Emergency management officials have opted to expand COVID-19 testing dates through the holidays and into early January due to increased demand from the public. During the third of a round of Wednesday testing events Oct.

Local emergency officials reported a marked increase of COVID-19 test participants on the first day Oct. 6 of a free drive-through event in Marble Falls, which allowed for a less invasive sample collection method.

For the rest of this week, Marble Falls residents can get a free Curative cheek swab test for COVID-19 at the Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista, Marble Falls. Marble Falls Fire Rescue Chief Russell Sander, who is also the regional coordinator for the Emergency Operations Center, said the tests will be given from 10 a.m.

Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order June 26 limiting certain businesses and services as part of the state’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. This decision comes as the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 and the number of hospitalizations have increased and the positivity rate in Texas increased percent, which the governor previously stated would lead to further preventative action. … Find the rest of this story in the Tuesday, June 30, 2020 issue of The Highlander, the newspaper of record for the Highland Lakes. To offer a comment or news tip, email editor@highlandernews.com. To subscribe, call 830-693-4367.