3 additional COVID-19 cases confirmed in Grayson Co.

The Grayson County Health Department has confirmed three additional positive cases of COVID-19 within Grayson County, doubling the total number of cases in the county.

Grayson County Health Department Director Amanda Ortez said the three additional cases consists of patients in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

"Two of the three new cases are connected to a previously confirmed case," Ortez said via news release Sunday afternoon. "The third case recently traveled. All three patients are currently in home isolation. All three newly confirmed cases are from Denison."

All of Grayson County's three previous cases were also Denison residents.

Two of the six confirmed patients are now hospitalized.

Ortez said the GCHD Public Health Emergency Preparedness team are identifying and contacting individuals who may have been exposed. Any individuals identified as having close contact and having been exposed will be contacted directly by the GCHD.

As of Friday, the health department reports 154 people have been tested.

"The Grayson County Health Department will continue, in partner with our community providers, to monitor and investigate COVID-19 within Grayson County," Oretz said. "Grayson County will continue, and will encourage individuals, to follow preventative measures as recommended by President Trump, Governor Abbott, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Texas Department of State Health Services. "

GCHD officials say f you have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 or have had contact with someone who has COVID-19 and have developed fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, call your healthcare provider. To prevent potential spread, please alert your provider before arriving to the provider’s office or emergency department.

"It is important to practice social distancing and follow the Grayson County Health Department’s Isolation/Quarantine Orders," Ortez said. "For facilities testing patients, when a positive result is received, they must promptly notify the Grayson County Health Department to ensure proper measures can be taken to limit the spread of the disease. The Grayson County Health Department’s (GDHD) 24/7 number for doctors to report positive cases to on a 24/7 basis is 903-821-5027. By law all testing must be reported to (GCHD)."