GIDDINGS, Texas — Editor's note: This story is no longer being updated. Check KVUE's daily COVID-19 blog for the latest updates.
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) announced on Twitter on June 23 that a child at the Giddings State School had tested positive for COVID-19. Later the same day, the TJJD confirmed a youth development coach at the school had also tested positive.
A few days later, on June 25, officials announced five more youth at the school tested positive. Those five were linked to the initial positive case.
On Tuesday, July 1, TJJD announced five more youth at the school tested positive on June 30, bringing the total number of positive youth cases at the school to 11. Additionally, a teacher at the school tested positive late Tuesday evening.
The initial child was put into quarantine at Giddings with a fever but no other symptoms, according to TJJD. TJJD said the family had been contacted by the agency and said the child would remain on campus for treatment unless doctors advised that they be admitted to a hospital.
"I want the youth and his family to know that we will give him the best medical care that we can," Camille Cain, executive director of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, said. "Our agency has been preparing for the possibility of a positive youth case since the start of the pandemic, and we are well-positioned from a staffing standpoint to respond. Our priority is the health of this young man."
TJJD said the five other children were also quarantining since the initial case. The youth development coach's test was confirmed on the night of June 22.
On July 1, TJJD said the youth who tested positive all remain on campus for treatment.
On July 13, officials announced two more youth cases, bringing the total to 74. On July 14, officials said an additional staff member tested positive.
As of July 17, 38 youth at the school have recovered from COVID-19 and been medically cleared to return to their dorms. The campus currently has nine remaining youth on medical quarantine.
On July 21, one more youth at Giddings and one more youth development coach tested positive for COVID-19.
Since the start of the pandemic, Giddings has had 37 staff members test positive for COVID-19, TJJD said.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: