Coronavirus: WilCo Illness Spikes Sparks Concern

Tony Cantu
Updated ·3 min read

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County health officials are heightening calls for residents to practice safeguards to blunt he spread of the coronavirus amid a spike in cases this month.

Officials on Monday detailed the sharp rise in cases across the county, saying that of the confirmed cases reported in June, 50 percent were community acquired or from contact with a confirmed case, while 16 percent were associated with a cluster from a long-term care facility or workplace. The remaining 35 percent of cases were from an unknown infection source, health officials said.

Moreover, significant increases in community transmission and transmission at places of work (chiefly construction sites and restaurants, officials noted) are also being reported. Approximately 27 percent of the new total confirmed cases have occurred in the past week, and the number of current active cases has increased 47 percent in the past week, officials added.

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in the Austin area. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily

According to a statistical dashboard maintained by Williamson County and Cities Health District officials, there have been 960 cases of coronavirus since the onset of illness along with 584 recoveries. As of Monday, there were 346 active cases across the county — 49 more than the day before — with 7 residents currently being treated in intensive care units and three placed on ventilators.

All told, 30 people in the county have died of the illness as posted on the dashboard.

“Today’s numbers continue a trend of a significant increase in the number of new cases and active cases in the past two weeks," Dr. Lori Palazzo, the health district's medical director and Williamson County health authority, said in a prepared statement. "It is more important than ever to avoid large crowds and keep six feet apart from others when you are outside your home. Wear cloth face coverings when out in public to protect yourself and the people that you come into contact with.”

Palazzo's advice is a far cry from February during the early incursion of the respiratory illness when much about the virus was unknown. At the time, the health authority sought to assuage residents' anxiety by noting the risk of catching the flu was far greater than the respiratory illness: "You are more likely to become sick with the flu than to be diagnosed with coronavirus," Palazzo said at the time. "There have been more than 10,000 deaths due to the flu nationwide since October 2019. The best defense against the flu is getting a flu shot."

Related story: WilCo Officials Calm New Coronavirus Fears

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care.

  • If you are confirmed or suspected to be COVID-19 positive, isolate for 14 days.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children to do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-base hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

For more information on coronavirus in Williamson County, testing information and dashboard with daily updates, visit www.wcchd.org/COVID-19.

This article originally appeared on the Round Rock Patch