New numbers released by the Liberty County Office of Emergency Management show Liberty County has 14 additional deaths related to COVID-19. That brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Liberty County to 17.
A delay in reporting from the Texas Department of State Health Services is the reason for the sudden surge in numbers, according to Liberty County Judge Jay Knight. The judge has suspected for a few weeks that Liberty County would see such a surge. Two of the deceased were personal friends of his and were not previously reported because they died in Harris County.
“Liberty County residents who went to Harris County for treatment and passed away in Harris County will eventually be listed as Liberty County deaths, but it takes some time for DSHS to catch up,” Knight said. “DSHS is handling the response for the entire state and they are covered up with cases.”
To date, 6,000 people have been tested for COVID-19 at testing sites in Liberty, Dayton and Cleveland, though some of the people were from neighboring counties. Of those tested, 702 Liberty County residents were confirmed for COVID-19. Of the 702 cases, 417 people are recovered and 268 are active cases.
As of Monday, 29 new cases were added for Liberty County – 16 from the north end of the county and 13 from the south end. Thirteen of the new cases are male and 14 are female. See the attached chart below for more information on the ages of the most recent victims.
A statewide mask order is still in effect for Texas that requires masks to be worn over the mouth and nose in all public places in counties with 20 or more positive cases of COVID-19. While Liberty County does not have a separate mask order as the state’s order would supersede the county, the mayors of Liberty, Dayton and Cleveland all signed an order requiring a mask policy for commercial entities that provide goods and services directly to the public. The policy must be posted at the entrances to the business and fines of $500 per violation may be assessed.
“There is some indication that the masks are helping. Hopefully the masks will cut down on the chances of the illness being spread to anyone else,” Knight said.
To avoid the spread of the disease, the judge says Liberty County residents should continue using safe practices, such as wearing a mask in public areas, washing hands frequently, social distancing whenever possible and avoiding large gatherings of 10 or more people.
If you are a small business owner complaining about your business suffering but are posting on social media about all the things you are buying personally I don’t feel sorry for you, I feel sorry for the employees you you laid off. Money you accepted from the government to help keep your business going not your selfish needs. #PaycheckProtectionProgram#CARESact
If you are a small business owner complaining about your business suffering but are posting on social media about all the things you are buying personally I don’t feel sorry for you, I feel sorry for the employees you you laid off. Money you accepted from the government to help keep your business going not your selfish needs.
If you are a small business owner complaining about your business suffering but are posting on social media about all the things you are buying personally I don’t feel sorry for you, I feel sorry for the employees you you laid off. Money you accepted from the government to help keep your business going not your selfish needs. #PaycheckProtectioProgram#CARESact
The mask isn’t the reason your business is suffering YOU are.
For the people in the back saying they will take their business elsewhere! You obviously don’t get out much. Go back under your rock!
I noticed Circle H feed store in Cleveland was Not enforcing the mask rule on Saturday. Maybe they should be made aware they could be fined. I will not be visiting their store anymore for a while unless they straighten up
Praying for all the families who have lost loved ones and who have been sick. Wear the mask!!!
Trump says be Patriotic. Wear a mask.
We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President!
2:43 PM · Jul 20, 2020·Twitter for iPhone
I will continue to pray for our community and all of the families who have lost loved ones. Spread love, not your germs!
Go to Walmart and you will see many violations of people not wearing mask when I see people not wearing their mask right, or not at all it makes me wonder why when so many are dead already how they don’t care about the others around them.And then they say “I can do what I want to with my body it isn’t hurting anyone but me” That is WRONG they are maybe killing another person, or at least causing a person to suffer this awful disease. I really am sad when I see the young people I know are claiming to be Christian not care about the people that they come in contact with.
This is just so sad. Praying for our community!