Editor's note: Hays County reported 47 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of press time on Saturday, however, this is a rapidly evolving situation. For up to date info regarding cases in the county visit sanmarcosrecord.com.
Hays County reported the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Wimberley on Friday.
The county stated Friday that it has 47 total cases and 34 active cases. Additionally, Hays County has received 260 negative tests and has 11 pending tests.
San Marcos and Kyle have seen 16 cases each. Kyle has 14 active cases, while San Marcos has 12 active cases. Buda has had nine total cases and five active cases. Austin, within Hays County, has had three total cases and one active case. Dripping Springs has had two cases, including one active case. Wimberley has currently one active case.
Thirteen county residents have recovered from the disease and six have been hospitalized because of the illness, including one patient currently at a local hospital.
The majority of patients, 47, who have tested positive for COVID-19 have reported no travel history before becoming ill. Seven patients who have contracted the disease reported travel history prior to feeling sick.
Thirty females and 17 males have been diagnosed with the illness.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear between 2-14 days of exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that people should seek medical attention if they display one or more of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion or inability to arouse; or bluish lips or face. The CDC recommends calling a doctor’s office or emergency room before going. Those who self-isolate with COVID-19 can leave self-isolation if they haven't had a fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers), symptoms have improved and it’s been at least 7 days since symptoms first appeared, according to the CDC.
Texas State reports sick student
Texas State University reported Friday that a student who was on its San Marcos campus on March 27 has tested positive for COVID-19.
The student, who was confirmed to have the disease on March 30, was on campus with a parent to move out of a residence hall. According to the university, the student was asymptomatic at the time and didn’t have close contact with anyone other than the parent.
The student has only had mild symptoms, the university said. The university’s Department of Housing and Residential Life created a move-out process to promote social distancing practices. The university stated that the risk of exposure to others was "very low" because the student was asymptomatic and had no close contact with anyone other than the parent during the move-out process.
“It has been determined that no particular actions are necessary at this time,” the university said in a press release. “Texas State will carefully analyze any subsequent or additional COVID-19 incidents on a case-by-case basis and will issue additional reports only if other significant factors call for a follow-up notification.”