TEXARKANA, Texas - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bowie County, Texas, has reached nine, while two cases have been confirmed in Cass County, Texas, one in Texarkana, Arkansas, and one in unincorporated Miller County, Arkansas, according to official Monday afternoon briefings.
The joint Emergency Operations Center established by the three counties confirmed in an email one death related to the disease in Bowie County. The EOC also confirmed that two employees of Lasalle Corrections, a private company that manages the Bi-State Jail and the Bowie County Jail annex in Texarkana, have tested positive for the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The EOC warned citizens to avoid self-medicating with non-pharmaceutical chloroquine phosphate, which can be fatal, or any other drug without consulting a doctor and getting a prescription.
Chloroquine phosphate is a toxic chemical used in home aquariums that in at least one case people have ingested thinking it would prevent COVID-19, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some people seem to be confusing chloroquine phosphate with hydroxychloroquine sulfate, a drug primarily used to treat malaria. Based on anecdotal evidence, President Donald Trump and others have suggested that hydroxychloroquine sulfate is an effective treatment for COVID-19, despite a lack of clinical trials or Food and Drug Administration approval.
"At this time, there are no routinely available pharmaceutical products that are FDA-approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
"Pharmaceutical chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat specific medical conditions, such as malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
"Currently, these medications are being studied and evaluated as treatment for COVID-19; however, their efficacy to either prevent or treat this infection are unknown," the CDC stated.
It is not recommended to seek out testing for the new coronavirus unless an individual cannot manage their symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications, the email stated.
The briefing pointed citizens toward a screening tool developed by the CDC and Apple that helps people evaluate symptoms and determine whether they should be tested. It is available at apple.com/covid19.
Local Health Authority Dr. Matt Young advises individuals who are feeling ill to treat symptoms with acetaminophen, aka Tylenol, and avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aka Advil. Sick people should stay at home until their symptoms are not manageable, the email states.
The EOC is monitoring supplies of personal protective equipment in local health care facilities and asking for cooperation in getting as accurate a count as possible.
Health care providers are asked to complete a PPE availability survey available at the EOC website, coronatxk.org.
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THE EMAIL STATES:
At the time of this release, Bowie County has seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Cass County has two confirmed cases. Texarkana, Arkansas has one positive case.
The CDC has issued a warning against taking non-pharmaceutical chloroquine phosphate. For more information, visit http://coronatxk.org/DocumentCenter/View/6841/CDC-HAN-431-002
A new screening tool has been developed by the CDC and Apple, allowing users to answer a few questions and determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19. It can be found here: https://www.apple.com/covid19
The CISA Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce has been updated as of this morning: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA_Guidance_on_the_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workforce_Version_2.0_Updated.pdf
The Emergency Operations Center is monitoring PPE (personal protective equipment) supplies in local healthcare facilities. Please fill out the survey to help us determine needs: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyCo8dhcQQmZJNp8993XiveAnTZCkCfU3s_4lWPJWn-qnwrg/viewform?usp=sf_link
At this time, it is not recommended to seek out testing for the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) unless an individual cannot manage their symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications. Dr. Matt Young, Local Health Authority, advises individuals who may be feeling ill to treat symptoms with acetaminophen, and avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. Stay at home until your symptoms are not manageable.
We know during this time there is a lot of uncertainty and fear. It can be especially hard for those residents who are experiencing an interruption at their job, or who are dependent on social services for their day-to-day lives. If you or someone you know is feeling anxious or depressed during this time, please seek help. You can call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
Several local grocery stores and retail establishments have instituted policies to assist senior citizens with shopping and access to basic necessities. Visit www.coronatxk.org for a list of these stores and their provisions.
Please support our local restaurants for carry-out. Most, if not all, of our financial institutions now have their lobbies closed. Most have extended their drive-thru hours. Check their local websites and facebook pages for their update hours.
Both Arkansas and Texas have laws in place regarding price gouging. It is prohibited for any prices to exceed 10% of pre-disaster prices. If you notice price gouging occurring at any local establishments, please contact your respective attorney general offices.