Q. Can we provide free drive up screening centers for people who do not have a primary care doctor to get a recommendation for a test, if needed, without putting others at risk by having to enter an emergency room environment?

A. Yes, there are examples of these efforts being established for various purposes around the country. The City of San Antonio established a drive-up screening effort just today and others may be established in other communities. The efforts are best organized and executed by local entities coordinating together.

Q. Is there any opinion or consensus amongst state health officials on what the fatality rate may be for this virus?

A. Not at this time. Estimates range between 1-2 percent. It is possible it could be lower the more cases that are identified.

Q. Emails regarding the Corona Virus have been arriving at our offices and my one question is: The data we have received is coming from the Texas Health and Human Services department. Is this the latest information available that we could use in order to post on our City Website to help people stay informed and up to date on the latest developments with the Corona Virus?

A. Please see the DSHS website for the latest information. www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.

Q. First Question Does the State of Texas have facilities working on a vaccination for the Corvid 19 and why have we not used the Ebola and HIV vaccination on our Texas citizens I have read that these two can help and slow the virus down

Second Question Governor Abbott said in the start of the conversation that he wanted to calm the nerves down I believe this will have to been done through the media for our State because the media always causes pandemonium and this is not good for our Greater State of Texas

A. We do not have visibility on vaccine research efforts at Texas facilities. There are a number of investigational treatments being explored including a drug that is used to treat Ebola. There is no approved vaccine for HIV in the United States.

Q. The Sheriff of our county has ask if there will be any advice or recommended actions for how we deal with the county jail.

A. The CDC does not have specific guidance on this topic, but here is useful information from Washington state.

https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-Recommendations-for-Correctional-Facilities.pdf

Q. Today State health officials were advising schools to remain open at 4:00 while Education Commissioner was advising schools to close. We need to get on same page.

A. Decisions about school closures is a local decision and depends on the circumstances in that community. CDC is not recommending early closures of school. CDC offers guidance on school closures including situations to consider when thinking about school closures.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html

Q. After today’s state conference call with Governor Abbott I received a call from Judge Rick Lewis, County Judge in Montague County. He had tried to ask a question during the call but was unable to get through and time ran out. In his County there is an event taking place next week called Rednecks with Paychecks. This event is not a City or County ran event but a private citizen puts this on twice a year. The event draws approximately 5,000 people. This is a 4WD, automotive mudding rally. The County issued a permit to conduct the event to the citizen over 14 days ago but due to the events of the COVID-19 he has concerns about the legality of whether he can call the event off without suffering legal ramifications back to the County. The County Lawyers and other Judges have visited about this and don’t see anything in the health and safety code nor in the permitting process that clearly states that they can rescind the permit and cancel the event. His email below explains more. Any information or that you can provide back to Judge Lewis would be greatly appreciated. A timely answer would be helpful as the event starts next Thursday and we are on the eve of a weekend.

As of last conversation with the Judge over the phone they were not planning on cancelling this event. I do believe an emergency Commissioners Court meeting has been called for tomorrow morning according to Montague County OEM.

A. We understand that local communities are concerned about large gatherings that may spread COVID-19 and may wish to limit those gatherings. While DSHS cannot provide specific legal advice to local government, we suggest you review the authority provided to local governments to control the movement of people in Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code.

Q. What risk do our wastewater/ sanitation workers have? Is there any research on this?

A. The CDC has guidance regarding this topic: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html

Q.

A testing center to be opened in the Corpus Christi area – where and when is that to be opened and who can we can we contact directly to keep up to date on that facility? FAQ’s – it was mentioned that the State would be posting Frequently Asked Questions on a website – has that been accomplished? And is so, where, so we can link on our city website?

A. There is a public health lab in Corpus Christi. As of March 13, this lab is not able to perform COVID-19 testing. The best way to keep up-to-date with the most recent information including public health labs that are testing is to monitor the DSHS coronavirus website at: www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.