2 More Die Of Coronavirus In Wilco, Illness Count Grows To 2,100
AUSTIN, TX — Two more people died of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours in Williamson County, where the historical illness count rose to 2,100 on Monday — an increase of 81 from the count tabulated the previous day.
The updated data were input on a statistical dashboard maintained by Williamson County and Cities Health District officials. On Sunday, the dashboard showed an increase of 169 additional cases from the day before.
Two men — one in his 40s, another in his 80s — are the latest to succumb to respiratory illness county officials said. The latest fatalities follow reports on Sunday of another man in his 40s dying of the illness and two elderly patients succumbing on Friday. The latest deaths raise the historical fatality count to 37, health officials reported.
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“It is with a heavy heart that we report the death of two more valuable Williamson County residents," Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said in a prepared statement. "As we begin to prepare for the challenges that this week will bring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to reiterate the importance of implementing safety measures as part of your daily routine to help reduce the spread of this deadly disease. Face coverings, social distancing, and proper hygiene are encouraged not just for your sake, but for the sake of keeping your neighbors healthy as well. Let’s care for one another while we can."
According to the heath district's dashboard, there are 1,165 active cases coronavirus compared to 863 recoveries. Hospital bed availability is now at 36 percent, according to the data, with 12 percent of intensive care unit (ICU) beds and 69 percent of ventilators currently available.
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As illustrated on the dashboard, Round Rock has the highest number of active coronavirus cases at 409. Georgetown has the second-highest rate of open cases with 227, followed by Cedar Park, Hutto and Leander, with 153, 83 and 78, respectively.
There's also an "other" category in the reckoning, with 156 open cases emerging from other areas. The category represents those parts of the county with less than 20,000 population, and a county spokesperson previously told Patch officials aren't legally obligated to provide specifics.
Growing rates of illness across the state in general and the county in particular prompted officials at Round Rock and Cedar Park on Monday to require the wearing of protective facial coverings among residents. The donning of masks has somehow devolved into a political issue recently, with many viewing the practice with skepticism as a tactic of eroding civil liberties.
"This isn't a time for politics or selfishness," conservative Cedar Park Mayor Corbin Van Arsdale said in announcing plans for a mask requirement in the municipality he heads. "Our main priority right now is to make choices that help our neighbors. It's one of the things that makes us Cedar Park. So let's keep being there for each other. We will get through this together."
For more information on the latest COVID-19 cases count in Williamson County, visit the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) dashboard located at www.wcchd.org/COVID-19/dashboard.php. The dashboard information is updated daily by around 4:30 p.m.
Those with respiratory illness symptoms such as cough, fever and shortness of breath, are urged to contact their health care providers. However, health officials noted the importance of calling ahead before arriving at a clinic, urgent care or emergency department to avoid potential spread.
For information on the county response to COVID-19, go to www.wilco.org/COVID-19.
This article originally appeared on the Round Rock Patch
