On Wednesday morning, Hemphill County Judge George Briant issued a declaration of local state of disaster due to a public health emergency.

Judge Briant stopped short of ordering the public to shelter-in-place, as has occurred in some area communities where positive COVID-19 cases have been confirmed [see related stories], and issued the declaration, which activates the county emergency management plan for only up to seven days. So far, Hemphill County has apparently dodged that bullet.

UPDATED: On Thursday evening, after this report was filed, the Hemphill County Hospital District announced this evening that there has been one positive test for COVID-19 in Hemphill County at this time. The individual self-quarantined and is recovering at home. Hemphill County Hospital District does have testing available and is testing those individuals who meet the appropriate criteria for testing. In a press release reporting this news, the the District urged the community to practice the “social distancing” mandate, and to minimize any spread by staying home.

The countywide disaster declaration authorizes the county “to take any actions necessary to promote health and suppress the virus, including the quarantine of persons and occupied structures; regulating ingress and egress from the county, emergency hospital and other hospitals; and insuring compliance for those who do not comply with the county’s rules and directives.”

Those rules and directives are as follows:

•To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times, as reasonably as possible, maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from any other person when they are outside their residence.

•To the greatest extent possible, all businesses in Hemphill County shall comply with the social distancing guidelines, including maintaining 6-foot social distancing for both employees and the general public. Businesses are also strongly urged to maximize telecommuting and discourage nonessential employee travel. Businesses shall monitor the health and well-being of their employees on a daily basis and take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in the workplace.

•In accordance with the guidelines from the governor, president, and the CDC, every person in Hemphill County shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.

•The governor’s latest executive order GA 14, issued on March 31, 2020, specifically included religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship as essential services. I would strongly encourage our religious institutions to comply with the CDC social-gatherings guidelines, and continue to provide religious and worship services by video and/or teleconference.

•All public or private gatherings of more than 10 people occurring outside a single household or residence are prohibited, except as otherwise provided herein. Nothing in this order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or residence. This prohibition includes all social and nonsocial gatherings.

•Restaurants with or without drive-in or drive-thru services and bars, may only provide takeout, delivery, or drive-thru services as allowed by law.

•Nursing homes, retirement, and long-term care facilities are instructed by this order to prohibit nonessential visitors from accessing their facilities unless to provide critical assistance or for an end-of-life event, as allowed by the facility.

•If someone in a household has tested positive for the coronavirus, the household is ordered to isolate at home for 14 days until, or unless, otherwise directed by the local health authority. Members of the household cannot go to work, school, or any other community functions during the isolation period,

•Governmental entities in Hemphill County are encouraged to maintain essential services and infrastructure necessary for the public good and safety while complying with the spirit of this order as much as practicable in their continued daily operations.

•Hemphill County residents are strongly encouraged to comply with the orders, directives and guidelines that have been issued by President Trump, Gov. Abbott, and the CDC to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Violations of this declaration are punishable by a fine up to $1,000, and/or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days.

“We will continue to share information as it becomes available, and we ask that you continue to support each other as we go forward battling this virus,” Hemphill County Hospital officials said. Residents are urged to follow the HCH Facebook page and CDC.gov for the latest updates and helpful information.