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COVID-19 Preparedness

As of June 26th at noon, per Governor’s Order bars are closed until further notice. As the COVID-19 situation continues to change, stay tuned to local official City and County websites for updates. Please check website and social media pages for bar establishments for other opportunities to support local through merchandise sales, to-go orders, and deliveries.

Governor Greg Abbott has issued Executive Order 29 requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces, with few exceptions, in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases. Open Texas checklists are being updated consistent with this order and will be posted after noon on Friday, July 3, 2020. The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10.

COVID-19 Prevention & Community Response

https://coronavirus-kerrvilletx.hub.arcgis.com/pages/covid19-prevention

https://coronavirus-kerrvilletx.hub.arcgis.com/

April 1, 2020 COVID-19 Preparedness Update

Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau to follow Governor Abbott’s Executive Order

Kerrville, TX – Per Governor Abbott’s current Executive Order announced yesterday, March 31st, 2020, the Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau office will be closed starting April 2nd, 2020. Staff will continue to work from home until May 1st, 2020, but will continue to monitor the ongoing situation. All staff will be reachable by email, or a voice message can be left by calling our office at (830) 792-3535 which will be checked remotely throughout the day.

“Social distancing is our best tool in the fight against COVID-19, and the actions we have taken thus far have proven to be effective in limiting the spread of this virus,” said Governor Abbott. “Now it is time to redouble our efforts to reduce further exposure as much as possible and flatten the curve. As with all the actions the state is taking, the Essential Services and Activities Protocols is informed by the expertise and guidance of the CDC as well as state and local health officials. I urge my fellow Texans to heed these heightened social distancing directives to protect their health and the health of those around them. By following these guidelines, we will limit the spread of COVID-19 and overcome this challenge together.”

For local information on COVID-19 call the City’s Joint Operation line at (830) 258-1111, visit Peterson Health’s website, or call Peterson Health’s hotline at (830) 896-4200 and select Option 1.

Important tips to continue to implement to help prevent novel coronavirus as well as other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unwashed hands. • Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of illness. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. • Cover your cough or sneezes with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow. Throw the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards. • Stay home when you are sick.

For more information and updates, contact any of the following:

Joint Operation Center – (830) 258-1111; Open Mon – Fri 8 AM – 5 PM

Peterson COVID-19 Hotline – (830) 896-4200 select Option 1; Open Mon – Fri 8 AM – 5 PM

Infection Prevention – Pam Burton, R.N., (830) 258-7448

Communications – Lisa Winters, Director of Marketing and Community Relations (830) 258-7628

Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau – Leslie Jones, Communications Coordinator (830) 792-3535

Additional resources for up to date information and preparedness please visit the World Health Organization and the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

March 31, 2020 COVID-19 Preparedness Update

DRIVE-IN CLINIC FOR COVID-19 SCREENING NOW OPEN
On Monday, March 30, Peterson Health began offering a new drive-in COVID-19 screening option. States Cory Edmondson, President and CEO of Peterson Health, “As more people are experiencing symptoms and the wave of community concern grows, Peterson is ready and willing to meet the need for a more accessible option for screening, possible ruling out COVD-19 or treating the symptoms people are experiencing, in a very coordinated and confined setting.”

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the City of Kerrville, Kerr County, and local law enforcement, Peterson Outreach Clinic went live and active at 9 a.m. on Monday morning. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hill Country Youth Event Center off Highway 27 in Kerrville.

This service is by appointment only and designed for people who are experiencing respiratory symptoms as outlined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) related to COVID-19. Symptoms must include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Simply call your primary care provider if you feel you need the screening. Those without a primary care physician may call Peterson Health’s COVID-19 hotline at 896-4200 for instructions. The hotline is open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven (7) days a week.

In order to protect the welfare of the healthcare workers on the front line, please make an appointment before arriving, and then stay isolated in your vehicles for the screening and ultimate specimen collection if necessary.

Peterson Health has a dedicated section of their website to answer many of your questions or concerns on COVID-19. Visit www.petersonhealth.com daily for the most current information and updates. For more information or to make an appointment, call the Outreach hotline at (830) 258-7814.

March 26, 2020 COVID-19 Preparedness Update

Kerrville continues operations in Phase – 4 of the emergency operations pandemic plan. Mayor Bill Blackburn has issued a Declaration of Disaster, which was ratified by City Council on March 20, 2020. The Declaration of Disaster can be viewed online here.

At this time there are no presumptive COVID-19 cases reported in Kerrville. For more about local COVID-19 testing, please view our March 20 Facebook interview with Peterson Regional Medical Center's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mack Blanton and PRMC Infection Preventionist Nurse Pam Burton. The two discuss local testing at approximately the 7-minute mark and again at the 12:48 mark. https://www.facebook.com/KerrvilleTX/videos/518417105531920/.

Following The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America and Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order, social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people are discouraged/prohibited. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf.

SENIOR SERVICES

• Walgreens has designated Tuesdays as Senior Day, with 8-9 a.m. being seniors-only hour. Walgreen’s in Kerrville can be accessed online.

• Walmart is allowing senior-only shopping (60+) every Tuesday from 6-7 am

Find more information on the City of Kerrville Emergency Preparedness Situation Report

March 20, 2020 COVID-19 Preparedness Update

Kerrville City Council ratifies Emergency Declaration

Kerrville, Texas (March 20, 2020) - The City of Kerrville is working daily to prevent spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus locally. Mayor Bill Blackburn issued an Emergency Declaration Monday recommending an end to any gatherings of groups larger than 50 people, and revised that declaration on Wednesday to 10 reflect the White House’s recommendation that group gatherings be limited to no more than 10-people.

