Plumbing 
Active cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing in Uvalde County as the area experiences a second wave of coronavirus cases, according to Uvalde Health Authority official Dr. Jared Reading.
“We’ve had about 50 cases pop up in the last two weeks with probably 35 or more in the last three or four days. We haven’t seen a spike like that since the summertime,” Reading said.
Reading spoke during a noon press conference held Monday at the Uvalde County Courthouse.
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr., County Judge Bill Mitchell and Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Hal Harrell were also present.
McLaughlin said due to the rise in cases, masks are once again required in the county.
The mask mandate was revoked on Oct. 14 due to a decrease in cases.
The officials spoke to a small crowd, largely comprised of media or public relations representatives and city or county employees.
“It’s really no different than that you’re seeing in other places across the world as well, we’ve all had that first wave, now we are starting our second wave,” Reading said. “I just want people to be aware it’s out there and its growing.”
He said family gatherings continued to be a major point of case spread, and activities need to be curbed to decrease the spread of the virus.
“It’s increasing rapidly. Now is the time to pull back again so we can keep our families safe again, keep our friends safe again,” Reading said.
Reading said the hospitalization rate for this area, included with the San Antonio area, is at about 6.5 to 7 percent, back on the rise after declining last month.
Harrell said Reading has been advising the school on ways to help mitigate virus spread, including social distancing, and the school might continue to make changes as they adapt to the pandemic.
Harrell said children and staff members are doing a wonderful job, but everyone, including himself, can do better.
McLaughlin said Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order GA-29 was back in effect with the rise of cases, mandating the wearing of masks or face coverings.
“Before the naysayers start, you don’t like the mask.
Well, none of us like wearing the mask either but this is what we’re going to have to do,” McLaughlin said. “Just put your big boy pants on and wear your mask, do what you need to do. God bless you, Uvalde, and we’ll get through this.”
He encouraged area residents to take advantage of the free COVID-19 testing from Curative Inc. in Uvalde.
“We’ve got to stop the spread of this amongst our families or we are going to be back in the same situation again with elderly people getting it and our death rate is going to go up, and none of us want to see that,” McLaughlin said, noting those who have underlying health conditions are also particularity vulnerable to severe effects from the coronavirus.
He requested residents attempt to keep gatherings to lower numbers, below 10 people if possible.
County Judge Bill Mitchell summarized the best course residents can take to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“The message has not changed, it’s pretty simple,” Mitchell said.
He asked people to wear a face covering, wash their hands, stay home if feeling sick, get tested if needed and practice social distancing.
Reading said the free mobile testing service will be located at 404 W. Main St. through January, if not longer, depending upon the needs of the community.
To schedule a test online, visit tinyurl.com/y3fujtog, or just show up at the location with a form of identification to be tested.
