Cass County exceeds maximum active cases for mask exemption

Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks said Monday that the Texas Department of State Health Services reports 25 active COVID-19 cases in Cass County.

Additionally, a spokesperson for Bowie County Joint Operations reported to the Journal-Sun that Atlanta Police Chief Robin Betts released the case count to their office today citing 62 total cases and 35 recovered. There have been three deaths, bringing the active-case count to 25.

Wilbanks posted Sunday on Facebook that Cass County is no longer exempt from GA-29 due to the number of active cases within the county, but no case count was reported at that time.

Wilbanks shared a notification her office received Sunday from the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

"As of July 12, 2020, CASS COUNTY is no longer exempt from GA-29 due to the number of active cases in CASS COUNTY reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services as of 4 p.m. today”, Wilbanks wrote.

GA-29 requires counties with more than 20 active cases to enforce the wearing of face masks in public.

When asked if her office would enforce, encourage law enforcement to enforce GA-29, Wilbanks said that her office is not an enforcement agency.

“Enforcement belongs to law enforcement agencies.  Any questions regarding enforcement of the Governor's Order GA-29 should be directed to those agencies” Wilbanks responded, “As County Judge, I have urged, and continue to urge, our citizens to not only be responsible for themselves but for others as well.  This responsibility includes adhering to all recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control.”

The Journal-Sun is reaching out to law enforcement throughout the county and will report information as it is made available.