The City of Lockhart is monitoring developments pertaining to the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness worldwide. All information in this section is sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Common ways COVID-19 spreads
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not believed to be the main way the virus spreads.
Symptoms of COVID-19
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as many as 14 days after exposure.
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
For more information about what to do if you are sick, click here visit the CDC webpage.
** If you are concerned you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, please contact your medical provider. **
At-Risk individuals
According to the CDC, some individuals are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract COVID-19. Those people include individuals to whom one or more of the following applies:
- 65 or older
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Decreased immune system
Prevention
Read the CDC's guidelines here.
The CDC offers the following tips for the public to protect themselves and their families.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, or into your flexed elbow. If you sneeze or cough into your hands, wash them immediately.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when your hands are not properly washed.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with normal household cleaning supplies such as bleach wipes and disinfectant sprays.
- Practice social distancing. Social distancing involves staying away from other people to avoid catching or spreading illness. It's a fancy term for avoiding crowds and minimizing physical contact. This could mean avoiding concerts or weddings, skipping the handshake, and/or staying at least six feet away from others.
- The CDC is now recommending people wear cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help prevent asymptomatic carriers from unknowingly transmitting it to others. This link from the CDC has information on how to craft your own mask from household materials: https://www.cdc.gov/…/prevent…/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
COVID-19 testing
Your doctor will help make the decision if you should get tested for COVID-19.
If you do not have health insurance, you can still get tested for COVID-19 if your doctor or healthcare provider recommends it.
For information about testing, you just need to call your doctor and/or access care the way you usually do. If you need help finding a doctor or accessing medical care, call 2-1-1 and they can direct you to low- or no-cost providers in your area.
For questions about COVID-19 testing, dial 2-1-1, then choose Option 6.
COVID-19 Vaccine
The DSHS is now maintaining a vaccine information page on its website, which includes updates about the vaccine distribution schedule. Visit here for up-to-date information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas:
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx
General questions
Dial 2-1-1 and select option 6 to speak with a Texas Health and Human Services representative. Hours are 7 a.m.-8 p.m. The lines are open seven days a week.
Staying informed
It is easy to run into inaccurate information on the web. Visit one of the links below to educate yourself with trustworthy information.
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/default.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019