Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape issued an order Monday afternoon that will reopen all Bastrop County parks on Tuesday.

The order reopens Stony Point Park, Cedar Creek Park and the Nature Park on the Colorado River on April 21 at 11:59 p.m. The three parks were initially closed by Pape on April 9.

Playground facilities and other park improvements will remain closed.

"By exercising social distancing and other measures promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as wearing a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained, the immediate risks of the spread of COVID-19 virus in open spaces such as parks can be effectively mitigated," Pape said in his Monday order.

The announcement comes just three days after the county reported its second coronavirus-related death. On Friday it was reported that a 56-year-old man from an unincorporated area of Bastrop County died due to COVID-19.

"Our hearts are heavy to announce the passing of a second citizen to the COVID-19 virus. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones," County Judge Paul Pape said last week. "This untimely death is more evidence of the severity of this outbreak and the need for everyone to take all precautions to avoid the spread of this deadly virus."

The county’s first death linked to the virus was a 58-year-old man from Elgin whose death was reported April 6.

On Friday, Bastrop County reported three new cases of COVID-19, bringing its total to 44, according to county data and officials. Six people have recovered from the virus.

All three new cases reported Friday involve residents who live in unincorporated areas of the county.

The county’s local health authority, Dr. Desmar Walkes, said on Friday her team, which recently secured a consistent supply of coronavirus testing kits, remains committed to reducing the spread of COVID-19.

The county has negotiated an agreement with Clinical Pathology Laboratories — the lab that tests all Bastrop County kits — through which the lab will send the county 120 test kits per week. Bastrop County opened a coronavirus testing site March 24, which now has the capacity to administer 25 tests daily, Emergency Management Deputy Director Chris Files announced Monday.

Of the county’s 44 cases, two are people between 10-19 years old; five are 20-29; 10 are 30-39; seven are 40-49; 13 are 50-59; four are 60-69; two are 70-79; and one is at least 80.

One case has been reported in Smithville, four in Bastrop, 21 in Elgin and 18 in the unincorporated areas of the county. Men make up 57% of the cases, and women account for 43%.