Tyler Reporter

City of Tyler issued the following announcement on June 4

Re-opening resources available to business owners from the State of Texas: www.TDEM.texas.gov/essentialservices

PLEASE NOTE: Starting next week (June 8-12), Joint Information Center updates will only be sent and published on Tuesdays and Friday, when recovery numbers are reported. Any necessary weekend notifications about COVID-19 case numbers or patients will be made by the Northeast Texas Health District.

Northeast Texas Public Health District

There is 1 new confirmed COVID-19 case for a total of 216 positive cases in Smith County as of Thursday, June 4 at 2 p.m.

There are 4 COVID-19 related fatalities within Smith County as of Thursday, June 4 at 2 p.m.

There are currently 177 reported recovered cases in Smith County as of Tuesday, June 2 at 2 p.m. *Please note: recovery numbers will be updated on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Active cases in Smith County: 35

The Northeast Texas Public Health District, in partnership with the local government, hospital systems and colleges, has established an additional call center to assist with novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pre-screening for individuals without primary care physicians.

Should you be experiencing or developing COVID-19 symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, cough or shortness of breath, call (903) 617-6404 to speak with a representative who will make referrals to physicians.

*Northeast Texas Public Health District PIO: Terrence Ates, (903) 343-5451

City of Tyler

See a complete list of reopening facilities and phone information on the City’s website. This list is subject to change.

City of Tyler PIO: Jenny Wells, (903) 944-9136

Smith County

The Smith County Tax Office Substations in Noonday and Troup reopened to the public on Tuesday, May 26.

Residents can pay their property taxes or renew their auto registration at the Noonday Tax Office Location, at 15405 Highway 155 South. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (903) 590-4824.

Residents can renew their auto registration at the Troup Tax Office Substation, located at 313 E. Duval St. in Troup, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (903)590-4741.

The Main Tax Office, located in the Cotton Belt Building in Tyler, opened May 1, while the Lindale Substation opened May 13.

Most of Smith County’s offices are open to the public in a manner consistent with the guidelines and directives of Governor Gregg Abbott’s Office. Some offices are changing the way they interact with the public. Even though Smith County officials have revised the way some of their offices offer services to help stop the spread of COVID-19, essential services have never stopped. Jury duty continues to be suspended through at least August 1. For a full list of adjusted Smith County services, please visit https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/corona-virus-information.  

Smith County PIO: Casey Murphy, (903) 590-4607

Tyler Independent School District

Tyler ISD will host in-person outdoor graduation ceremonies June 3 through June 6 at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. All candidates for graduation and guests will be required to follow TEA and state mandated health protocols including social distancing guidelines and safety and security measures at each ceremony.  Please visit www.tylerisd.org/graduation for additional information.

For district updates such as grading, GPA, Distance Learning information and other frequently asked questions, go to www.tylerisd.org/covid19.  

TISD PIO: Jennifer Hines, (903) 521-5887

Hospital Updates

Due to CDC recommendation, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances is asking all patients, visitors and employees to wear a mask while visiting our facilities. Homemade cloth masks are appropriate for visitors. Providers and health care workers will continue to use appropriate medical masks (PPE) when working.

Both CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and UT Health East Texas have expanded telehealth services and online screening tools to best serve their patients. Telehealth services will be HIPPA-compliant.

If you are experiencing or developing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, call to speak with a clinician who will provide telephonic triage and make appropriate referrals in accordance with CDC guidelines. Additionally, you may visit www.coronavirus.gov and take a “Coronavirus Self-Checker” assessment. This will help you communicate symptoms to your doctor when you call their office before making a visit.

To coordinate prescreening and referral directly with UT Health East Texas, patients may call (903) 596- DOCS.

To coordinate prescreening and referral directly with CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, patients may call (903) 606-DOCS.

**In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Texas Department of Public Safety

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License (DL) Offices in North/East Texas will reopen with limited services beginning June 3. Customers can begin scheduling appointments through the DPS website at www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ on May 29 at 1 p.m.

DPS is moving to appointments only; services will be limited to customers with appointments only who are seeking a first-time Texas DL, commercial driver license (CDL), learner license or identification (ID) card, as well as those who need to take a driving test. These will be the ONLY services available at DL offices during these initial phases of reopening. Customers must pay with a credit card, check or money order. NO CASH PAYMENTS.

Upon arrival at the DL office, customers can check-in with their smart device or by using the kiosk inside the office. Due to social distancing requirements related to COVID-19, we are asking that customers wait in their car after checking in. Customers will receive a text message when it’s time to come inside to complete their transaction.

As a reminder, the extension of the expiration of Texas DL/CDL/ID/Election Identification Certificate (EIC) cards remains in effect. Due to the extension still being active, appointments for renewals will not be available until further notice.

DPS is taking extensive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure customers and staff are as safe as possible during DL transactions. Visit www.txdps.texas.gov for more information on safety measures that will be in place as DL offices reopen.

Customers can conduct their transactions online, by phone or by mail. DPS encourages Texans to check the expiration date on their card and call 1-866-DL-RENEW (1-886-357-3639) or visit Texas.gov to see if you're eligible to conduct your transaction online.

DPS PIO: Jean Dark, (903) 330-2433

Original source can be found here.

Source: City of Tyler