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Keep up with what’s going on in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot and Moore areas in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties.

Medina County reports first case of COVID-19

Medina County reports first case of COVID-19 Medina County is reporting the first case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, in a county resident. The person is a 57-year-old female who recently returned from travel abroad and immediately self -isolated, according to the county.

The person is currently isolated in a hospital in Bexar County. As a result of her self-isolation it appears there has been no community exposure. There has been no exposure to local businesses or local health care facilities.

For latest information on COVID-19 visit our Medina County webpage at medinacountytexas.org for links to CDC, DSHS and the Medina County Health Unit.

There are things everyone can do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19: • 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. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then wash your hands. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Minimizing exposure is especially important for people who are 65 or older or who have an underlying health condition like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer. People in those groups have a higher risk of developing the severe disease if they do get COVID-19, and the safest thing for them to do during an outbreak will be to stay home as much as possible and minimize close contact with other people. To get ready, they should talk to their doctor about getting additional prescription medications and have enough household items and groceries on hand to stay home as needed. The public can find up-to-date coronavirus information at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.

Medina County: Medina Electric to close lobbies as precaution for staff and members

“It is a super fluid situation right, so we are meeting pretty regularly. Today, Monday the 16th, we made the decision to close the lobbies of all Medina Electric offices as of 5 pm today. Our drive-thru will remain open, and of course, you can pay online as well,” said Medina Electric representative Katie Haby.

“We are doing everything we can to care for our members and our staff. This is certainly uncharted territory, and if our linemen were to come down with the virus it wouldn’t be good, so we are limiting the number of people in a room, and person to person contact as much as possible out of precaution.”

“If you are having any issues making payment deadline, please reach out to us at 1-866-632-3532. We are exploring different ways that we can help the community and especially our elderly population and the logistics of that. But if you are having trouble making payment, we need members to please be sure to call and communicate that to us, so that we can discuss what resources we have to help.”

The Devine News will provide daily updates, or as often as necessary to keep locals informed on community decisions regarding the Corona Virus in Devine and Medina County.

Update: Devine schools close thru 20th to slow spread of Corona

Devine schools announced this Saturday, March 14th that they will extend school closures through March 20th. Many other local schools including Medina Valley, Natalia, Lytle, Hondo, and many others, took that same action last Friday to slow the spread of the Corona Virus.

Superintendent Grandjean stated: “On Monday morning, March 16, our DISD Administration will be meeting to plan the implementation of our curriculum at home for our students should we have to extend our break beyond Monday, March 23, 2020.  We will also be preparing plans to continue our Food and Nutritional Services for students during an extended period.  As soon as we have the final plans for each of these services, I will have them sent out.”

Good Afternoon Devine ISD Students, Parents/Guardians, and Community,

As the health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our highest priority, the Devine ISD Administration has been closely monitoring the Covid-19 virus throughout the entire week, basically by the hour, of Spring Break. As I stated yesterday, given the information that we have received from all sources at the local and state level, we are still being told that our county and community are still considered at low level risk. Based on all the information yesterday,with no communicated diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Devine or Medina County, we decided to extend Spring Break through Monday, March 16 as a precaution, and for preparation.  This afternoon, after much consultation, I have decided to now extend our break through March 20, out of an abundance of caution.  We have been reassured by state and local health officials that we are continuing to make well informed decisions in relation to school operations; however, as this environment changes, public concern also plays a part in decision making. 

On Monday morning, our DISD Administration will be meeting to plan the implementation of our curriculum at home for our students should we have to extend our break beyond Monday, March 23, 2020.  We will also be preparing plans to continue our Food and Nutritional Services for students during an extended period.  As soon as we have the final plans for each of these services, I will have them sent out through all of our school communications media.

The U.I.L. has suspended all sanctioned events from March 16th through March 29th.  Likewise, Devine will follow this guideline:  All extra-curricular activities requiring travel outside of the district or other districts coming to Devine are to be temporarily cancelled until additional information becomes available.

We would like to remind you again that according to the CDC, COVID-19 is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person.  Please continue to follow the recommended prevention measures:

  • Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips.
  • Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
  • As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
  • As a reminder if you have traveled during spring break, follow the CDC guidelines regarding the need for health monitoring and possible self-quarantine.

I will continue to let you know on the status of our schools and how our students will be affected as I receive updated information, and finalize measures for serving our students during any extended break.  We appreciate your support in this unprecedented time.  Please continue to take care of yourselves.

Dr. Todd Grandjean