Coronavirus in San Angelo: Week 3 live updates (March 30-April 6)

San Angelo Standard-Times

Here's a look at how COVID-19, aka new coronavirus, is impacting the San Angelo area.

Coronavirus in San Angelo:

Cases of coronavirus are in San Angelo

COVID-19 tests done in San Angelo (as of 2 p.m. April 5):

633 total
182 pending
430 negative
21 positive

The newest case is a man in his 60s who had exposure to a known case. He is currently hospitalized.

More:Here are the most commonly asked questions about the coronavirus and San Angelo

Tom Green County District Clerk's Office restricts public access

APRIL 3: From April 3 through April 30, the District Clerk’s Office will restrict access to the general public. The District Clerk staff will continue answering phone calls, accepting e-filed documents and answering emails. If there is an emergency or immediate assistance is needed that can not be handled over the phone, call the office at 325-659-6579 for an appointment.

Documents can be filed electronically at efiletexas.gov. Payments can be made online at certifiedpayments.com. For general questions, people can email the office at istrict.clerk@co.tom-green.tx.us.

The decision will be reevaluated weekly, according to the release.

San Angelo police address rumor

APRIL 2: Despite rumors, the San Angelo Police Department is not conducting traffic stops of checkpoints to verify "essential businesses/services employees."

City trash service continues, delayed due to volume of trash

APRIL 2: The city has received numerous calls concerning trash pickup delays. This is due to trucks having to make more trips to the landfill in response to a higher volume of trash, recycling and bulk, according to a city release.

If trash pickup does not happen at the usual time, the city is asking people to be patient before calling it in. If trash has not been picked up by the end of the day, call 325-481-7700.

People should remember that there is a limit as to how much bulk can be placed out for pickup per residence. The limit is 5 cubic yards, around the size of a pickup bed or 15 bags of yard waste. Bulk items should be at least 3 feet away from the tan bin.

For a full list of of acceptable and non-acceptable items for bulk visit cosatx.us/Solidwaste.

City reports 10th positive case in San Angelo

APRIL 2: The 10th positive case of COVID-19 in San Angelo is considered community spread. The patient, a man in his 30s, did not have any known contact with a previous positive case, according to a news release from the City of San Angelo.

No other details about the patient were released.

Community Medical Center tightens visitor policy

APRIL 2: Beginning Friday, Community Medical Center will only be permitting visitors in certain situations, a move meant to protect patients and staff.

All visitors to the hospital are restricted with exceptions made for:

Those visiting a patient on comfort/end-of-life care
One visitor of a maternity patient
One guardian of a pediatric patient

The COVID-19 Hospital and Clinic Visitor Policy is intended to provide additional safeguards and optimum protection for our patients, families, visitors and caregivers.

Due to the changing nature of COVID-19’s presence in West Texas, this policy will be revised accordingly in response to circumstances.

Tom Green County Library System ends curbside service

APRIL 1: "Though our curbside-delivery service has proved very popular, it will be discontinued at noon today," a Facebook post stated.

If you have holds to pick up, get an appointment scheduled before 12 p.m. April 1. After this time, they will not be circulating any materials. If you have items at home that need to be returned, the library will be closing all book drops at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

"After this time, please hang on to your materials until we can announce the library's reopening," the post stated. "Do not worry about accruing overdue fines for these items--fines for items kept overdue will be waived for the time being."

You can use your library card number and PIN to access books and magazines in digital and audio formats at http://tgclibrary.com/audio.asp.

San Angelo State Park ends rentals and programs

MARCH 31: The San Angelo State Park altered their services on March 31, according to a FaceBook post from the park. There will be no on-site transactions beginning April 1. People will need to pre-register and pay all day-use and overnight fees online before their arrival.

They will allow fewer visitors in order to improve social distancing. Sites where more than 10 people can gather have been closed. This includes headquarters buildings, group sites, interpretive centers and stores. Programs have been canceled and there will be no equipment rentals allowed until further notice.

City closes all public parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, golf courses

MARCH 31: The City of San Angelo is closing all public parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, golf courses etc. effective immediately. Dr. Vretis, Tom Green County Local Health Authority, will be issuing a order closing all public/private facilities as well. People may still walk at parks, river trails, and on the street but must maintain 6 feet from other people and must not use those facilities to congregate.

Two positive cases of coronavirus in Comanche County

MARCH 31: Comanche County has reported two positive tests for coronavirus as of 7:45 p.m. Monday, March 30. The second positive case is from a rural county resident who has been hospitalized out of county. Officials are investigating how the patient contacted the virus, according to a Facebook post from Stephanie L. Davis, county judge.

