WASHINGTON CO. OFFICIALS EXPRESS FRUSTRATION WITH LACK OF INFORMATION ON NEW COVID-19 CASES
Washington County leaders are frustrated with the state’s procedures for reporting COVID-19 cases and timelines for returning test results, saying they lead to a lack of information on where new cases are coming from.
Monday, Washington County reported 16 new COVID-19 cases, the county’s highest single-day increase since April. However, County Judge John Durrenberger and Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke both said they have not received any additional information on these cases as to where they are connected to, with long wait times for returned tests and lack of patient interviews contributing to a potentially inaccurate picture of the state of COVID-19 in the community.
Durrenberger said, with the limited information available, he is led to believe that the newest confirmed cases come from the general public, considering patients under the age of 40 make up a large percentage of the new cases. Ruemke provided similar comments, saying right now he cannot draw lines to any kind of “cluster” at a specific facility and that these cases appear to be just “sporadic and random”.
Durrenberger and Ruemke said there is no way to know when testing was done for the latest cases, as the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) does not provide a time frame of when the tests were performed. Ruemke said the date that cases are added into the county’s “line list” of positive cases is just a date, and does not necessarily indicate the cases are all from the same time frame. He said the results are “not real-time”.
Ruemke said the DSHS previously took about 24 hours from the time it got test results to vet them and put them on the line list. That process, according to Ruemke, now takes at least three to four days. In addition, he said the state used to interview positive cases upon receiving positive lab reports to get additional information from patients. He said the state’s process now involves just getting the results and going off whatever information it has on a patient to put on a line list, which can lead to cases being attributed to the wrong counties if the information on file is incorrect.
The two also criticized the state’s lack of timeliness in returning test results to patients, pointing specifically to the recent mobile test collection days held at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Durrenberger said it has taken as long as 15 days for results to come back from those test collections, with Ruemke noting that while many times the long wait leads to a negative test result, people naturally want quick reassurance that they are negative. Durrenberger believes the state is testing more people than it can process at a time, saying it has gotten “snowed under”. In addition, Durrenberger bemoaned the sluggish reporting of patients that have died, saying the county only recently received word of a local patient that passed away in May.
Ruemke said he knows the DSHS is working to solve the problems it has, and that nobody foresaw this pandemic happening, but cannot say for sure that the state was prepared, at least not for a pandemic of this magnitude. He said he does not know how to fix the situation, but both he and Durrenberger called it “very frustrating”.
We have a serious problem with CoVid 19.in our community. I think it is time for our mayor and county judge to issue a MANDATE requiring our citizens wear face masks. Our county judge says he is frustrated. Well as concerned citizens, we are frustrated, too. Why can’t they see the need to MANDATE that face masks be worn by our citizens when entering public places and that they MUST be worn by staff. Many other counties are taking such action to try to get it controlled. I try to be very careful and resent others walking by me with no masks. Some just will not wear the masks unless made to do so. I don’t see it as an infringement on their rights, but merely a sign that they are concerned for others. Many people can have the virus without signs of illness making it easy to spread. I am not in favor of shutting down our businesses which will kill our economy. That is as deadly as the virus. But as Dr. Loesch has said from the beginning, face masks and social distancing along with sanitation are our best defenses to curb the virus. Show that you care about your citizens and take positive action. Further, I do not think we should have Hot Nights and Cool Tunes this summer. I agree we need to live our lives, but we can be careful for a little while longer.
All of the gloom and doom on the news and even in posts on this board really do show some people lack critical thinking (i.e. act like sheeple). These officials are not acting irrationally by opening things up. Yes, the case counts are rising. But, our leaders are looking at the big picture here. This is not a death sentence like someone else said. We are learning how to treat this and control fatalities. Take a look at the fatality chart the CDC keeps publishing:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm
How can you argue this data? I guess some people will continue the panic button pushing and sheeple-ing along regardless of facts.
Texas is trending more like Sweden, which is a great thing. Its funny I saw that the nanny state progressives are calling it a pariah now because they elected to not be part of the lunatic fringe or give the left a voice to promote needless fear.
Clearly the virus is danger to those over 60 or 70 and clearly it is a danger to those over with underlying health conditions. If that is you, then you need to be taking precautions. Be smart and don’t live in fear, fear increases mortality. These fabric homemade masks are a futile effort that result in sicker people. You need to have on something that really filters out the virus and also something that allows your body to exhale without re breathing your old air. Nursing homes need to actually decon its workers going in, they need an air filtration system. Everyone needs plenty of sunshine all the time.
It is better to work on a herd immunity with something this harmless to 99+% of the population and not put our faith in a remote scientific cure. We don’t even have a cure for the common cold. Our science experts and medical professionals are just not that good and many are in the pocket of big pharma to begin with. The CDC can’t test, and doesn’t even know what consistent and proven policy is. Our medical doctors put COVID on death certificates even if someone dies of cancer and tests positive the virus. Folks our medical experts aren’t really experts. We do know what kills and filters the virus and who the virus actually can hurt though.
Poverty is much more of a killer than this virus. The economy is much more important. Don’t waste time with these envious people that just want to force a depression to undermine our country and President. Even our poor are richer than the most of the world, dont forget that and take comfort in knowing our country has more going for it than any other country in the history of the world thanks to our founders and the great leaders since. So be careful about what you think you can improve upon and compare results and outcomes.
You need to check the statistics on Sweden NOW .
The rate per capita is very high now and the government wished they had shut down now but it’s too late. Look it up.
I did and their does not. Please don’t lie, its really bad for you.
