PORT NECHES, Texas — A lack of communication in Port Neches has led to frustration among officials after the chief of police wasn't told about a positive case of COVID-19 in the city.
Port Neches Police Chief Paul Lemoine says he had to launch his own investigation to confirm a case of coronavirus.
"There's no excuse for it and all of us need to do a better job," Lemoine said.
He says the health department isn't keeping city leaders in the loop.
"That's the one thing that could be fixed, too. It's going to take everybody working together and getting on the same page," Lemoine said.
When the chief heard rumors of a young man testing positive for COVID-19, he started his own investigation.
"Spoke to the doctor who treated him and verified that there was a test was performed and it did come back positive," Lemoine said.
The man is in his twenties. Lemoine said he tested positive March 31.
12News reached out to the Port Arthur Health Department for comment but didn't hear back.
Chief Lemoine has contacted Judge Jeff Branick.
"They'll reach out to each of the health departments and see what we can do to improve that and shorten the notification period," Lemoine said.
Last week, Jasper County Judge Mark Allen shared similar concerns with 12News.
"We're still are needing a little more support from some of these smaller health care providers in getting that information out," Allen previously told 12News.
Judge Allen had to sign an order advising health care companies to report within four hours any patient who has symptoms and plans to be tested.
"In the event you have a 911 call for a medical emergency or something, you're not going to know that unless you have that information ahead of time," Lemoine said.
He says the young man has gone through the 14 days of quarantine and is feeling better.
"We're all in it for the safety of our employees and the public, that's the bottom line," Lemoine said.