Second Scurry County resident dies of COVID

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At roughly 5 p.m. Wednesday, Scurry County Judge Dan Hicks released a video in which he announced the second COVID-19 death in the county.

Correctional Officer Kenneth Harbin, 60, died July 4 and his death was Scurry County’s first related to the COVID-19 virus.

According to Hicks, “We were notified this afternoon that a 49-year-old male has passed away from cardiac arrest due to COVID complications. So that will go to the death list, so we have two deaths here in Scurry County that have COVID attached to them.”

As usual, Hicks did not reveal any identifying information about the deceased, other than age and gender.

Also Wednesday, Snyder Superintendent Dr. Eddie Bland issued a letter announcing that a Snyder High School student has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The student is the district’s third to test positive for the virus. Two other students received positive test results for the disease on Tuesday. 

The students’ identities have not been made public.

In the letter, Bland said people who have been in close contact with any of the three positive individuals have already been notified to quarantine. None of those people will be allowed to return to Snyder ISD facilities until they have met the “return to work/school requirements” outlined on the district’s website.

Bland emphasized that the district is continuing COVID-19 precautions including robust cleaning and disinfecting protocols followed daily, social distancing, daily screenings of staff and students for symptoms of COVID-19 including temperature screening, enforcement of all UIL guidelines related to COVID-19 and masks for all staff and students in fourth-12th grades when six feet distancing cannot be maintained between individuals. 

On Monday, Snyder City Hall will reopen to the public. City Hall originally closed to the public in late March due to the pandemic.

According to the press release announcing the reopening, “We ask that you wear a mask and stay six feet apart. Access is limited to those doing business in City Hall please, do not bring family members or friends. Thank you for help keeping everyone safe. We appreciate your patience.”

As part of their daily COVID-19 reporting, Scurry County officials indicated there were 54 active cases of the disease, 199 people have recovered, there have been two deaths and a total of 255 cases so far this year.