Coronavirus Illness Count In Williamson County Grows To 7

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County officials on Thursday said the number of confirmed new coronavirus cases for the area has grown to seven — up from four reported the previous day.

The Williamson County and Cities Health District announced the upgraded tally, saying a previously confirmed case reported on March 18 was transferred to Travis County’s jurisdiction for monitoring. This monitoring transfer brings the count to seven rather than eight after the four confirmed cases previously confirmed.

County described the new cases as involving:

• A man in his 30s with known international travel history;
• a woman in her 30s, also with known international travel history;
• Another woman in her 40s with exposure to an area with community spread;
• a man in his 50s with unknown exposure history.

"At this stage information is very limited, WCCHD and Williamson County will share more as it becomes available and necessary to protect the health of the public," county officilas said in a prepared statement.

Added Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell: “We have prepared for the fact that more confirmed cases would come to Williamson County, so we are ready. We will continue our essential operations and serving the residents of Williamson County while adhering to more stringent social distancing policies. Technology is being utilized to a greater extent in order to fulfill our daily tasks under the new criteria. We continue to ask everyone to follow the preventative measures and be prepared, not scared.”

Officials noted health privacy protection laws only permit the release of limited patient information, blocking the Williamson County and Cities Health District from releasing additional patient information. Investigations conducted by the department will identify potential contacts exposed to the virus, officials said. The department will provide close contacts guidance about the virus and monitor them for the development of symptoms, officiasl added.

"The most important things that we can do as individuals to avoid exposure and avoid exposing others should be the main focus as a community," Dr. Lori Palazzo, the district's medical director and Williamson County Health Authority, said. “Social distancing is crucial - older adults and those with underlying health conditions need to stay in their homes. All others need to stop going out in public places for non-essentials reasons and spreading the asymptomatic virus."

In light of the additional cases, Palazzo reiterated previous advice in an attempt to keep residents healthy:

• Staying home when you are sick, except to get medical care. Using telemedicine if possible.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• When you can't wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• Practicing social distancing — keeping a space of 6 feet between you and others; and avoiding any type of mass gatherings.
• Getting a flu shot. (Although the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, it is flu season.)

To ensure the health and safety of all our residents, Gravell previously issued a disaster declaration on March 14 to activate the emergency management plan, which enables the county to allocate resources, utilize personnel and enact procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Williamson County. The move also allows for state assistance to be requested if local resources and mutual aid are insufficient. Under the local disaster declaration, the judge is given the authority to exercise any and all necessary powers set out under the Texas Disaster Act of Texas Government Code Chapter 418, officials noted.

Those with symptoms of respiratory illness including cough, fever and shortness of breath, are urged to contact their health care providers. "It is important to call ahead before arriving at a clinic, urgent care or emergency department to avoid potential spread," health officials added.

For more information, visit www.wcchd.org/COVID-19 . For information on the county response to COVID-19, go to www.wilco.org/COVID-19.

From March 18:

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Four cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in Williamson County on Wednesday, triggering more stringent restrictions on the scale of public gatherings allowed.

The four afflictions stem from the China-originated new coronavirus respiratory ailment that is now a global pandemic. Originally referred to as new coronavirus, the illness renamed as COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have sparked outbreaks in the past."

The four COVID-19 cases were described as:

• A woman in her 40s who has been self-quarantined.
• A male in his 50s with exposure to a known case.
• An infant who is a close contact with a separate known case.
• A woman in her 40s who has known travel history to France.

"As testing is becoming more widely available, we expect to continue to see more cases,” Dr. Lori Palazzo, the county's medical director and Williamson County Health Authority, said in a prepared statement. “Approximately 80 percent of individuals who test positive COVID-19, including the four cases we received today, experience mild symptoms and fully recover in a few days. The exception to this is our 65 years and older population.

As part of their investigation, county health officials are now seeking to identify potential contacts exposed to the virus, Palazzo said. “We have developed strong relationships with partners and health providers through the years. Together, we have planned, prepared, and tested our ability to respond to public health events like this, but it is critical that we all do our part to slow the spread of this virus.”

Williamson County officials staged a press conference to provide further details. Technical glitches affected the transmission, but a transcript of what was said was later provided:

The emergence of the four positive tests prompted County Judge Bill Gravell to issue a new order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people — less in scale than the 50-plus gatherings previously banned by an earlier iteration of the judicial order issued four days ago. The new order took effect at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

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The revamped ban on crowd sizes applies not only to public events, but to activities once seen as routine and even mundane — church services, weddings, funerals, fundraisers and the like, both indoors and outdoors — suddenly suffused with inherent danger given the spread of the ailment via respiratory droplets from afflicted people.

Moreover, the county order compels food establishments to close common dining areas open to the public even while encouraging operators to take-out and delivery options. Bars also were close: "The holder of a wine and beer retailer’s permit or mixed beverage permit is ordered to close common indoor and outdoor bar spaces open to the public and is prohibited from allowing consumption on the bar premises during the effective period of this order," Gravell wrote in his order.

Related story: Coronavirus: WilCo Judge Declares Local State Of Disaster

He explained the need for the fortified order in the wake of positive diagnoses for COVID-19: "Williamson County is taking these more stringent measures to reduce the spread of this virus in the community so that our health care facilities will not be overwhelmed in the days to come, he said. "We continue to ask that our residents practice social distancing and be at least six feet apart in distance from the person next to them. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this time of dramatic changes. Be prepared, not scared.”

For updates on county related news on COVID-19, residents are directed to www.wilgo.org/covid-19. A hotline of sorts has been established during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help answer questions. The number is (512) 943-1600. The phone line will be operational by Thursday, March 19, at 10 a.m. For health care related questions, residents are urged to call Williamson County and Cities Health District helpline at (512) 043-3660.

Palazzo emphasized the importance of good hygiene practices as a line of defense against contagion. The health authority issued tips to buttress the point:

• Staying home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Using telemedicine if possible.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• When you can't wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
• Practicing social distancing - keeping a space of 6 feet between you and others; and avoiding any type of mass gatherings.
• Getting a flu shot. Although the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, Palazzo, we are in the midst of flu season.