Coronavirus: Travis County Illness Count Nears 600

AUSTIN, TX — The number of positive coronavirus cases grew by 42 on Wednesday, bringing the total number to date at 597.

Austin Public Health updates the number of cases daily. In announcing the latest grown count, health officials have taken to emphasizing on a data dashboard the number of those recovered from respiratory illness caused by the COVID-19 virus — 106 patients to date, as indicated in font some 3 1/2 the size of the number indicating new diagnoses.

To date, seven people have died from the ailment across Travis County. The most recent person to succumb from the illness, a woman in her 50s, was confirmed on Tuesday.

In neighboring Williamson County, the patient count inched toward the 100-mark as 10 new cases brought the illness count to 97. On Tuesday, Williamson County health officials also reported the region's fourth fatality from the contagious illness, described as a woman in her 50s.

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

Statewide, the number of coronavirus cases in Texas rose by 986 on Tuesday from the previous day — the highest single-day increase since records have been kept tracking the spread of illness — to bring the total number of confirmed case to 8,262. To date, 154 fatalities have been reported from the respitory illness across the state.

By Wednesday, the Texas illness count gained another 1,091 patients for a total number of positive COVID-19 diagnoses to 9,353, as updated on the Texas Department of State Health Services website. The number of fatalities across the state grew by 23 by Wednesday evening, briging the total to 177 patients.

The elevated Travis County illness count came on a day that city and county officials announced preparation for a medical "surge plan" to mobilize resources and backup facliities should a bolstered influx of newly diagnosed patients overwhelm already-taxed hospitals.

The higher count also comes in a week that saw officials in Travis and Williamson counties urge residents to start wearing protective face coverings to further deter the spread of illlness. At a press conference detailing the so-called surge plan, both Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt wore fabric face coverings as each approached the lectern before speaking, removing the garment as they addressed the audience on myriad broadcast sites.

The sole physician in the room, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott, opted not to wear a protective face covering even while advising the populace to do so toward mitigating illness spread. Once advised only for the already afflicted, the use of fabric to cover one's face is now being recommended for everyone venturing outdoors for essential outings amid shelter-in-place orders.

Related stories:

• Coronavirus: WilCo Illness Count Nears 100 With 10 New Cases
  
• Coronavirus: Austin, Travis County Implement Medical 'Surge Plan'
• Coronavirus: Texas Records Biggest Single-Day Rise Of Illness
• Coronavirus: Austin Illness Count Up To 554, 7th Death Reported
• Coronavirus: Travis County Illness Count Exceeds 500
• Coronavirus: WilCo Illness Count Grows To 87, 4th Death Reported
• Coronavirus: 2nd Death Reported In Williamson County
• Coronavirus: Austin Officials Offer Face Coverings Guidance
• Coronavirus: WilCo Urges Residents To Wear Face Coverings
• Coronavirus: Cedar Park Closes Parks, Trails Ahead Of Easter
• Coronavirus: Williamson County Closes Parks Ahead Of Easter
• Coronavirus: Austin Closes More Parks For Social Distancing
• Coronavirus: Pflugerville Closes City Parks Easter Weekend
• Coronavirus: Austin Bans Golfing Amid Pandemic
• Coronavirus: Texas Closes State Parks, Historic Sites
• Coronavirus: Austin Closes More Parks For Social Distancing

As a further preemptive measure this week, a number of entitites announced the closure of parks and recreational sites, including Austin, Cedar Park, Pflugerville and Williamson County. Gov. Greg Abbott this week issued an order for all state parks and historic sites to be closed.

The efforts are being taken in further adherence to health officials' physical distancing guidelines to blunt the spread of illness transmitted from respiratory droplets emitted by coughing or sneezing. To combat a highly contagious illness for which there is no vaccine, physical distancing is seen as the most effective way to slow its spread.