Good and bad news from virus testing
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Sheri Baty/The Knox County News-Courier
National Guard team prepares for testing at Knox City Community Center.
By James McAfee / The Knox County News-Courier—
BENJAMIN—Knox County Judge Stan Wojcik got good news Saturday when he finally got the results of virus tests performed last Monday at Knox City; all 33 came back negative.
However, bad news came from neighboring Haskell County as the Rolling Plains Detention Center reported 23 confirmed positive tests for its occupants.
“We have a lot of residents who work there,” added Wojcik.
Haskell County Judge Kenny Thompson reported that new detainees are held in separate dorms for two weeks, and on Wednesday, April 29, three inmates showed mild symptoms of COVID-19 and were immediately placed in medical isolation.
The first three detainees to show symptoms were tested at the facility on Thursday and officials received the positive results on Saturday. Once those three individuals tested positive, officials then tested the rest of the detainees, which resulted in 20 additional cases.
During a video conference last week, Wojcik indicated the Knox County Courthouse would be reopened until May 15, but only by making an appointment. “Unless they are coming for marriage license, only one person can be in any office at one time,” he said. “We’ll offer facemasks.”
In addition, the judge said Knox was lucky to have five or less positive tests, allowing restaurants here to open at 50% of capacity instead of 25% under Gov. Greg Abbott’s new rules. A few restaurants took advantage and added seating to take-out services.
Wojcik cautioned that the relaxing of the rules doesn’t mean the virus has been eliminated and everyone needed to continue to be cautious and protect themselves and their families. “Unless a vaccine is found, we are going to have to live with this problem,” he said.
The Knox City Fire Department decided to postpone its scramble golf tournament, scheduled Saturday at the Knox County Country Club, after calling the judge Monday morning to get his thoughts.
At least one church, the Munday Church of Christ, decided to reopen last Sunday, but managed to keep social distancing as only 21 people spread out in the auditorium. Other churches kept having virtual services, but several may soon decide to start meeting after May 15.
It was announced that the Munday church of Christ VBS scheduled this summer had been cancelled as Kody Speer just felt it wasn’t safe for all concerned, including his kids from San Antonio.
