REGARDING COVID-19
Protect yourself and other by following theses steps:

1. If you are sick, stay home, unless you are seeking medical care.
2. If you have a weakened immune system, or underlying health conditions, that put you at greater risk of becoming ill, stay home. People 65 and older are also at greater risk of developing severe disease.
3. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
4. Disinfect hard surfaces and frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, doorknobs and faucets. When you shop, wipe down the handle of your shopping cart with antibacterial wipes.
5. Practice social distancing by keeping six feet between you and other people, especially if they are sick.
6. Cover your cough with your elbow or a tissue and throw that tissue in the trash.
7. Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth.
We ask that you use caution and do what is best for you and your family.
If you have questions or concerns, please call the Sweetwater -Nolan County Health Department at 325-235-5463.

On Tuesday, May 12th, the Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department was notified by Hendrick Medical Center, that an 87 year old male, from Fisher County, had tested positive for Covid-19 and was currently in their hospital. In a telephone interview with the patient’s daughter, it was learned that there is one household contact, who is currently in isolation and awaiting test results. The only travel history this patient had was to his doctor in Taylor County.

On Thursday, April 23^rd, the Sweetwater – Nolan County Health Department was notified by Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital, that a patient was tested for Covid-19 and the results had come back positive. The patient is a 37 year old female who was not admitted to the hospital. The patient is a resident of Sweetwater, and traveled to Sweetwater from another city in Texas. She is aware of her positive result and is isolating at this time and will be monitored by the health department for 14 days. The health department is also doing contact tracing. This is the first positive case for Nolan County.

On Tuesday, April 14^th, the Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department was notified by Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital, that a patient in the hospital had tested positive for CoVid 19. This patient is not from Nolan county. This case is not a resident of Texas and will therefore not be counted in the Nolan county testing update.

While driving through Nolan County, on Sunday, April 12^th, the patient stopped at the TA Truck Stop in Sweetwater Texas, during the hour of 2:30 to 3:30. During a telephone interview with the patient, he stated he went into the TA Truck Stop to use the restroom and then visited Popeye’s chicken, where he ordered a meal. He states he was wearing a mask when he entered the business. He then walked back out to his vehicle to sit and eat and that is when he felt ill and called for paramedics.

The Sweetwater-Nolan County Health Department notified the TA Truck Stop and spoke with the manager to inform him that staff, especially those working the register at Popeye’s should isolate themselves and monitor themselves for signs of CoVid 19.

If you visited the TA Truck Stop or the food court, on Sunday April,12^th during the hour of 2:30 to 3:30, you should isolate and monitor your health. If you develop fever, shortness of breath or cough, seek medical attention.

Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer, cough and sneeze into your sleeve, practice social distancing and stay home unless it is necessary for you to go out.

If you have questions or concerns, please call the Sweetwater Nolan County Health Department at 325-235-5463.

Testing for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We have had many calls asking if the health department performs testing for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We do not.

If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or if you have traveled to a place where COVID-19 is widespread, or if you develop fever, cough and shortness of breath, seek medical attention. Asymptomatic (having no symptoms) people are not being tested at this time.

Call ahead to your physician or emergency room if you feel you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms. If you are calling 9-11, tell the dispatcher about your symptoms and any travel history or exposure you feel you’ve had