Important Updates on the Coronavirus

AUSTIN, TX - The following is an update from Congressman Kevin Brady, in regards to the Coronavirus:

As your Member of Congress, your safety is my top priority, and I want to make sure you are updated and informed on the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) news.

Please be assured Congress and the Administration—including the White House and all relevant agencies—are coordinating to assess the situation and aggressively respond to the COVID-19 threat. We are taking every necessary step to keep Americans safe against the spread of the virus and potential drug shortages.

Prevention

As you may know, there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus, and to practice these everyday preventive actions:

Click here to learn more about steps to take before, during, and after any community spread of COVID-19.

Travel

For your safety, travel to certain areas is strongly discouraged.

The Department of State currently lists China and Iran at Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Additionally, Mongolia, Italy and the Republic of Korea are currently listed at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. However, within those countries there are specific areas designated Level 4: Do Not Travel.

For Italy: Level 4 - Do Not Travel to:

Lombardy and Veneto due to the level of community transmission of the virus and imposition of local quarantine procedures.

For South Korea: Level 4 - Do Not Travel to:

Daegu due to the level of community transmission of the virus and imposition of local quarantine procedures.

For more information on current travel protocol and restrictions, click here.

Detection

Symptoms may appear anywhere between 2-14 days after exposure. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and include cough, fever and shortness of breath.

If you develop symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread, contact your healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional will work with Texas’ public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

For more information on what to do if you are sick with COVID-19, please click here.

Assistance

If you or a loved one are returning from an affected country and need assistance or are having trouble returning to the United States, please contact our caseworkers, Vita Swarers or Janet Qureshi, at (936) 441-5700.

If you are in China and need immediate assistance, please contact the U.S. State Department at CoronaVirusEmergencyUSC@state.gov.

For Texas-specific COVID-19 questions or concerns, please contact the Texas Department of State Health Services at coronavirus@dshs.texas.gov, or call (877) 570-9779.

For local assistance, see the listing of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID?19) Local Health Entities.

My office is ready to assist you, and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions on COVID-19. As always, thank you for taking the time to read, and please forward this information to family and friends who you think would be interested.

It's an honor to serve you in Congress,
Kevin Brady