TEXARKANA, Texas - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Texarkana region is expected to increase as more testing becomes available and state health agencies work through a backlog of tests already performed, local officials said Tuesday.
Because of "minimal" testing for the new coronavirus so far, as well as a seven-day to 10-day wait for test results, the public can assume there are more infected people in the area, Bowie County, Texas, Judge Bobby Howell said during a morning news briefing at the Texarkana, Texas, Convention Center.
"There are more positive cases in our area, but they have not been identified," Howell said.
Some Texas-side clinics have begun offering coronavirus testing conducted by private laboratories, shortening the wait time for results. Plans are underway to establish a testing site on the Arkansas side, as well, designated Local Health Authority Dr. Matt Young said.
Neither Arkansas-side Mayor Allen Brown nor Miller County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison took part in Tuesday's briefing.
As of Monday morning, there were nine confirmed cases among residents of Bowie County, two in Cass County, Texas, and two in Miller County, Arkansas. In addition, two contractors who recently worked in Bowie County, one from Georgia and the other from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, tested positive when they returned home, Howell said.
Local officials including Young decided early in the crisis to conduct their own investigations of positive patients, tracing and in some cases testing their contacts and recommending appropriate steps such as self-quarantine, Howell said.
The regional emergency Joint Operations Center is in daily telephone contact with those under investigative observation. Forcing people with exposure to the virus into mandatory quarantine is an option, but so far all have been cooperative, Young said.
A lack of sufficient supplies such as testing kits and personal protective equipment for health care providers is a problem local officials are trying to solve by working through "the chain of command," Young said. Requests are being channeled to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office through local legislative representatives, he said.
Abbott has created a Supply Chain Task Force to oversee distribution of medical equipment in the state and allocated $83 million to purchase more, as well as asking for equipment donations from private citizens.
"We've got to wait our turn," Young said.
As a shelter in place order remains in effect for Bowie County, Texas-side Mayor Bob Bruggeman asked business owners to evaluate their services to determine if they are actually essential and therefore should remain open. Acknowledging some ambiguity in the language of the order, Howell said he was doing the best he could to identify essential businesses on a case-by-case basis.
Until 12 a.m. April 13, Bowie County residents may not leave their homes except for purposes deemed essential, such as buying groceries. All nonessential businesses must cease operations except for certain minimal operations. All nonessential travel is prohibited. The order is being enforced by local law enforcement agencies. Violations could be punished by a $1,000 fine and/or 180 days of incarceration.
Both Texarkanas remain under a mandatory 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and violators could receive a municipal citation.
Officials urge citizens to continue following public health guidelines such as staying at least 6 feet away from others and washing hands frequently.