Maverick County to Charge Two Positive COVID-19 Individuals For Defying Quarantine as Four New Positive COVID-19 Cases Reported, Total is Now 129 Cases
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
The novel Coronavirus is alive and thriving in Maverick County, Texas as Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo announced four new individuals tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
County Judge Saucedo stated that a total of 2,637 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Maverick County with 2,035 negative results, 129 positive results, 473 people are waiting for their test results, 38 people have recovered, and one fatality as of June 3, 2020.
Judge Saucedo highlighted that two confirmed positive COVID-19 individuals in Maverick County are going to be charged this week with a third degree felony under the Texas Health and Safety Code due to violating their quarantine. Previously on May 22, 2020, Judge Saucedo reported that there was three individuals who were not complying with their quarantine and had been issued warnings that future violations would result in charges filed against them. Saucedo noted that two of the three individuals will be charged this week for defying their self-isolation or quarantine ordered by the Eagle Pass and Maverick County Local Health Authority.
Judge Saucedo pointed out that the Eagle Pass and Maverick County Emergency Operations Center investigators are focusing on monitoring all the positive COVID-19 individuals in Maverick County to ensure they are complying with their quarantine. Those not in compliance will be charged with a third degree felony pursuant to the Texas Health and Safety Code. Saucedo stated that on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Emergency Operations Center investigators visited 15 positive COVID-19 patients within Maverick County.
A person adjudged guilty of a third degree felony in Texas has a maximum penalty of 2 to 10 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, a fine of up to $10,000, community supervision, and court costs. All persons charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent until adjudged guilty in a court at law.
Individuals who are positive COVID-19 and do not comply with their self-isolation or quarantine risk infecting many other persons in the community with the deadly virus. The Texas Health and Safety Code provides for such individuals to be charged with a third degree felony.
