BEAUMONT, Texas — This article contains ongoing U.S. and international updates on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects. Here are some key updates for Tuesday, June 30, 2020. You can find more details by scrolling through the story.
Today's Headlines:
- Beaumont saw another death and 48 new cases on Tuesday
- Kountze & Deweyville suspend summer workouts amid coronavirus concerns among student athletes
- As COVID-19 cases surge, state agency reverses decision to require Texans on unemployment to look for a job
- Orange County Judge confirms he has tested positive
Active cases: 1,636 Fatalities: 48 Recovered: 729 Positives: 2,412 Hospitalized in Jefferson County: 72
Latest updates:
Here are the latest updates from around Southeast Texas, Texas, Louisiana and some from the world (all times are local Central Daylight Time)
June 30, 6:11 p.m. – West Orange-Cove CISD announced on Tuesday they will allow parents to choose between in-person school and online learning for the upcoming semester. Read more.
June 30, 4:30 p.m. – The Beaumont Public Health Department reports 52 new cases in its jurisdiction on Tuesday. This includes 48 in Beaumont, 2 in Cheek, 1 in Hamshire and 1 in China. Another death was reported as well, bringing the total to 26 for the cities in the BPHD's jurisdiction, and 33 for Jefferson County. Read more here.
June 30, 12:30 p.m. – Deweyville and Kountze ISD are the latest districts to shut down summer workouts over coronavirus concerns.
A student athlete at each Deweyville and Kountze have tested negative for COVID-19. But, both districts say they are suspending workouts as a precaution.
Kountze athletes are set to return on July 14 and Deweyville will be out for the rest of this week. READ MORE HERE
Here's a message Deweyville coach Prouse sent out Tuesday:
Just wanted to update everyone. Our student athlete went and got tested and it came back negative but to keep safety precautions in order we are going to keep the athletic facility closed the remainder of the week. Our first priority is the safety our student athletes, coaching staff and community of Deweyville. Be safe and enjoy your 4th of July.
Thank you,
Coach Prouse
June 30, 12:15 p.m. – The Texas Workforce Commission decided Tuesday to retreat from a plan to require work searches starting July 6.
Typically, the state's unemployment agency requires people receiving unemployment benefits to perform job searches for each week in which they request unemployment benefits.
June 30, 11:35 a.m. – About 60 – 70 people are lined up to be tested for the COVID-19 virus as of about 11:30 a.m. at a testing site at the Cristo Rey Parish church in Beaumont Tuesday morning. Workers at the site tell 12News they are testing about 60 people an hour.
June 30, 11:10 a.m. — The coronavirus is spreading too quickly and broadly for the United States to have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat.
June 30, 11 a.m. — People traveling to New York from eight more states will have to quarantine for 14 days after they arrive after Governor Cuomo added them to the travel advisory list Tuesday.
June 30, 10:50 a.m. — Orange County Judge John Gothia has confirmed to 12News that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
June 30, 10:50 a.m. — The head of the Food and Drug Administration says vaccine developers will be expected to study COVID-19 shots in racial minorities, the elderly, pregnant women and those with other health conditions.
June 30, 10:50 a.m. — FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn outlined the guidelines for potential vaccines at a Senate hearing on reopening schools and workplaces.
June 30, 10 a.m. — The European Union announced Tuesday that it will reopen its borders to travelers from 14 countries, and possibly China soon, but most Americans have been refused entry for at least another two weeks due to soaring coronavirus infections in the U.S.
Travelers from other big countries like Russia, Brazil and India will also miss out.
June 30, 9:35 a.m. — Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia has extended the county's mask order through July 7 according to a news release from the county.
June 30, 7:25 a.m. — At least five Southeast school districts have recently suspended or temporarily postponed summer football practice as a precaution or after a player has contracted coronavirus.
June 30, 7:18 a.m. — There are several testing sites available in Southeast Texas today..
- Cristo Rey Church, 767 Avenue A, Beaumont
- 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Kirby Elementary, 1205 N 5th St, Silsbee
- 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. through Wed., July 1
- McCabe-Roberts Avenue UMC, 1205 Roberts Ave, Beaumont
- 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. through Thursday, July 2
- Call (409) 240-1494 for an appointment and more info
June 30, 7:15 a.m. — Recruiters have had to abandon their normal visits to high schools and malls, and instead are relying almost exclusively on social media to reach young people. As that effort builds, Army leaders believe it may evolve into a new system that will allow them to scale back the size and staffing at enlistment storefronts and reduce the number of recruiters.
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Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
