Protecting the elderly and vulnerable is at the forefront of Texas Governor Abbott’s Open Texas Report issued last week.


Those aged from 65 years of age and older account for 76% of COVID-19 related fatalities according to information from the DSHS.

As of the end of April, approximately 19% of nursing homes and 3% of assisted living centers have at minimum of one positive COVID-19 case.


Nursing Homes


A detailed mitigation program has been outlined for nursing homes to follow during the pandemic.


The recommendations are as follows:

–Once a resident or a staff member test positive, the home must work to have all residents and staff members tested.


–Have a mitigation plan to properly handle the infection, in regards to how many cases the home currently has.

–Positive facilities that have not had complete testing, must work to have everyone tested.


–First and Foremost, mitigation plans should be containment, including isolation and relocation.

–Limit the people who enter and leave the facility, and who they have contact with while there.


–Those who visit more than one nursing home should have a greater level of screening including, separate entrance and exit, decontamination practices, greater screening criteria and/or requirements.


–Immediately, inform all who have had contact, or recently had contact, with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.


–If no positive, continue infection control assessments and maintaining compliance with all the various guidelines set forth by organizations like the CDC and the DSHS.


The intention with this plan is to have a strong local and state level interaction
Nursing facilities must also adhere to reporting requirements established by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).


Other long-term care facilities will have guidance developed to enhance infection control standards.


At Home

“People 65 years or older, especially those with medical issues like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or a weakened immune system, are at a higher risk for getting very sick or dying from COVID‑19,” as per the report.


Follow all CDC guidelines, and these additional recommendations from the State of Texas:


–Minimize face-to-face contact with others.


–Avoid small children.

–Each individual should have a cloth mask on, regardless of them displaying symptoms or not.


–Grocery and/or restaurant delivery, mail order prescriptions, and phone appointments with your doctor are highly suggested when possible. Freestone County residents may contact your grocery store, restaurant, pharmacy and doctor’s office to see what options are available.


–Ask friends, family and neighbors to help you acquire essential items.


–Wash your hands properly for at least 20 seconds, or use 60% or higher hand sanitizer.


–If you must go in public, wear a facemask and stay at least six feet away from other people.


–Disinfect places frequently touched.

–Do not share glasses, plates or eating utensils with others.

–Call your healthcare provider if you display any symptoms, even mild ones.

–Walking and Gardening are healthy as long as you follow guidelines.

–Check in with those around you, and your loved ones, so they know how you are doing.

These actions will help to protect the most vulnerable members of Texas.