First county case officially confirmed

By Donnie A. Lucas

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Shackelford County was officially reported late last week to county judge Robert Skelton.

The positive test was for a female under the age of 40 and was reported to the judge by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The first positive test is also reflected on the DSHS website on the COVID-19 Dashboard.

The state website currently states that a total of 13 tests have been administered in Shackelford County, although the confirmed case was actually tested in a neighboring county, according to health officials.

Pop-Up Site

A one-day pop-up testing site was held on Sunday at the Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center, with a total of 13 additional tests reported. The results of those tests have not been reported yet.

The testing was conducted by the Texas Department of Emergency Management in conjunction with the Texas Military Department Mobile Testing Squad.

Testing is still available locally through the Shackelford County Health Clinic and ResoureCare, both located in Albany.

Albany businesses have slowly been reopening according to phased-in measures detailed by Gov. Greg Abbott, including the opening of retail, restaurants and other facilities at a occupancy rate of 50 percent.

The governor allowed beauty salons, barbers, and nail salons to also begin serving customers starting May 8 by appointment and following certain guidelines.

Abbott is scheduled to hold another press conference on Monday, May 18 to announce whether the state is ready to activate Phase 2 of his reopening plan.

“I think that the reopening has gone well,” Albany mayor Susan Montgomery said. “We seem to be keeping the safety protocol that the governor established.”

The mayor did ask that residents continue to be diligent about wearing masks or face coverings, along with continuing to social distance and follow strict handwashing guidelines.

“Hopefully, we will see the governor open up even more of the businesses and ease restrictions next Monday,” Montgomery said. “It is all going to depend on how well Texans are abiding by the guidelines to keep the coronavirus from spreading in our communities.”
The mayor noted that some local businesses have continued a more cautious approach to reopening.

“It is up to each business owner to do what is safest for their customers and employees,” she said. “There isn’t a mandate requiring anyone to open back up unless they are ready.”

As part of the governor’s loosening of restrictions last week, local schools were given several options about conducting graduation ceremonies. The Albany school district has opted for a live ceremony on Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. at the football stadium.

Outdoor ceremonies are now allowed, although social distancing of the spectators is required, and the total number in attendance is limited to 50 percent of capacity.

Shackelford County, along with other counties with five or fewer confirmed cases, is allowed to open to the 50 percent level currently. Counties with more than five cases are limited to a 25 percent occupancy rate in businesses, restaurants, and other social gatherings.