CENTRAL, Texas — Editor's Note: This story will be continuously updated.
SUNDAY, MAY 10
4:15 P.M.
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District reported no new cases Sunday afternoon. The total number of cases to date is 94. 5 cases remain active and 85 have recovered while four patients have died.
68 people are being actively monitored, including positive cases and their close contacts.
4:10 P.M.
The Brazos County Health District reported six new virus cases bringing the total to 271. 133 remain active and 120 have recovered. 5 cases remain hospitalized.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
3:10 P.M.
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District reported no new virus cases Saturday afternoon. The total number of cases remains 94.
A total of five cases remain active, with one of them in critical condition. 85 cases have recovered.
68 people are being actively monitored.
3:05 P.M.
Waco ISD is planning to hold in-person graduation ceremonies for Waco and University high seniors, according to a letter from Superintendent Susan Kincannon.
However, the ceremonies will be held without family or friends at Waco ISD Stadium on May 29 and May 30. Students will be required to wear a face mask and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at the ceremonies.
More about the changes here:
3:00 P.M.
The Brazos County Health District reported nine new virus cases Saturday. The total number of cases in the county is now 265.
127 cases remain active with five of them hospitalized. 120 cases have recovered and 18 had died.
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- Coaches and players are adapting to learning football online as schools remain closed
- Waco ISD to hold in-person graduation ceremonies in late May
- Select salons and barber shops reopened Friday, while others remained closed for a bit longer
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District announces phased re-opening of campgrounds
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FRIDAY, MAY 8
8:00 P.M.
The McLennan County Tax Office has reopened to the public. However, substations in McGregor and West remain closed.
“There have been several modifications within our office to promote physical distancing,” McLennan County Tax Assessor-Collector Randy Riggs said. "Please understand that the office has been closed to the public for seven weeks. Expect delays if you are unable to transact business by mail.”
Riggs encouraged residents to continue submitting their checks or money orders in the drop box or through the mail, rather than going into the office.
3:10 P.M.
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District reported no new COVID-19 cases Friday.
The total number of cases holds steady at 94, with seven of those cases active.
83 cases have recovered and four have died. 64 cases are being actively monitored.
3:05 P.M.
An employee at the Pizza Hut in Belton, 400 Neil St., tested positive for the virus, accoding to a release from the Bell County Public Health District.
The employee tested positive on May 6 after leaving work sick.
The Health District is notifying customers who ordered from the restaurant as early as May 4 because the possibility that the employee may have been contagious before becoming symptomatic.
The restaurant has temporarily closed for sanitation purposes.
2:55 P.M.
The Brazos County Health District reported one new coronavirus-related death on Friday. The victim was a male resident in his 60s who was hospitalized.
The county also reported 13 new cases, bringing the total number to 256.
118 cases remain active while 120 have recovered and 18 have died. 6 cases remain hospitalized.
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THURSDAY, MAY 7
4:35 P.M.
Killeen senior residents will receive free food boxes from the City of Killeen Monday, May 11.
262 senior residents at four low-income living facilities in Killeen and seniors who use the city's elderly transportation program will receive boxes of food.
The more than 500 emergency response boxes were purchased from the Capital Area Food Bank in Austin. Each box contains about a week's worth of non-perishable food items. Each recipient will receive two boxes.
The city will be able to provide the meals thank to federal CARES Act funding the city received.
“Being able to assist many of our most vulnerable elderly residents with basic food during this COVID-19 time of shelter in place is a community development priority,” Executive Director of Community Development Leslie Hinkle said. “We are proud that we are able to partner with Killeen Food Care Center, which ‘stands in the gap’ every day and provides such valuable service to our community.”
3:35 P.M.
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District reported two new cases of COVID-19 Thursday afternoon. The county now has 94 total cases.
7 cases remain active with one hospitalized in critical condition. 83 cases have recovered and four have died.
68 cases are being monitored, including active cases and their close contacts.
3:10 P.M.
McLennan Community College announced it will have a virtual graduation and will forego the traditional commencement set for May 12.
The virtual ceremony will include a message from MCC President Dr. Johnette McKown, speeches from faculty, recognition for those who maintained a 4.0 grade point average and a personal acknowledgement of all the graduates.
