Juan Rodriguez, Jr.

County Judge, Jim Wells County
200 N. Almond Street, Ste. 101
Alice, Texas 78332
jwccountyjudge@co.jim-wells.tx.us
Phone:  361-668-5706, Press 1
Fax:  361-668-8671

Date of Notice: April 7, 2020

Jim Wells County Emergency Management Coordinator
Protective Gear (Masks)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html

Jim Wells County is urging all residents of Jim Wells County to strictly follow the latest CDC advisory (see link above) regarding Protective Gear (Masks). All citizens are encouraged to voluntarily comply with the directive to wear protective gear. In order to comply with the directive please adhere to the following:

Except as provided herein, all persons over the age of five (5) are required to wear some form of covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief, when: entering into or inside of any building open to the public; or when pumping gas.

This Section shall not apply to persons that are:

1. engaging in a permissible outside physical activity;
2. that are riding in a personal vehicle;
3. that are in alone in a separate single space;
4. that are with their own shelter group (household members);
5. when doing so poses a greater health, safety or security risk;
6. or for consumption purposes.

The intent of this Order is to protect the physical health and well-being of Jim Wells County citizens and to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible. This request is a proactive measure being taken for the health and safety of the citizens of Jim Wells County, Texas. Jim Wells County will monitor voluntary compliance beginning Tuesday, April 7, 2020. If it appears that residents are not voluntarily complying with this request, then the Jim Wells County Commissioners’ Court reserves the right to address this matter by way of a formal order (punishable by a fine not to exceed $500) at its next regular meeting.

DSHS has set up a hotline if you have any questions about COVID-19 and are looking for information on how to get tested at (956) 421-5505. Please continue to take all local, county, CDC and Texas DSHS recommended precautions to keep your family safe. Be safe everyone and let’s get through this together..

Juan Rodriguez, Jr., County Judge
Jim Wells County

You can follow all the latest information of COVID-19 at these reliable sources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/
• https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/

Juan Rodriguez, Jr.

County Judge, Jim Wells County
200 N. Almond Street, Ste. 101
Alice, Texas 78332
jwccountyjudge@co.jim-wells.tx.us
Phone:  361-668-5706, Press 1
Fax:  361-668-8671

Date of Notice: April 3, 2020

On Friday afternoon at approximately 2:00 p.m., Jim Wells County Judge Juan Rodriguez and Jim Wells County Emergency Management Coordinator Juan Acuña were notified of another positive case of COVID-19. This is officially the second positive case in Jim Wells County.

This second individual is a resident of the county and is a 20-25 year old female that was positively identified through a private resource lab and it is unknown at this time if this is travel related or through community spread. Personal information, such as exact location, is protected under the HIPPA Privacy Rule, and as such, those details will not be released now or for any future COVID-19 cases.

Our officials and staff continue to work very closely with our neighboring counties and state health services department. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will conduct case investigations on this, and all positive COVID-19, cases that arise and ensure proper isolation and 14-day quarantine is strictly adhered to. In addition, DSHS will be sure family members stay isolated and quarantined as well and will be sure the family has supplies needed to be able to stay at home and follow protocol.

This is just another reminder that this virus is in our neighborhood and with more testing being done, the more likely it will be to get another positive case. With this knowledge, citizens are urged to continue to adhere to the Order to Stay At Home, social distance and routinely wash hands and cover/block your sneeze and coughs.

DSHS has set up a hotline if you have any questions about COVID-19 and are looking for information on
how to get tested at (956) 421-5505.

Please continue to take all local, county, CDC and Texas DSHS recommended precautions to keep your
family safe.

Be safe everyone and let’s get through this together.

Juan Rodriguez, Jr., County Judge
Jim Wells County

You can follow all the latest information of COVID-19 at these reliable sources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/
• https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/

DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
Date of Notice: 03/14/2020
Jim Wells County, 200 N. Almond St., Alice, Texas 78332, (361) 668-5706

WHEREAS, beginning in December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated as COVID-19, was detected in mainland China, and has since spread throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic on March 11, 2020; and

WHEREAS, extraordinary measure must be taken to contain COVID-19 and prevent its spread throughout Jim Wells County, Texas; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF JIM WELLS COUNTY, TEXAS:

1. That a state of disaster is declared for Jim Wells County, Texas, pursuant to section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. That the County's Emergency Management Plan has been implemented.
3. That this state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days of the date hereof, unless the same is continued by consent of the Commissioners' Court of the County of Jim Wells, Texas.
4. That this proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance.

Juan Rodriguez, Jr., County Judge
Jim Wells County