1st Coronavirus-Related Death In Texas Confirmed

HOUSTON, TX — The first death related to new coronavirus in Texas was reported in Matagorda County outside Houston, officials confirmed late Monday.

In a news release issued by the Matagorda County Emergency Operation Center at 10 p.m. CST, officials said a man in his late 90s died the previous evening at Matagorda Medical Center. Officials added the man had "symptoms consistent with COVID-19."

Originally dubbed new coronavirus, the respiratory ailment is now a global pandemic known as COVID-19 — a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have sparked outbreaks in the past.

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The man was a resident of Matagorda County, officials said. Hospital officials were first notified by the Houston Department of Health and Human Services of a positive COVID-19 test result at 6:15 p.m on Monday, according to the Matagorda County Emergency Management Operation Center, according to the press advisory.

The elderly man was the second positive COVID-19 case to emerge in Matagorda County after the first reported diagnosis involving a woman in her 60s was disclosed on on Saturday. Officials learned the woman has no history of travel outside Texas.

According to the press advisory, the state launched an extensive investigation into the second positive case after being told of evidence of a possible community link to the earlier Matagorda County positive case.

"The Matagorda County Emergency Management team is working closely with the Matagorda County Hospital District, and the Hospital District continues to work closely with the Department of State Health Services," officials said. "We are all working 24-7 to protect Matagorda County residents."

Investigators with the Department of State Health Services continue to investigate, officials said.

Related story: Texas Bracing For 'Exponential' Coronavirus Spread: Governor

Matagorda County Emergency Operation Center officials took the time to issue tips to prevent others from becoming sick as outlined by the Department of State Health Services. Officials called the following tips "...everyday actions to stop the spread of any respiratory virus, including COVID-19."

The tips include:

• Wash hands often for 20 seconds and encourage others to do the same.
• If no soap and water are available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other places touched often.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• "It is also suggested that we practice 'social distancing,' which means staying away from other people, avoiding crowds and minimizing physical contact so that you do not spread illness," officials wrote "This means currently avoiding mass gatherings, skipping the usual handshake, and remaining six feet away from others."
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Texas Department of State Health Serviceswebsites "...to prepare your home and help prevent the spread of COVID-19," officials advised.

At last check, there were 57 cases of new coronavirus statewide, according to a tally by the Texas Health and Human Services. The greatest number of cases have emerged in Harris County, with ten confirmed cases of the respiratory ailment recorded thus far.

Matagorda County is located about 85 miles southwest of downtown Houston.