This person is not related to the first case, which was reported on Saturday. The first coronavirus patient is a Comanche County resident who officials believe contacted the virus from recent travels. They remained quarantined at home since their return from travelling.

WIC no longer taking in-person appointments

MARCH 31: The health and well being of our clients and staff is our top priority. Due to the growing concerns surrounding COVID-19, we will no longer be taking in-person appointments. If you need to apply or re-apply for benefits, please apply online at TexasWIC.org.

For questions, food package changes, classes, or loading a WIC card please email us at WIC@cosatx.us.

Tom Green County jury trials canceled

MARCH 30: The Tom Green County courts have canceled all jury trials for April, according to a release from 391st District Court Judge Jay Weatherby. Criminal bench trials will also "not likely occur."

Civil and family law bench trials and hearings can continue,, if it involves matters that the Supreme Court of Texas and Court of Criminal Appeals deem to be “essential.” These trials and hearings will be limited to than 10 attendees, according to the release.

Fort Concho shuts down public tours

MARCH 30: Fort Concho, 630 S. Oakes St., announced the closure of the Visitor Center starting at 5 p.m. Monday, March 30. The closure will continue "until future conditions improve to allow its safe operations for both guests and staff," according to a release. The fort's tour and display buildings will be shut down.

People are still allowed on the grounds and can find site maps by the doors of the Visitor Center. Fort staff will continue to feed the mules, keep an eye on the fort and continue maintenance and repair projects.

April events and rentals have been canceled or postponed. People can check fortconcho.com and Facebook page for details.

Case confirmed in Mitchell County

MARCH 30: Officials have confirmed a case of COVID-19 in Mitchell County.

The patient is a woman in her 60s who self-isolated when she started having symptoms and is now recovering at home.

“Mitchell County Hospital has been preparing for this reality and anticipated that our community would likely be impacted at some point," said Robbie Dewberry, CEO. “We will continue to test qualified individuals for COVID-19, and keep the community informed by announcing any additional cases if they arise.”

The hospital has tested 7 people, resulting in 5 negatives, 1 pending, and 1 positive. Test results are returned within 48 hours, official said. Anyone with questions or symptoms may call the COVID-19 Hotline in Mitchell County at 325-728-3431 Ext. 7070 before going to the hospital.

Cases of coronavirus in Texas

In Texas, 70,938 people have been tested, 6,812 were confirmed positive and 127 deaths have been reported. (Updated by Texas Department of State Health Services at 4/5/2020 11:45 a.m.)

Of the state's 254 counties, 152 have confirmed cases, including: Harris, Dallas, Travis, Tarrant, Denton, Bexar, Fort Bend, Collin, Galveston, Brazoria, Lubbock, Montgomery, El Paso, Webb, Hidalgo, Cameron, Williamson, Brazos, Bell, Smith, Jefferson, McLennan, Hays, Nueces, Wichita, Potter, Randall, Matagorda, Ellis, Victoria, Guadalupe, Taylor, Hardin, Midland, Johnson, Ector, Orange, Comal, Tom Green, Bowie, Washington, Nacogdoches, Gregg, Grayson, Rusk, Calhoun, Chambers, Fayette, Rockwall, Shelby, Angelina, Castro, Hockley, Kaufman, Kendall, Walker, Bastrop, Hood, Wharton, Hunt, Waller, De Witt, Donley, Erath, Hale, Navarro, Polk, Andrews, Harrison, Liberty, Moore, Parker, Starr, Wilson, Austin, Brown, Cherokee, Coryell, Deaf Smith, Gray, Hill, Lamar, San Patricio, Val Verde, Willacy, Burnet, Cass, Hopkins, Maverick, Medina, Panola, San Augustine, Terry, Uvalde, van Zandt, Caldwell, Clay, Dawson, Eastland, Grimes, Jackson, Limestone, Live Oak, Llano, Lynn, Milam, Upshur, Wise, Young, Atascosa, Blanco, Burleson, Colorado, Crane, Fannin, Gillespie, Hutchinson, Jasper, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kerr, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Oldham, Robertson, Trinity, Wood, Anderson, Aransas, Camp, Comanche, Falls, Franklin, Gaines, Goliad, Gonzales, Hemphill, Henderson, Lamb, Lampasas, Martin, Mason, Montague, Morris, Newton, Palo Pinto, San Jacinto, Swisher, Titus, Tyler.