No new COVID cases reported

By Donnie A. Lucas

In contrast with recent statewide data, Shackelford County residents are still holding the COVID-19 virus at bay with no new tests administered during the past week.

County judge Robert Skelton reported Monday that a total of 31 tests have been administered since mid-March, and all have returned negative.

The single positive case that was recorded in the county, which was tested for in a neighboring county, was released from quarantine several weeks ago.

Despite the lack of recent testing, county residents are urged to step up their preventative efforts as the virus is apparently surging in other areas of the state.

Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference on Monday to voice concern about the growing numbers affected by the virus in the state.

“To state the obvious, COVID-19 is now spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas,” Abbott said. “If spikes continue, additional measures are going to be necessary.”

Over the past month, the governor has eased restrictions in phases to reopen the economy and get Texans back to work. 

Abbott said that there are no immediate plans for a second shutdown of businesses, but he is aggressively urging the use of masks by people in public settings.

During the press conference, Dr. John Hellersted, head of the Texas Department of State Health Services, said the state spike in cases puts Texas “at a very crucial point in time.”

He called on all Texans to regain the “sense of community” the public seemed to display in making sacrifices earlier in the pandemic.

It was noted that many local communities across the state have various levels of requiring the use of masks, although Abbott remains steady in his position not to order statewide mask-wearing orders at this point.

Local officials are also urging residents to use care.

“It is my wish that every-one stay safe and well,” judge Skelton said.

Albany mayor Susan Montgomery said that she knows of no plans to mandate the wearing of masks locally, but she encourages people to do so when in public.

“We are highly recommending that everyone wear a mask and follow all the other recommendations in order not to spread the virus,” she said. “We have got to be diligent in order not to see stricter guidelines reestablished. We need to be good neighbors and respond to what is happening in the state.”