2nd presumptive case of COVID 19 reported in Bell County – KWTX

BELTON, Texas (Bell Co. Health Dist.) - A second presumptive positive case of COVID 19 has been identified in Bell County.

The county has the only presumptive cases of the virus in Central Texas.

Bell County Public Health District identified the second presumptive case late Sunday night.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still must confirm the results.

The individual is a 70-year-old man living in the Belton area with a travel history to Europe.

The Bell County Public Health District initiated what it described as a "self-isolation protocol and contact tracing for this case."

Bell County is currently in Stage 2 of its COVID 19 Action Plan, which is being amended Monday to recommend that all gatherings of 50 or more people be canceled or postponed.

This action is being taken in accordance with guidance from both the CDC and the Bell County Public Health District, said Bell County Judge David Blackburn.

I urge event organizers to heed the recommendation and cancel or postpone events scheduled within the next eight weeks.

The initial Bell County COVID 19 Action Plan, released on March 12, 2020, did not include recommendations about the size of gatherings.

The county announced its first presumptive case on Friday.

The 29-year-old Belton man, who works at Laerdal Medical in Gatesville, visited Barcelona, Spain and Paris between March 4 and March 10.

Coryell County Judge Roger Miller issued a disaster declaration as a result of case.

Miller said six people in Copperas Cove were "exhibiting signs of illness."

They are all Laerdal employees.

On Monday Coryell County officials said two of the six tested positive for something other than the new coronavirus and results of tests performed on a third person were pending.

Information about the status of the other three wasn't available Monday.

A City of Woodway Public Safety Department employee asked to be allowed to self-quarantine because the employee's roommate was in contact with the Belton man although neither the employee nor the roommate was showing any signs of the virus.

The city said it made accommodations for the employee to work from home for 14 days as a precaution, and is monitoring that employees health on a daily basis during that time.

Woodways priority is and always will be the health and safety of our residents and our employees, Woodway Mayor Bob Howard said.

That employees prompt action is indicative of the type of people we have working for our city, taking a proactive stance to protect others, Howard said.

Bell County COVID19 Action Plan

Stage 1 (no confirmed cases of COVID19) Stay home if you are sick Avoid contact with persons who are sick Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue away Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a disinfectant Dont travel to areas with active community spread of COVID19 Wash your hands with soap and water regularly and use hand sanitizers with at least 60% of alcohol content when soap and water are not available

Stage 2 (a confirmed case of COVID19) All of Stage 1 measures Actively practice social distancing whenever possible maintain 6 feet distance from other persons Avoid physical contact with other persons in social and workplace settings Recommend all gatherings of 50 or more persons be canceled or postponed

Stage 3 (community spread of COVID19) All Stage 1 & Stage 2 measures Bell County &/or BCPHD may issue orders restricting and/or prohibiting mass gatherings and/or movement of people

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2nd presumptive case of COVID 19 reported in Bell County - KWTX