WC Texas News

MINERAL WELLS – Officials of the City of Mineral Wells and Palo Pinto County are adhering to an emergency declaration from the COVID-19 virus, saying the policy will be enforced with penalties for those who don’t comply.

In addition officials said county resources should be able to meet the crisis.

"We have some limited resources here, but I want to reassure everyone that the resources we do have are adequate for our needs right now," Palo Pinto County Judge Shane Long told the Mineral Wells Index. "Our emergency management coordinators for the city and also the county are working very diligently to make sure everything is supplied and that we have the resources that we need to continue to provide for the health and safety of our community."

Long asked residents to understand what needs to be done to prevent the spread of the virus.  

"We want to be sure that everybody understands that the actions we are taking are for the health and safety of our community," he said. "I realize there are some inconveniences that come with that."

The City of Mineral Wells and Palo Pinto County issued local disaster declarations on March 19, enabling them to access federal funding. A statewide disaster declaration was issued earlier that day by Gov. Greg Abbott. 

The County of Palo Pinto reported its lone case of the COVID-19 virus on March 31. As of April 5, Texas reported 6,812 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 127 deaths. 

Mineral Wells Mayor Tammy Underwood said once Abbott implemented a statewide disaster plan, city officials made the decision to go forward with their own local disaster declaration.

"I would just like to make a plea to our citizens to abide by this proclamation," Underwood said in the Mineral Wells Index report. "This did not come easy for the leadership of the county and the city but we believe that it's time. Everyone has to do their own part. So please don't be defiant about what these rules are. The quicker that we all abide by this and stop the spread, the quicker we can get back to life as we know it and love it. So I just ask that every individual do your part and take care of yourself, your family and your neighbor."