2 More Coronavirus Deaths In WilCo Raise Total Fatalities to 56

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Two more county residents died of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, raising the overall fatality count for the region to 56. The new deaths bring to 21 the number of people succumbing to the respiratory illness across the county in roughly three weeks' time.

The latest to die of the virus were a man in his 70s and a woman in her 90s. Williamson County and Cities Health District officials were unable to release further details given patient privacy laws.

“Losing two more residents from our county at the beginning of the week is a reminder that COVID-19 remains a threat in our community, and we must act accordingly. Protect yourself by properly wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth, and remember to wash that face covering after each use to kill any bacteria," Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said in a prepared statement. "Also, continue socially distancing, carry hand sanitizer with you, and wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds.”

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The two deaths bring to 21 the total number of deaths blame on coronavirus in barely three weeks' time. On Sunday, health officials said a man and woman in their 90s succumbed to the illness. The previous Saturday, officials reported a man in his 60s had died of the virus after two men in their 50s and 70s died of the same cause last Friday. On Wednesday last week, two other men in their 70s succumbed to the powerful virus. A man in his 90s was reported to have died from the illness the previous Tuesday, preceded by the deaths of three more people the Monday before.

According to a statistical dashboard maintained by the Williamson County and Cities Health District, the total number of coronavirus cases since the onset of illness stands at 4,042 — an increase of 232 recorded on Sunday.

The number of county residents currently hospitalized is 106, according to the dashboard, including 33 being treated at intensive care units and 17 placed on ventilators. As illness rates increase, hospital resources continue to dwindle, with 32 percent of hospital beds currently available. The percentage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds was down to 15 percent, while the percentage of available ventilators was 72 percent.

As of Sunday, the number of reported cases of coronavirus stood at 3,810. The statistical dashboard maintained by the Williamson County and Cities Health District also indicates that 96 county residents are currently hospitalized, including 32 being treated at intensive care units and 14 placed on ventilators.

For more information on the latest COVID-19 cases count in Williamson County, please visit the Williamson County and Cities Health District dashboard located at www.wcchd.org/COVID-19/dashboard.php. The dashboard information is updated daily by around 4:30 p.m.

Those experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath, are urged to contact their health care providers. However, health officials stressed the importance of calling ahead before arriving at a clinic, urgent care or emergency department to avoid potential illness spread.

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