Help Slow the Spread

How can I prevent COVID-19 from spreading?

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that the best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, this includes social distancing, proper hand washing, staying home if you feel sick and more. Find a library of DSHS communication tools to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 HERE.

Wash Your Hands Often-Deep in Heart of Texas m2

social-distancing_infographic_dr.-signer (1)"The Power of Social Distancing" Info graphic Credit: Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., Assistant professor of Medicine at the University of California San Diego.Gary Warshaw, Art Director

PSA from Govenor Greg Abbott:

Per the Texas Department of State Health Service’s web page: 

How can Texans slow the spread of COVID-19?

  • The next two weeks are critical in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Texans must act now.
  • Stay home as much as possible, especially if you are sick, older, and/or have a medical condition.
  • If you are sick, stay home except to access medical care. If you are able to take care of yourself, stay home. If you need to see your doctor, call ahead.
  • Avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and non-essential trips into public.
  • Cancel events of more than 10 people.
  • Limit close contact (at least six feet) with other people. Employers should allow alternative work options as much as possible.

What about testing ? 

Testing is being done in our area and requires a physician’s order. For more information regarding testing resources and availability call 2-1-1. GPCH is requiring a physicians order in regards to COVID-19. Testing does not change CDC recommendations nor the US Surgeon General’s public warning on 3/23/2020  "everyone needs to act as if they have the virus right now. So, test or no test, we need you to understand you could be spreading it to someone else. Or you could be getting it from someone else."

Preventing disease is everyone’s responsibility.The choices we all make now regarding social distancing and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines will directly impact how quickly our area recovers from this virus. While there are no confirmed cases at this time, it is important to take the same precautions as if there were confirmed cases as increasing data on both a national and state level is showing that most of the virus’s spread is via asymptomatic (and therefore untested) people.

CDC COVID-19 FAQs