Texas County Threatens to Arrest Non-Quarantined COVID-19 Positive Residents

Residents of a Texas county who have tested positive for the coronavirus could be criminally prosecuted if they do not stay home.

After seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Rio Grande Valley, Hidalgo County is ordering anyone who has tested positive to stay home.

On Sunday alone, the county reported 17 new coronavirus-related deaths and 1,300 new cases.

SEE ALSO: Texas County Says It Will Arrest COVID-19 Positive Residents Who Are Not Quarantined

The order comes as an attempt to help slow down the virus as the surge in cases is overwhelming medical systems.

According to local health officials, some patients wait up to 10 hours for an exam because resources are so scarce.

The order is not only for residents who tested positive, but also applies to those who live with someone who tested positive.

The Rio Grande Valley has become a hot spot for COVID-19, but help is on the way. According to Governor Greg Abbott’s office, five U.S. Navy teams were deployed to four different locations: Harlingen, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Rio Grande City.

SEE ALSO: 5 US Navy Teams Deployed at Texas Coronavirus Hot Spots

Each team is made up of medical and support professionals to help meet the needs of hospitals.