BROWNSVILLE, Texas – There were an additional 49 more deaths associated with the coronavirus in the Rio Grande Valley on Monday, plus 846 new positive cases.
In Hidalgo County, the official report was: 34 deaths and 524 more positive cases. In Cameron County, the official report was: 15 deaths and 322 more positive cases.
Hidalgo County has now recorded over COVID-19 300 deaths.
“I offer the deepest sympathies as I grieve with the friends and families who said goodbye to their loved ones today,” said Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez. “If we collectively stand against this virus by taking the proper precautions, we can help save our neighbors from this horrible disease. Please continue to Shelter-At-Home, wear facial coverings, and limit mass gatherings.”
Cortez said there are 7,203 net active cases and 108 people were released from isolation on Monday meaning that they have been symptom-free for 10 days, including three days without a fever. There are currently 1,024 people hospitalized with complications from the virus in Hidalgo County; 228 of those cases are being treated in intensive care units.
In his capacity as his county’s Emergency Management Director, Judge Richard F. Cortez on Monday signed a new county order for all residents and visitors in the county. The new emergency orders include a shelter at home order, curfew, essential travel limitations and a requirement for everyone to use facial coverings while outdoors.
The county judges of Cameron, Starr and Willacy are expected to follow Cortez’s lead and impose shelter-in-place orders in the coming days.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., held a news conference about COVID-19 on Monday. During the event he showed a video of a party boat full of revelers taken off South Padre Island over the weekend. The revelers were not practicing social distance or wearing a face covering. “This video upset me to the core,” Treviño said.
Cameron County Health Authority Dr. James Castillo said there is a lag in the reporting of COVID-19 deaths and positive cases.
“The numbers you are going to be seeing this week are weeks old. These are people who died at the end of June and throughout the month of July. There are lots of people sick in the hospital right now,” Castillo said.
“You can trust these numbers. But trust me, they are worse than what we are reporting. If you are waiting for something to get really bad, it is here.”
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