GA-32 rules the day – in some counties

ELLIS COUNTY – Amidst the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-32 last week, rolling back occupancy levels in some counties to 50 percent due to the high hospitalization rate and occupancy. 

On Thursday, Dec. 3, Ellis County and all of Trauma Service Area E reached seven consecutive days of lab-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations being above 15 percent according to a release put out by the City of Red Oak.

Executive Order GA-32 went into effect December 4, and will remain so until the area has seven consecutive days of COVID-19 hospitalizations under 15 percent.

Per Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32, all restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms, exercise facilities and classes, and libraries are required to return to a maximum of 50 percent occupancy levels. 

Bars and similar establishments are also now closed due to the order as well as all licensed hospitals being required to discontinue elective surgeries.

After days of requesting a comment from Ellis County Judge Todd Little last week, a release was sent Monday indicating Ellis County leadership is not as concerned about the COVID numbers as other counties in the State of Texas.

The release from the judge’s office read, “Last week we gathered in the spirit of Thanksgiving, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock. 

“The resilient men and women who set out on a hope for a future of liberty and freedom ventured uncharted waters, enduring the hardships of building a new life.”

Little continued, “Today, we find ourselves once again in the midst of uncharted waters” and went on to read, “It’s not my job to enforce someone else’s edict. Our community is made up of resilient men and women who work every day to keep our county great. 

“As a small business owner, myself, I understand the challenges that this virus has brought upon our local commerce. 

“Our businesses need our service, and our residents need sustainable employment, while our first responders and healthcare workers are in great need of relief during this time of crisis.

“I trust while each of us utilizes sound judgment, we can and will come together during this time to decrease the COVID-19 hospitalization rate. 

“Please assist your vulnerable loved ones by taking the necessary precautions to keep them safe.” 

Little also added in keeping with the spirit of resilience of Ellis County, “In my lifetime, I have never encountered this magnitude of government intervention on day-to-day livelihoods. 

“Government is here simply to help provide you with the tools and recommendations to be a free people and support your personal liberties. 

“During this time of a high COVID-19 hospitalization rate in Ellis County (32.45-percent), it is important that we each use discernment and wisdom while exercising our personal responsibilities.”

Some confusion regarding Ellis County’s COVID numbers remains uncertain as well since it appears there is more than one agency reporting COVID numbers.  Last week the county’s dashboard read there were 108 active COVID cases with 81 active cases in the hospital.

The high rate of hospitalization numbers were confusing to some – including Judge Little’s office. 

When asked however, the Ellis County Office of Emergency Management replied, “The hospital numbers that are reflected on the dashboard are distributed daily and reflect the current state of the hospital network for the previous day in a 24 hour period. 

“It is important to note the case line list distributed from the Texas Health Trace platform reflects a week to a week and a half delay on the COVID-19 numbers reported.”

The office also added it has no idea regarding the active cases versus hospitalization number ratio because “Ellis County does not receive this information from the hospitals. The hospitals within the county develop their own surge plan with partners throughout the network to facilitate the transfer of patients.”