Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape on Wednesday announced an order requiring all persons to wear face coverings as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when out in public as the county’s coronavirus cases rose to 18. The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Thursday.

"This will help in a couple of ways," he said. "First, it will prevent the spread of droplets while speaking, or from a cough or sneeze. Second, and I think just as important, it signifies that we all know we are in an unprecedented health crisis pandemic and that we are doing our little part in the fight to slow it down."

To minimize opportunities to contract or spread the virus, the CDC recommends residents wash their hands often for at least 20 seconds; avoid close contact, or social distance at least 6 feet apart; cover their mouth and nose with a cloth cover when around others; cover coughs and sneezes; and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Pape’s order requires residents to wear a face covering in three specific instances: when entering any government or public building, or speaking with a government official, staffer or employee in person; when with other residents outside of the household, including in an office, store, business, sidewalk and parking lot; and when a business is open to the public, all its employees must observe these rules.

"The CDC is clear that a face covering can be as simple as a bandana or as fancy as a custom-designed masterpiece sewn together by grandmother," Pape said. "The point is that it must cover the nose and mouth at all times."

However, Pape said a face covering is not required if residents can "consistently maintain" social distancing in areas not specifically required by his order, such as when exercising outdoors or working on a yard.

"I want our beloved citizens to know that this order is for their good, for everyone’s good," he said. "These are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures. Let’s knock this virus down now, so we can get back to the things we love and the freedoms we cherish."

Pape’s order also closed all county-owned parks. He said Stoney Point Park, Cedar Creek Park and the Nature Park on the Colorado River closed to the public Thursday night to prevent gatherings and help stop the virus’ spread. He said the mayors of Bastrop, Smithville and Elgin have also closed their cities’ parks.

On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the closing of all state parks and historical sites.

Pape’s new order is an addition to his March 19 order that asked residents to stay home except for when essential travel is needed, such as grocery shopping, going to the pharmacy or making a doctor’s appointment.

His order requires anyone sick with symptoms associated with COVID-19 to stay home except to seek prearranged medical care or emergency medical treatment. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to self-isolate and anyone in the infected person’s household is also required to self-isolate for 14 days or until cleared by a doctor.

Anyone caught violating the order may be subject to a $1,000 fine or up to 180 days in jail. The order is in effect until 11:59 p.m. April 30.

Coronavirus cases increasing

The number of positive cases of COVID-19 rose by three to 18 on Wednesday.

Two of the new cases were from Elgin and the other one is a resident who lives in the unincorporated area of the county.

As many as 310 residents have been identified as persons under investigation, meaning they have been diagnosed as having COVID-19 by a health care provider though they have not been tested to confirm the diagnosis, according to the latest county data and officials.

"A medical professional has diagnosed (a person under investigation) as having COVID-19 but it’s not necessary for them to be tested because fortunately it’s likely they will not be hospitalized," Bastrop Mayor Connie Schroeder said in a video message Tuesday. "They are being told to go home, isolate themselves from the other family members, and stay home and treat the symptoms."

Bastrop County announced on Monday that a 58-year-old man from Elgin was the county’s first death associated with COVID-19. As of Wednesday, he was the only reported death linked to the virus in the county.

Last month, the county opened a testing site at Mayfest Park in Bastrop to administer COVID-19 tests. The site is closed to the public and only people who are referred by a doctor are eligible for testing. As of Monday morning, 80 tests had been administered at the site since it was opened on March 24.

Of the county’s positive coronavirus cases, nine people including the three new cases reported Wednesday are between the ages of 18 to 40, six are between 41 to 60, and three are over 60, as of Wednesday. Men make up 44% of the cases and women account for 56%. Eleven positive cases have been reported in the unincorporated areas of the county, five in Elgin and two in Bastrop.

Statewide, 9,353 positive coronavirus cases had been reported as of Wednesday afternoon and 177 deaths associated with the virus, according to the state Health Services Department.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that face coverings are not required if social distancing can be consistently maintained in areas not specifically required by the order.