Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – Dr. Ivan Melendez, the Hidalgo County Health Authority, has tested positive for COVID-19. The county’s chief medical advisor learned of his test results Monday morning after being called away from a press conference involving Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, Hidalgo Precinct 4 Commissioner Ellie Torres, and several hospital administrators.
Melendez joined the press conference late and left early and had minimal exposure to people in the room, particularly the media, which was stationed at the other end of the room. In addition, he and everyone in the room wore facial coverings further mitigating the possibility of exposure. All people entering the press conference were also screened by an official with the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department who checked everyone’s temperature.
Melendez is a clinician meaning that he had continued to see patients as the pandemic hit Hidalgo County. Among his daily rounds was interaction with patients who had also tested positive for COVID-19. He immediately self-isolated and is generally asymptomatic having expressed slight fatigue. He said he will continue to see patients via videoconferencing.
“Dr. Melendez has come to be an insightful and trusted advisor during this pandemic,” Judge Cortez said Tuesday. “I am praying for his quick recovery.”