What they are doing is assessing, as they should be. as everyone should be all time in everything they do.
Over 120,000 in 4 months! Go hug your grandma today.
How about I come give you a hug. Sounds like you desperately need one.
120,000 – if that’s a real number. Wonder how many of those died from COVID and were not already on their death bed. I know for a fact most were already terminal. The numbers are not real.
All we really need to know is how many otherwise healthy people die from COVID. You don’t have that number because that number more than likely because that number will work against your shut down narrative.
Finally! A sensible response, but it will fall on deaf ears of those that are so easily manipulated.
Sweden is not a good comparison. Just do a simple Google search. Even Trump said we should not follow Sweden’s path.
Perfect opportunity to make your own decision; what a concept. If you wish, stay closed in till the cows come home. If you think otherwise, suit yourself as to your activity. Those who stay at home, etc., should be glad others aren’t. We have to go through these pains, either now or later. And, no one seems to mind those people they need in the service industry working. Just saying.
Texas is trending towards Italy. We must have better statistics and a more uniformed approach. We are going to see many more deaths unless we all pitch in and come together as a community. We are stronger than the virus when we all work together!
Thank you for the much needed update. This brings more understanding to the public which in turn brings a calm. The public’s frustration with the lack of available information should be vented toward the right agencies and entities. Thank you!
This is a complete breakdown of communication !! Obviously, we have people diagnosed at the mobile testing unit (Fairgrounds) , that have not notified their primary doctor or the Washington Co. Health Director. If they had, we would have a more accurate assessment of what is going on. How do we know if they are abiding by quarantine orders or if their contacts have been notified?? Long story short, the county needs to call for mandatory masks and continued social distancing !!! TOO BAD for those that don’t agree. We have to stop the spread !!! The cases are increasing at a drastic rate everywhere. Houston and Austin, and their stores have mandatory masks !! Time for our city, county, and all its retail stores to face this problem HEAD ON. No shirt, no shoes, no MASK–No service ! Sounds like a better option than losing your business from another shut down ! Hopefully, the county health director, county judge and the mayor will agree on an immediate mandate.
Well said. I agree 100%
Hysterical nonsense.
Hide in your bunker and do what the smart Socialist Democratic governments of Austin and Houston have.
They want more control over you and you are willing to give it to them.
There are many more dangerous things in this state and world than Covid-19.
Try reading and listening to other information outlets than the main stream media.
Most people will be fine.
Some will get sick.
Even less will need to be hospitalized.
And unfortunately a small percentage will die.
Shutting the world down will not save most of those who were going to succumb to some sickness and pass away anyway.
If you are that scared than stay home.
All the reports say is number of confirmed cases. They should be more exact, I agree fully.
They mention nothing of the severity of the majority of cases becase it is not as sensational.
There is the old saying in news” if it bleeds it leads”, and this is leading.
Be smart, but don’t panic like a uneducated, non informed person.
We are Texans and are supposed to be smarter and tougher than that.
Go outside, get fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
Enjoy your summer.
Everything will be alright in the end, it always is.
J.D. WELL SAID!!!!
Houston has Turner considering shelter in place again in SPITE of a mandatory mask requirement.
Let that sink in.
We were and still will have an uptick in positive cases.
You worry when recoveries go down and deaths up.
And it’s impossible to completely stop the spread.
Positives don’t equal death sentences.
It’s time to wake up to reality: we live life.
Sincerely hope Ed Emmett runs as Harris County Judge at reelection. Sylvester did better job when he & Emmett were at the helm. That Hildalgo at age 29 w/no experience is sending that City into destruction. Tell your Harris county folks to get Ed Emmett back. She allows violence, protest & fear runs rampant in the City. She does not belong in any government office. Not sure where she fits just not as Judge.
I suggest our Washington County Judge John Durrenberger contact TX Senator Lois Kolkhorst (District 18) and express his concerns to her. Sen. Kolkhorst does an amazing job in assisting to resolve issues. I feel confident that she would inquire into these issues and get things resolved.
It appears that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), needs to put a better notification/confirmation procedure in place.
I can understand Judge Durrenberger and EMC Bryan Ruemke’s fustration. They are doing a great job but they need prompt info from DSHS!
Also, even though I do not reside in Waller County, I follow Waller County Judge Trey Duhon’s post. He does an amazing job of keeping Waller County residents updated regarding the COVID-19 for Waller County.
Judge Duhon provides the age group of the individual, gender and what part of the county by zip code and direction, i.e., for example, outside of the Hempstead city limits, etc. Also, Judge Duhon includes current active cases, recoveries, etc.
Perhaps Judge Durrenberger could contact Judge Duhon and find out how he is successful in getting info from the State regarding Waller County cases. I feel if the County Judges in surrounding/adjacent counties would share what works for them, all would be “on the same page”. Team effort and sharing info during a pandemic is important. Just my opinion!
If it were me, I would certainly contact Senator Lois Kolkhorst. There is no doubt in my mind, she will get to “the root of the problem” and ensure a better communication effort by DSHS.
I totally agree with you. I also follow the Austin County Judge Tim Lapham’s updates. While I understand that no government agency was really prepared for this, it seems that Judge Durrenberger‘s inexperience and inability to work with or communicate with the state leaders is a serious problem. He would be very wise to talk to Senator Kolkhorst and work out the issues that only he seems to be having.
Since we have “opened up Texas, fewer people wear masks, even those serving in restaurants and stores. I believe our merchants could come to some agreement about the importance of masks. There are many older people in our county, and a lot of them feel expendable, especially after comments from Dan Patrick and Greg Abbot.