Fraser announced a new COVID-19 death and reported four additional cases had been confirmed as of Thursday morning, bringing the county total to 34.
The fourth death, a woman in her 80s, died at home over the weekend and was confirmed to have had COVID-19 through a positive postmortem test. Her husband, who had been hospitalized in San Antonio with the disease, died overnight Tuesday.
Of the four new cases, one is near Spring Branch, one is in New Braunfels, one is in Fair Oaks Ranch and the fourth's home address is yet to be confirmed.
"We've seen a significant ramp-up in the numbers of cases in Comal County over the past week," Fraser said.
As of April 9, 324 tests have been performed, and 80 have results pending, according to Fraser.
Of the 34 COVID-19 patients, 16 have recovered, 14 are still active and four have died.
Guadalupe County has been spared of any deaths so far but has confirmed 46 cases, 13 of whom have recovered and one of whom is hospitalized.
The OPH is hiring an epidemiologist to assist with investigations of viral transmission sources and contact tracing, which will help identify who could have been exposed to the coronavirus through confirmed cases. The job posting closes April 9.
"This position will bring expert knowledge to the case investigations and contact tracing," Fraser said. "We're looking forward to the added support."
Fraser also touched on the drive-thru testing center that began formal operation this week.
"The goal of this testing is to take the burden off of the local clinics and health care facilities who are not equipped with proper PPE, or personal protective equipment," Fraser said.
Fraser also disclosed that more than 2,000 calls have been logged through the OPH phone line and COVID-19 hotline since March 16.
A COVID-19 task force was recently created by the Comal County Sheriffs Office, and Sgt. Jason Nitsch provided the court with some of its findings.
"The issues at this time is not our local businesses; it's the visitors from the Houston, Austin and San Antonio areas," Nitsch said. "While most won't think this is a big deal, you need to think about these people from the more infected areas having to use our gas stations and such for restrooms, fuels, snacks and drinks."Nitsch said that the vast majority of local businesses were in compliance with current orders from the state and county and had implemented social distancing procedures. The ones who were not were believed to have only needed clarification on the rules.
Residents with questions or concerns about the novel coronavirus can call the county’s COVID-19 hotline at 830-221-1120, call the New Braunfels hotline at 830-221-4222, visit the county website or speak with their health care provider.
This story was updated to correct reporting errors.
