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Printable versions of News Release – News Release – Aransas County Coronavirus Testing 200424

 CORONAVIRUS MOBILE TESTING SITE WELL RECEIVED

 ROCKPORT, TX – Approximately 140 residents of Aransas County, Rockport and Fulton were able to get free coronavirus tests through a mobile drive-in program established by Governor Abbott and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.  Aransas County was included in the initial roll-out, which was designed to help underserved counties within the state.

The announcement of the testing on April 23rd and 24th, which was held in the portico of the new Fulton Convention Center, was made Wednesday afternoon.  Within minutes, the phone lines were jammed with callers seeking to get more information and to register for the event.

Initially, the plan was to provide testing from 9 am – 5 pm, which would accommodate 50 tests per day.  Based on the response, the testing was extended later Thursday and from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm on Friday.  The estimate of 140 is based on 63 tests done on Thursday and an additional 80 registered for Friday.

“We have been very limited as to what we could do to ensure the safety of our residents,” noted Aransas County Judge C.H. “Burt” Mills,  “The Stay at Home Order was a big step, but we had no testing facilities or way of knowing exactly what the infection situation was in our community other than the two cases that were reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TxDSHS).”

“From the beginning, Judge Mills, Mayor Rios and I have been very vocal about the need for testing in our community – probably to the point where some of our State leaders were getting tired of hearing from us,” stated Fulton Mayor Jimmy Kendrick.  “But, we always knew they were listening.”

Results from the tests will take between 5 – 7 days and be reported directly to TxDSHS.  If there are any positive cases, contact and care will be coordinated by the Department and regional health district.  The County will only receive notification as to how many positive cases, age/gender of the individual, and, if confirmed, the means of infection, i.e. family member, traveling, community spread, etc.

“We were very pleased to be one of the initial counties in this aggressive testing program,” Rockport Mayor Pat Rios added.  “While it may be limited in scope, it will provide us with some understanding of what is really happening in our community and help us as we move forward.”

In addition to TxDSHS, other agencies involved in the program include the National Guard, Texas Department of Emergency Management, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

April 22, 2020

At the Governor’s Press Conference on Tuesday, there were two specific items for which we would like to share additional information.

1. Virus statistics and testing. Texas has one of the highest recovery rates of any state in the nation. Figures show that approximately 10% of individuals who have been tested are positive. Still, the percentage of people tested is low. This week, a deployment of mobile testing sites is underway.  When the program is completely rolled out by the end of this week, there will be an additional 3500 tests administer per day.

The program began in Fredericksburg and Floresville.

ARANSAS COUNTY TESTING INFORMATION

April 23 – 24           9 am – 5 pm

Fulton Convention Center (aka Paws & Taws)

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED — CALL- 512-883-2400.

2. Unemployment. More than 1.5 million unemployment claims have been administered.  The process has been ramped up and over $1.4 billion has been distributed. The Governor is hopeful that furloughed individuals may find some respite when the “Retail to Go” program kicks off on April 27. Additionally, he reminded residents that the Texas Workforce site has more than half a million jobs available right now. In looking at the site (workintexas.com), we’ve found there are 500 jobs listed that are within 25 miles of the 78382 zip code.

For those of you who have received an unemployment check, please remember that the income is considered taxable.

04-14-2020 Amended Order To Stay At Home

Aransas County Judge C.H. Burt Mills, Jr, City of Rockport Mayor Patrick Rios and Town of Fulton Mayor Jimmy Kendrick have extended the Stay at Home Order until 11:59 on April 30.

The following are changes that have been made:

Printable COVID-19 Door Notice

NOTICE:

EFFECTIVE 04/06/2020

Due to COVID-19 our operations have changed.  Per the Mayor of Fulton, we will not be allowing anyone in the building of the Town of Fulton located at 201 N. 7th Street.  We ask that you call (361) 729-5533 for any services you may be seeking with the Town of Fulton or the Fulton Police Department.  If you have an emergency, please call 911.

As always, we are here to serve and protect our community.  Thank you for your cooperation during this time.

VISO:

VIGENTE 06/06/2020

Debido a COVID-19 nuestras operaciones han cambiado. Según el alcalde de Fulton, no permitiremos a nadie en el edificio de la ciudad de Fulton ubicado en 201 N. 7th Street. Le pedimos que llame al (361) 729-5533 para cualquier servicio que pueda estar buscando con la Ciudad de Fulton o el Departamento de Policía de Fulton. Si tiene una emergencia, llame al 911.

Como siempre, estamos aquí para servir y proteger a nuestra comunidad. Gracias por su cooperación durante este tiempo.

EMERGENCY SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF updated 4-1-2020

Amended Order Stay at Home filed March 30, 2020 at 3:53 pm

EMERGENCY SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF

View printable document – EMERGENCY SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF updated

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

On March 25, 2020, the United States Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), aimed at providing financial relief to the American people and American businesses in response to the economic fallout from the fast-developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The measure provides direct financial aid to American families, payroll and operating expense support for small businesses, and loan assistance for distressed industries.

One of the core pieces of the CARES Act is the provision of $349 billion for small businesses through federally backed loans under a modified and expanded Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loan guaranty program called the Paycheck Protection Program. Congress has designed the program to make funds available to qualifying businesses quickly through approved banks and nonbank lenders.

• CARES Act:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3548/text

WHERE TO APPLY:

ALL FDIC Certified Banks will have Applications. Go to your bank where you personally bank to apply for CARES Act Application.

* See Bank Regulators Promote Loan Modifications by Easing Certain Reporting Requirements:

https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2020/03/bank-regulators-promote-loan-modifications

FDIC Certified Banks in the Rockport-Fulton Area

• CHARTER BANK: (361) 790-7676
• PROSPERITY BANK: (361) 729-7411
• FIRST COMMUNITY BANK: (361) 729-9310
• WELLS FARGO BANK: (361) 729-5411
• AMERICAN BANK: (361) 727-9944
• IBC: (361) 729-0500

updated 3-31-2020

COVID 19 – for information please dial from your phone 2-1-1, Option 6; 

If you do not have symptoms at this time, but would like information call 956-421-5505;

If you are showing signs of symptoms, your first point of contact is your physician.

If you do not have a physician, see your nearest Emergency Room or Hospital.

TEMPORARY STANDING ORDER REGARDING CORONA VIRUS
DISEASE (COVID-19) MITIGATION AND FULTON MUNICIPAL COURT
IN ARANSAS COUNTY (Order No. 01 – March 20, 2020)

Due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Fulton Municipal Court in Aransas County issued the following order based on the Office of Court Administration’s “Updated Guidance #1 on Court Procedures for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).” All phone calls will be answered during each court’s normal business hours. All filings will continue to be accepted via e-mail and fax until normal court operations resume. This order is issued to protect the community, limit exposure, and provide for an efficient judicial system.

Read the full Standing Order Here