Today, Friday, March 20, the Kerrville City Council ratified the disaster declaration signed by Mayor Blackburn on March 16, 2020, as revised, and consented to its continuation indefinitely, or until such time as it is terminated by order of the Council.

The declaration can be viewed on the City of Kerrville’s website at https://www.kerrvilletx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35318/Disaster-Declaration_031620-EXECUTED-DRAFT-Revised-32020?bidId=.

The City sincerely appreciates the efforts of our local health entities, schools, businesses, and our citizens, to combat the spread of this virus. To keep up with the latest COVID-19 information, please visit the City of Kerrville website at https://kerrvilletx.gov/, or call our joint operations phone number at (830) 258-1111.

March 19, 2020 COVID-19 Preparedness Update

Kerrville, TX: Per the City of Kerrville Emergency Preparedness Situation Report, the City of Kerrville is operating in Phase – 3 of the Emergency Operations Pandemic Plan. At this time there is no presumptive COVID-19 cases reported in Kerrville. It is recommended that the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America be followed, which includes avoiding social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.

Important tips to continue to implement to help prevent novel coronavirus as well as other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of illness.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Cover your cough or sneezes with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow. Throw the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards.
• Stay home when you are sick.

For more information and updates, contact any of the following:

Joint Operation Center – (830) 258-1111; Open Mon – Fri 8 AM – 5 PM

Peterson COVID-19 Hotline – (830) 896-4200 select Option 1; Open Mon – Fri 8 AM – 5 PM

Infection Prevention – Pam Burton, R.N., (830) 258-7448

Communications – Lisa Winters, Director of Marketing and Community Relations (830) 258-7628

Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau – Leslie Jones, Communications Coordinator (830) 792-3535

Additional resources for up to date information and preparedness please visit the U.S. Travel Association and the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

March 17, 2020 COVID-19 Preparedness Update

Kerrville, TX: The Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation by working with Peterson Health, City of Kerrville and Kerr County officials, as well as the Emergency Operations Task Force formed to address this ongoing issue. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kerrville, Kerr County, or the surrounding areas; however, we recognize that the threat demands for everything possible to be done to slow the growth rate. As of March 16, 2020, Mayor Bill Blackburn and the Kerrville City Council have issued a Declaration of a Disaster to take effect immediately and to last for the next seven days, that can be renewed as needed. A Joint Operation Center has been developed with partnership with the City of Kerrville, Kerr County, Peterson Health, Kerrville Independent School District, and Schreiner University to answer direct phone calls and questions from anyone in the area. The Operation Center’s phone number is (830) 258-1111 and will be open Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM. Peterson Health has also established a COVID-19 hotline for non-medical questions and for answers to the most frequently asked questions. The number, (830)896-4200 is manned by a registered nurse and is open from 8am-5pm, Monday – Friday. Call the main hospital line at (830) 896-4200 and select Option 1.

Per the Declaration of Disaster, the City Council is calling on everyone to follow the Center of Disease Controls guidelines of canceling or postponing events of 50 people or more. There is currently no call for area businesses to close but it is highly encouraged for them to adapt to the current environment and promote social distancing. We recognize that this is a fluid situation and will continue to adapt to what the Center of Disease Control and the World Health Organization say accordingly.

It is important to reiterate tips to help prevent novel coronavirus as well as other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of illness.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Cover your cough or sneezes with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow. Throw the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards.
• Stay home when you are sick.

For more information and updates, contact any of the following:

Joint Operation Center – (830) 258-1111; Open Mon – Fri 8 AM – 5 PM

Peterson COVID-19 Hotline – (830) 896-4200 select Option 1; Open Mon – Fri 8 AM – 5 PM

Infection Prevention – Pam Burton, R.N., (830) 258-7448

Communications – Lisa Winters, Director of Marketing and Community Relations (830) 258-7628

Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau – Leslie Jones, Communications Coordinator (830) 792-3535

Additional resources for up to date information and preparedness please visit Peterson Health, the U.S. Travel Association and the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

March 11, 2020 Press Release Regarding COVID-19

Kerrville, TX: The Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation by working with Peterson Health and City of Kerrville officials. Per Peterson Health spokesperson Lisa Winters, Kerr and surrounding counties are still considered a low risk area, and while no cases of the specific coronavirus strain COVID-19 have been reported, Peterson Health will continue to serve as the hub of communication and collaborate with established healthcare partners in order to keep the lines of communication open and consistent.

According to Pam Burton, Infection Prevention RN for Peterson Health, “Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. There are several known coronaviruses that infect people and usually only cause mild respiratory symptoms, such as a common cold. Peterson Health does administer respiratory panel testing for common respiratory viruses, which can result in a positive coronavirus, but not one associated with the specific COVID-19, which is associated with international travel.”

Important tips to help prevent novel coronavirus as well as other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of illness.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Cover your cough or sneezes with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow. Throw the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards.
• Stay home when you are sick.

For more information and updates, contact any of the following:

Infection Prevention – Pam Burton, R.N., (830) 258-7448

Communications – Lisa Winters, Director of Marketing and Community Relations (830) 258-7628

Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau – Leslie Jones, Communications Coordinator (830) 792-3535

Additional resources for up to date information and preparedness please visit the U.S. Travel Association and the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.