Brownwood News – This an update from the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department as of 12:30 pm Friday, April 3rd:

The Brownwood-Brown County Health Department released the workplace of the fourth confirmed case due the amount of possible public exposure. The Health Department is recommending a 14-day self-isolation based on CDC guidelines for those who were in Brookshire’s on the dates of March 28th, 29th and 30th.

Following a possible exposure, symptoms may appear within 2-14 days.

• After symptoms appear the person may, based on recent studies, be contagious for 48 hours prior to symptom onset– NOT the 14 days before.
• The person will continue to be contagious until the symptoms are completely gone for 72 hours.
• Just as self-isolation has been recommended following travel to an area of known disease, self-isolation is recommended following being in the same place as a person who tested positive.
• Those self-isolating can begin day one the day following their visit to Brookshire’s.

The Health Department’s epidemiology staff is working with Brookshire’s to ensure quarantine requirements are met for store employees. Currently there are 10 employees who have been quarantined to monitor symptoms. Brookshire’s completed a professional sanitation process before reopening.

Remember that COVID-19 is mainly spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are near by or possibly inhaled into the lungs. Droplets can also land on surfaces and picked up by others who touch the surfaces.

To reduce your risk exposure follow, the guidelines for prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html and https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.

The City of Brownwood has set up www.brownwoodtexas.gov/health as an online portal with up to date information regarding the confirmed COVID-19 confirmed case, and additional preventative measures. Additional information will be posted to www.brownwoodtexas.gov/health as it becomes available.