Community spread in Devine: Church members, local athlete/staff test positive for COVID

Both, Devine ISD and First Baptist Church, are taking a proactive approach to warn community members who may have been exposed.

The uptick in COVID-19 cases hits a little closer to home this week, as a local church and Devine ISD announce they have been affected. Devine ISD is suspending Strength and Training Camps for local athletes as well as the head start program.

First Baptist Church of Devine sent out a letter in an effort to warn others that a handful of people have tested positive in their congregation.

On the same day, today June 20th, Devine ISD announced that the Strength and Training camps will be cancelled as of now, after a student who attended camps tested positive. They also announced that a staff member has tested positive.

We want to thank both organizations for being proactive in warning others of possible exposure.

Devine ISD sent out the following comment today:

“Several positive cases have been reported in the community, a student athlete involved in strength and conditioning has tested positive, and a member of our administration team reported a positive test result as of this morning. Based on privacy concerns governed by law, Devine ISD is not able to reveal the identity of any person testing positive; however, we are notifying individuals that may have had direct exposure to a confirmed positive case. The health and safety of our students, community, faculty, and staff is our primary concern.

“As a result of the unfolding events, and to proceed with extreme caution, we are enacting the following:

● All campus offices will be closed to the public and available through appointment only.

● All employees will be required to wear a mask/face covering at all times while at work.

● The summer strength and conditioning program will suspend operations starting June 22nd, and we will reevaluate to potentially resume that program on July 13th.

● The Head Start program has ended operations as of June 19th.

● The Food Service Department operations will continue as normal thru June 30 as no positive tests are associated with this program.

If you, or someone you know, begin to develop symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you should contact your primary health care professional. If you do not have a primary health care professional, a point of contact would be The Medina County Health Unit at (830)741-6191.

The First Baptist Church published the following in a letter to the church community:

While the church is temporarily closed, they are offering the following services:

Sunday

  • Join us for Worship at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary or via Live-Streaming on Facebook or listen on FM station 93.7 while in your car in the parking lot for “drive-In” church. No matter how you choose to join us, you will be filled by the Holy Spirit!

Wednesday

  • Please join us for Evening Worship Live via Facebook at 6:30 p.m. or on FM 93.7 while in the parking lot Followed by the Youth Lesson at 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Richard Neel has gone above and beyond to help COVID-19 patients, and we are proud to report on his findings. If you or a loved one are suffering from COVID-19, you can reach out to him at Little Alsace Urgent Care in Castroville, TX.