Positive for COVID-19? Self-isolate or face arrest in this Texas county, official says

A county in South Texas says there could be serious consequences for those who test positive for coronavirus and don’t self-isolate.

People positive for COVID-19 in Brooks County could be arrested if they refuse to self-isolate from other people, county attorney David Garcia said in a public notice.

Garcia told KIII that community members contacted his office to report that some people who’d tested positive for the virus had visited grocery stores and other businesses.

“If you’re going to go out and endanger other people, and we find out about it, we will prosecute you,” Garcia told KIII. “People have not really embraced the dangers of COVID-19. It’s dangerous. It’s killing people, and it’s making people very sick. So either do it because you’re concerned about others or do it because you’re going to be punished if you don’t.”

Those infected with the virus are only allowed out of isolation to get medical care until they’ve received a formal release, according to Garcia.

Leaving self-isolation may violate Texas Penal Code 22.05, which says “a person commits an offense if he recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily harm,” Garcia said.

A person who leaves self-isolation does not have to infect another to be in violation of the code, according to Garcia. Exposing someone to the virus without previous warning could be enough, he said.

Garcia asks anyone who may be a victim of “this type of exposure” to contact his office.

Brooks County has 10 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of July 7 and no deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

This story was originally published July 7, 2020 at 7:32 AM with the headline "Positive for COVID-19? Self-isolate or face arrest in this Texas county, official says."