Hays County Local Health Department reports four (4) new COVID-19 cases today, up from 266 on Friday, May 22. That puts the total of lab-confirmed cases for Hays County at 270. Epidemiologist Eric Schneider said 109 cases are currently active. There were no new hospitalizations overnight and today. 
The number of those considered recovered remains at 158. The number of negative tests is at 3,173.
Schneider is awaiting results on 251 tests, many of which are from testing at nursing homes as required by Governor Abbott. As of today, with results back from Monday-Wednesday and half of Thursday, nursing home tests have come back negative.
Total hospitalizations to date for Hays County is 28, with six (6) persons currently hospitalized.
Note that the COVID-19 online Dashboard is updated twice daily, so it may show different numbers than this daily snapshot as of 2 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update May 23
| Lab Confirmed | Negative | Pending | Recovered | Active Cases | Fatalities | Total Hospitalizations | Current Hospitalizations |
| 270 | 3,173 | 251 | 158 | 109 | 3 | 28 | 6 |
| Age Range | Female | Male | Total |
| 0-9 yrs. | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 10-19 yrs. | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| 20-29 yrs. | 35 | 27 | 62 |
| 30-39 yrs. | 32 | 23 | 55 |
| 40-49 yrs. | 27 | 13 | 40 |
| 50-59 yrs. | 24 | 30 | 54 |
| 60-69 yrs. | 15 | 10 | 25 |
| 70-79 yrs. | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| > 80 yrs. | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| TOTAL | 151 | 119 | 270 |
| Travel Related | 10 |
| No Travel Reported | 260 |
| Interview Pending | 0 |
| TOTAL | 270 |
| Area | Total Cases | Active Cases |
| Austin | 7 | 3 |
| Bear Creek | 1 | 0 |
| Buda | 34 | 13 |
| Driftwood | 2 | 0 |
| Dripping Springs | 6 | 1 |
| Hays | 0 | 0 |
| Kyle | 134 | 63 |
| Manchaca | 0 | 0 |
| Mountain City | 0 | 0 |
| Neiderwald | 2 | 0 |
| San Marcos | 72 | 25 |
| Uhland | 1 | 0 |
| Wimberley | 11 | 4 |
| Woodcreek | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 270 | 109 |
Prevention Tips:
1. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds several times a day, including between your fingers and underneath your nails. Handwashing is considered the best way to remove germs and dirt, and hand sanitizers should be used only when handwashing is not available. The hand sanitizers should be at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective.
2. Avoid handshaking and high-fives
3. Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose, and mouth
4. Stay home when you feel sick
5. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue then put the tissue in the trash, or use the crook of your elbow if a tissue isn’t available
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe. Clean cell and desk phones, computer keyboards, door handles, and work surfaces often.
7. The CDC is now recommending persons visiting grocery stores, pharmacies, etc., wear cloth face masks to help keep from spreading COVID-19 since people who are not experiencing symptoms may be contagious. If you have close, frequent contact with a sick person you should also wear a mask as should the patient if he or she is able to wear one.
8. Avoid travel to areas that have been designated high-risk areas because of multiple verified cases of COVID-19.
9. Individuals are encouraged to avoid large gatherings. This includes, but is not limited to concerts, plays, sporting events, gymnasiums, dances, and restaurants. Recreation activities that can be practiced in private are encouraged. This virus spreads by person-to-person transmission just like the flu, so limiting human contact can help prevent COVID-19 from spreading.
Hays County Epidemiologist Eric Schneider reminded residents to rely on qualified information sources for additional information such as the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control which offers information in Spanish and Chinese as well as English. The County’s COVID-19 info is here. As with any emergency situation, www.HaysInformed.com, the countywide emergency notification blog, has a rolling list of important information regarding COVID-19. Many City websites also have information for their residents.
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