Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo held on Monday, April 20, 2020 at City Council Chambers that the Texas Department of State Health Services advised the City and County of the 14th confirmed positive COVID-19 case in the community.
Mayor Sifuentes noted that out of the 14 positive COVID-19 cases, eight of them are from three families, including one family with four members testing positive and two different families with two members each testing positive and six individual persons.
Sifuentes added that of the 14 cases, 12 of them are from community spread while only two are travel related.
Sifuentes stated that a total of 336 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Maverick County with 300 people testing negative, 14 positive, 22 awaiting results, and four have recovered as of April 20, 2020.
County Judge David R. Saucedo encouraged all Maverick County residents to follow and comply with the Declaration of Disaster Public Health Emergency Orders and their temporary restrictions to prevent the community spread of COVID-19 within Maverick County.
Dr. Eliezer Hernandez of Yeled Shalom Pediatric Clinic, located at 1975 N. Veterans Boulevard, Suite 5, Eagle Pass, Texas posted on their medical clinic Facebook Page on April 20, 2020 that “one of our physician assistants, who has been providing an essential service during this pandemic of COVID-19 unfortunately tested positive today.”
Dr. Hernandez added that the physician assistant “started showing symptoms on Tuesday night, April 14th, with fever and headache….Following the guidelines and according to their symptoms, they scheduled an appointment at Maverick County Hospital District . Our PA has been in quarantine since Wednesday, April 15th, following the test. We did not get their result until today, Monday, April 20th. We are letting our community know that our employee is in good health and spirits.”
Dr. Hernandez further added that “as a clinic we have been following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention best practices for preventing the spread of the virus, we are confident that this positive result is not due to the breach of our protocol. Our staff currently does not show any symptoms for COVID-19. Should the need arise for future testing, we will not hesitate to test. The health of our employees and patients is of upmost importance to us. Also, we have not had any patients that have tested positive for COVID-19. At this time, we do not know where the contact of exposure has been. The local health authority will be investigating this case in order to get a better understanding where possible point of contact occurred.”
Dr. Hernandez noted that “at this time, we are following the guidelines of our local health authority, as well as Texas Department of State Health Services. Per their recommendations, we are contacting all [of] patients that our PA had seen the last two weeks to notify them of their possible exposure to COVID-19. The best thing to do for now is to monitor for symptoms, fever (100.4 F) headache, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you are contacted by the local health authority and you start presenting these symptoms, please go to the local screening place for COVID-19, either United Medical Center on Eidson Road or the Maverick County Hospital District, Monday to Friday and on weekends at Stat Emergency Center or the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center.”
Dr. Hernandez added that “our commitment is and has always been the safety and well-being of our patients. Yeled Shalom Pediatric Clinic Suite 5 will be closed for the remainder of today in order to disinfect and sanitize our facilities. COVID-19 can still be spread even if you are asymptomatic, which is why we plead with our community to abide by the Stay Orders put in place by the local and state government. We are all fighting an invisible battle and it is during this time when we must remain united to fight the common enemy; please wash our hands, se a face mask when leaving your house, limit your interactions for only the essentials.”
Dr. Hernandez stated that “we continue to pray for all those who have been affected by COVID-19, especially our PA who is a person who has dedicated her life unselfishly for the health of others. We appreciate the continued trust of our patients and parents in our clinic, it is in this spirit we are being transparent in this current pandemic.”
Dr. Hernandez concluded stating that if anyone has any questions or concerns, to please call him at (830) 773-9449 between 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
