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Hays County Government Center not evacuated over coronavirus despite rumors

By Elizabeth Evans
Published  March 2, 2020 5:33pm CST
Coronavirus
FOX 7 Austin

SAN MARCOS, Texas - The Hays County Sheriff's Office is addressing rumors that the Hays County Government Center was evacuated Monday due to coronavirus.

In a press release posted to NextDoor, HCSO says a potential jury member expressed concern that because they had been in contact with a friend who was recently in southern Italy, they might have been exposed to the coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution, all potential jury members were sent home, which sparked rumors that the Government Center had been evacuated.

RELATED: San Antonio mayor issues declaration of public health emergency over coronavirus

Hays County Epidemiologist Eric Schneider later spoke with the individual in question and determined that any risk of exposure was minimal to none. Neither person in question was exhibiting any symptoms and the traveler was not in an area of high risk.

Schneider will continue to follow up with the individual in Hays County.

To date, HCSO says there have been no cases of coronavirus in Hays County, and no one has required testing for it. However, flu is still an issue in Hays County and most of the country.

RELATED: US COVID-19 death toll climbs to 6 in Washington

HCSO says that it was expected that cases would show up, so this is not a surprise, nor is it an immediate threat to the community. Residents can protect themselves, their families, and their community by using the same healthy behaviors to prevent the flu:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue or your 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

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Anyone with questions about the coronavirus can contact their healthcare provider or the Hays County Local Health Department at 512-393-5520. The Texas Department of State Health Services also has detailed information about coronavirus.