More than 700 students are set to graduate from the college this spring. The virtual celebration will be available to all graduates and their families later in May on the college's website.
2:40 P.M.
The Bell County Public Health District added a total of five new cases to yesterday's number, bringing the total number of cases to 201.
75 of those cases remain active. 123 have recovered and three have died.
12:50 P.M.
Waco ISD families enrolled in the WISD Parents as Teachers program and the Inspirción program be able to pick up free diapers Friday, May 8 at the North Waco Annex, 2015 Alexander Ave. in Waco.
Those looking to receive free diapers will be able to drive up to the front of the North Waco Annex where staff will help.
The drive-through event starts at 10 a.m. May 8 and ends at 2 p.m.
The free diaper event is possible due to a donation to the district from the Junior League of Waco.
11:45 A.M.
Blackburn reiterated that they'll need to wait a week to 10 days to gauge the impact of the governor's reopening measures on the number of cases in the county.
11:40 A.M.
Judge Blackburn said an additional 3,000 tests have been conducted in the last seven days, which he said indicates the county is conducting widespread testing.
11:30 A.M.
Robison-Chadwell explained that a "plateau" in cases means that cases are showing up, but are not significantly increasing every day. She said they will continue showing up and not completely disappearing.
11:28 A.M.
Robison-Chadwell said there have not been any outbreaks in senior care facilities. She said there have been "fewer than 10" isolated cases in the facilities.
11:25 A.M.
Dr. Robison-Chadwell said the curve looks to be "flattened" in Bell County although cases continue to be reported every day.
11:25 A.M.
Director of the Bell County Public Health District Amanda Robison-Chadwell reported three new cases in the county as of Thursday morning. She said it may change later in the day as the health district works throughout the day.
11:20 A.M.
Judge Blackburn said no virus cases have been reported in the Bell County jail.
11:15 A.M.
11 new virus cases were reported in Brazos County by the health district. The total number of cases jumped to 243.
Out of the total cases, 107 cases remain active and 119 have recovered. 6 cases remain hospitalized.
The county has performed 4,020 COVID-19 tests.
11:05 A.M.
Bell County Judge David Blackburn said he believes the county has been conducting widespread testing for the virus. He cited the latest test numbers and said it's a big increase in testing from previous weeks. As of May 6, the county has conducted 8,720 tests.
11:00 A.M.
The City of Copperas Cove confirmed one new case of COVID-19 in the city Thursday morning. The new cases is a man in his 60s who is in isolation.
Copperas Cove also announced that two additional cases have now recovered. 10 cases remain active in the city, with three of those in the hospital.
10:55 A.M.
Bell County officials are set to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. where they will give an update on the county's COVID-19 response and the next steps.
8:00 A.M.
The Pentagon is considering barring recruits from joining the military if they have been hospitalized by the coronavirus unless the person is granted a waiver from the branch they are trying to join, according to reports from CNN and Fox News.
A defense official told CNN that the guidance is being put into place because there is little understanding about the long-term effects of the new virus.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
2:50 P.M.
The Bell County Public Health District reported three new cases of COVID-19, making the total number of cases 196. Meanwhile the Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting a total of 210 cases, which includes cases on Fort Hood.
There are currently 14 cases on Fort Hood.
70 cases remain active in Bell County. There have been 123 recoveries and three deaths.
2:45 P.M.
Mayor Deaver said 11 first responders have been in quarantine for nearly two weeks after a person involved in a fatal accident on I-35 tested positive for the virus. He did not indicate whether or not any of the 11 people in quarantine have had symptoms of the virus or tested positive for it.
2:25 P.M.
When asked about tourism as local businesses reopen, Mayor Deaver said that "it's a big concern" because "it's now a big part of our economy."
He said the city will work with popular attractions, like Magnolia, to see when they can reopen safely while maintaining social distancing protocols.
2:20 P.M.
Mayor Deaver referred to the governor's opening plans as "opening the spigot" little by little to balance the threat of the virus with the economic impact that has resulted from it.
2:15 P.M.
