Monday, March 16, 2020, 11:30 a.m. Update - County Judge Issues Disaster Declaration For Collin County
McKINNEY, TEXAS – Collin County Judge Chris Hill announced a formal disaster declaration for Collin County today, to better position and prepare the county and its communities to respond to the public health emergencies that may arise from the coronavirus outbreak.
The disaster declaration comes in the wake of similar announcements on Friday from President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
“Since the first news of the coronavirus outbreak, Collin County has been working diligently with the State of Texas and our local cities to prepare for this eventuality. We stand ready to partner with and support our communities in any way necessary,” said Judge Hill, whose statutory duties include serving as the county’s emergency management coordinator. “We all have to work together to safeguard the health of our community. This declaration ensures that we are able to access and share strategic resources and supplies as they become available.”
The mayors of Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano, working in cooperation with Judge Hill, issued similar declarations today.
As of this morning, county health officials have reported eight presumptive positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Collin County.
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Friday, March 13, 2020, 12:20 p.m. Update - Collin County Update Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Public Health Report
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Five (5) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Collin County at this time.
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There are 63 Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) in Collin County at this time.
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Zero (0) Collin County employees have tested positive or are under monitoring at this time.
Emergency Declaration
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No emergency declaration has been issued for Collin County at this time.
County Operations
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All non-essential court operations in Collin County have been postponed until April 1. Essential court proceedings will continue as scheduled and are defined by the respective courts' orders. District Courts. County Courts at Law. Justice Courts.
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Other county offices are open and operating during normal business hours. At the direction of elected officials and department heads, employees with the ability to work remotely are being instructed to do so.
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All non-essential work-related travel by county employees is prohibited. All county employee work-related travel for training and conferences has been cancelled through April 1.
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County employees with fever or flu-like symptoms are required to stay home from work and are prohibited from returning to work until they have been fever-free without medication for 24 hours.
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Collin County employees have been directed to cancel all non-essential staff meetings & community meetings.
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The Collin County Commissioners Court will not be cancelling meetings at this time. All non-essential employees have been directed to monitor the Court meeting online and not attend in person.
Closures & Cancellations
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The Collin County Master Gardener’s 2020 Garden Show, scheduled for Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, has been cancelled. No decisions about rescheduling the event have been made at this time.
All updates will be posted on the Collin County website.
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Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Update - Collin County Judge Chris Hill's Statement
Collin County Health Care Services (CCHCS) has confirmed three cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within Collin County. The updated number includes the original case of a Frisco man reported on Monday, as well as his wife and a three-year-old child, one of the family’s four children.
Health officials tested all six members of the family and a close family contact on Monday afternoon, hours after the father reported he had tested “presumptive positive” for the virus. All seven individuals are in stable condition and in self-quarantine in their own homes. One school-age child had an inconclusive test and is being re-tested. All other individuals tested negative.
The father, believed to have been exposed to the virus during a business trip to California in late February, did not show any symptoms while flying home, and officials said he did not pose a risk to others who were on the same plane. Likewise, health officials confirmed that both of the family’s school-age children did not have symptoms and were not contagious at any time while they attended school.
County epidemiology staff are closely monitoring the cases, working to identify additional individuals who had contact with the confirmed cases while the individuals were symptomatic. Those identified as having close contact to the cases will be contacted by health officials.
The immediate risk of transmission in Collin County remains low.
Like most Texas counties, Collin County does not have an onsite laboratory to test for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-2019), but two commercial laboratories have announced their capability to perform COVID-19 testing. Quest Diagnostics began testing March 9, and LabCorp began testing March 5. People seeking testing should contact their doctor for testing referrals.
On a personal note this morning, I ask you to pray for this family in our community, for their quick recovery and return to full health, and for the health and safety of the family members who do not have Coronavirus.# # # # #
Monday, March 9, 2020 Update - Collin County Judge Chris Hill's Statement
Collin County health officials have identified a presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus, COVID-19. A Frisco man in his late 30’s who recently traveled to California is stable, in isolation in his home, and is being monitored by county health care staff. Collin County Health Care Services (CCHCS) will await further testing to confirm the initial results, since the patient’s symptoms have not required hospitalization.
CCHCS is also monitoring the man’s family, setting up any needed tests, and working to identify any contacts who may have been exposed while he was infectious. Anyone found to have had close contact to the patient will be contacted directly by county health care staff.
The immediate risk of transmission in Collin County remains low, according to health officials here.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness for COVID-19 cases. Symptoms of fever, cough and/or shortness of breath may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.
For questions, please call Collin County Health Services during business hours at (972) 548-4707. After business hours please call Sheriff's dispatch at (972) 547-5350.
For more information on COVID 19, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
