The city of Graham shared information on the retail-to-go model for Texas retailers which was included in an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott during a press conference on reopening the state economy Friday, April 17. The information by the Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt, M.D., provides guidance on what retail stores can and cannot do while reopening.
For the first time since March 24, Young County has no confirmed active cases of COVID-19, as the county now shows zero home or hospitalized, with five recovered from the virus.
On Tuesday April 21, Graham Regional Medical Center posted their daily numbers, which showed that the final two patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 had recovered. Young County had six total cases test positive for the virus, now have five recovered and one death.
County leaders met again on Friday to update the community on the developments with COVID-19 and to address local questions. Two important topics during the meeting were a new way to test for the illness available in limited quantities and the reopening of elective imaging procedures at Graham Regional Medical Center.
In a Facebook post on Friday, the Graham Lions Club announced the cancellation of the 2020 Graham Noon Lions Club Carnival that was scheduled for May 6 through May 9.
“The goal of Lionism is to make our community and world a better place to live. Therefore the Lions Club Carnival that was scheduled for Wednesday May 6th through Saturday May 9th, 2020 has been cancelled,” the club wrote on Facebook. “The safety of the people in our community is of the utmost importance. We are hoping that we can reschedule the carnival at a later date after the COVID-19 Virus has subsided.”
Editor’s Note: Due to an overwhelming number of applications, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is unable to take new applications for the Save Small Business Fund. The organization received over 15,000 applications in minutes after opening the fund. Those who submitted an application will be notified by the organization if it results in a grant. The organization is continuing to take contributions to supply the fund.
In a press conference on Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the closure of schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, as a protective measure against COVID-19.
Gov. Abbott had originally closed schools around the state until May 4, an announcement made on March 31.
The Rotary Club of Graham has postponed the 2020 Duck Derby to Sept. 19 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The third year of the Rotary’s annual fundraiser, Duck Derby, was scheduled to occur, today, April 18 at Firemen’s Park.
After stay-at-home orders and shelter-in-place were put into effect across the country, Rotary Club President Matt Hughes and the club made the decision to postpone the fundraising event until September.
With President Trump signing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27, 2020, there are $10 billion in funds to be awarded as economic relief to eligible U.S. airports, including Graham and Olney Municipal Airports.
“This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a press release.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Graham Chamber of Commerce is collecting information through a local business health survey intended to show the organization where it can be allocating its resources during this time in helping local businesses.
Graham Chamber of Commerce Manager Lisa Kinkead said the survey as of now has no end date, but is meant to get a pulse on how the community has been affected.
A man who traveled by vehicle from New York to Olney died Friday and was later confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. The man was presumed to have died from COVID-19 with autopsy results pending, according to Young County Local Health Authority Dr. Pat Martin.
Martin said he came from New York to be with his family in Olney and was sick and tested at one of the medical facilities because of his illness. Martin said the man’s body was taken to the medical examiners office who will determine the actual cause of death.