Municipal court is set to open May 18, with in person hearings set for June 6, according to Deaver.
Garage sales are still not allowed.
2:10 P.M.
Mayor Deaver said residents should continue to stay home, go out only when necessary and follow social distancing guidelines to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 cases.
2:05 P.M.
Mayor Deaver said gatherings, like family reunions, where family is coming together from different parts should be held online rather than in person to protect one another from the virus.
"This is not the time for that," he said of the gatherings.
2:00 P.M.
In response to a question regarding the virus in nursing homes, Dr. Griggs recommended that those who work at nursing homes should continue to protect themselves from exposure, since they could introduce it to the nursing home community. He also made the same recommendation for those working in close quarters in an office or facility.
1:55 P.M.
Mayor Deaver said the city is opening city facilities in accordance with the state's guidelines. The city recently put out a timeline for reopening local facilities.
Deaver also brought up the city's "tough" decision to cancel the Fourth of July celebrations. He said there were "contract considerations" that would not allow the city to wait until later to decide whether or not to move forward with the annual celebrations.
1:50 P.M.
Dr. Griggs reported that the monitoring of individuals close to virus patients by the public health department has led to the discovery of 12 new cases, included in the 92 cases reported to date.
1:45 P.M.
Dr. Griggs said asymptomatic coronavirus carriers are the ones unknowingly spreading the virus, not necessarily those who have symptoms of the virus. He reminded community members to maintain a distance from those not in one's immediate household and to wear a mask when in public areas.
1:45 P.M.
Dr. Jackson Griggs said there are a total of 92 cases in McLennan County, with seven active cases. One of those cases remains hospitalized in critical condition. 81 people have recovered and 75 other are being monitored.
There have been a total of 3,332 tests performed in McLennan County.
1:35 P.M.
Waco and McLennan County officials give an update on the COVID-19 response in the area. We're tracking it live here.
Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver said that although virus case numbers in McLennan County have gone down that residents "must continue to be extremely vigilant" as Gov. Abbott allows more businesses to reopen for business.
1:00 P.M.
The City of Copperas Cove has been notified that Coryell Health in Gatesville is offering to test all salon professionals (hairdressers, stylists, barbers, nail tech) on May 6 and 7 before 5:00 p.m. for free.
The test is a saliva (spit) test and will be conducted at the drive-up testing location at Coryell Health Medical Clinic in Gatesville. People are asked to provide health insurance information if they have health insurance. However, you will have no out-of-pocket costs.
The quick deadline is necessary to have the test results returned by Friday, May 8, the day when salons have been authorized by Governor Abbott to open.
Test Site:
Coryell Health Medical Clinic
1507 West Main Street (behind or north of the main hospital building)
Gatesville, Texas 76528
12:05 P.M.
Any Lab Test Now in Killeen is offering COVID-19 antibody testing for those who think they may have had the virus in the past few months.
The antibody testing is only offered at the temporary Killeen location by appointment. Customers looking to get tested must pass COVID-19 screening protocols before getting access to the antibody test, according to a release.
The test does not screen for COVID-19, only for antibodies to the virus. Results are available within one or two days after having the test done, according to franchise owner Ronny Assed.
"They can share them with their doctor who can further explain the impact to their personal health,” Assed said in the press release.
Appointments can be made by calling 254-699-8378 or 254-699-2026. The Any Lab Test Now conducting the testing is located at 701 W. Elms Rd., Suite 250 in Killeen. Antibody testing is not available at the Harker Heights location.
11:35 A.M.
The 2020 Brazos Nights concert series and annual Fourth on the Brazos celebration was canceled, according to a release from the City of Waco.
The cancellation was "due to the uncertainty of the current COVID-19 pandemic and public safety concerns," according to the release.
"With state restrictions and recommendations still in place for social gatherings, we anticipate the need to continue physical distancing to ensure the safety of our community. We look forward to the future when concerts return to the summer lineup."
11:15 A.M.
The Brazos County Health Department reported 13 new cases of the virus late Wednesday morning. The total number of cases in the county is now 232.
A total of 97 cases remain active with five of them hospitalized. 118 have recovered and 17 have died.
Around Texas
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