Coronavirus Spread Slows in Lubbock as Businesses Prepare to Open
The spread of the Coronavirus in Lubbock appears to have slowed. On Tuesday, April 28, the City of Lubbock confirmed just 3 new cases of COVID-19 in Lubbock, no new deaths, and 26 more recoveries.
The city's Health Department has only confirmed 12 new cases over the last 4-day period (April 25 - April 28), and 3 new deaths. The total number of cases in Lubbock County was last reported at 507 on April 28. Over 266 cases remain active, 198 people have recovered, and 43 in total have died from the virus.
Meanwhile, the Plainview/Hale County Health Department released their own Coronavirus update on Wednesday, April 29, reporting just 1 new case of the virus, and 4 new recoveries. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Hale County is now 25. There have also been 14 recoveries and 4 deaths.
The City of Lubbock Health Department is opening a fourth Coronavirus drive-thru testing site on Wednesday, April 29. The new testing site will be open at the Patterson Library, located at 1836 Parkway Drive.
The Lubbock Health Department has also announced it's partnering with Citibus to provide transportation to the testing site. Testing will be available at Patterson Library on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. To make a testing appointment, call the Lubbock Health Department at 806-775-2933.
In conjunction with Governor Abbott's plans to reopen the Texas economy, the Lubbock Economic Recovery Task Force (LERT) plans to establish an online portal for local businesses to sign up and state their intent to follow their proposed reopening guidelines.
The recommendations include using hand sanitizer stations at entrances, incorporating touch-less payment options for customers, and a long list of other recommendations. The LERT was devising their own plan to re-open local businesses, but were overruled by Governor Abbott's state-wide reopening orders put forward on Monday, April 27.
According to Gov. Abbott's newest order, on Friday, May 1st, retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, museums, and libraries will be allowed to open at 25% capacity in Texas. The 2nd phase of re-opening may begin on May 18th.