Coronavirus: WilCo Illness Count Now 293, 8 Deaths

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — An eighth person has died of new coronavirus in Williamson County, and the number of cases to date grew to 293 — a half dozen more than the level recorded on Tuesday, officials said.

The new figures were provided by the Williamson County and Cities Health District on a dashboard that is updated daily. Amid the statistics, health officials noted 169 people have recovered from the respiratory illness, while 11 remain hospitalized and one is on a ventilator.
Health officials described the latest person to die of the illness as a woman in her 60s, but were unable to provide more details due to patient privacy provisions.

"Williamson County is joining another family in mourning the loss of a loved one due to the coronavirus," Williamson County Bill Gravell said in a prepared statement. "While we are preparing to reopen in a safe and thought out manner, it is crucial that we continue to practice social distancing, as able, and follow proper hygiene guidelines to help reduce further spread of this deadly disease.”

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Gravell himself recently was found violating physical distancing provisions in order to attend a birthday celebration for his grandson. Gravell borrowed firefighters' gear to show up at his daughter's home in Jarrell where the party was taking place, having been transported there by a sheriff's deputy.

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At a subsequent meeting, Jarrell Fire Department officials requested an apology from Gravell for having put Fire Chief Mark McAdams in an awkward position aftr being asked for the firefighter's equipment, but an apology was not forthcoming. McAdams previously sent a statement to Patch expressing his regret in having loaned out the taxpayer-funded equipment for a child's party.

In announcing the two additional deaths from the COVID-19 virus on Tuesday, Gravell suggested his joy in anticipating the gradual reopening of the economy as directed by Gov. Greg Abbott was tempered with sadness given the lingering illness threat.

"As joyful as I am that we are beginning to open up Williamson County at the end of this week, we are again reminded of the seriousness of this disease," Gravell said in revealing the two more deaths on Tuesday.

The heightened illness count comes three days after the county recorded its biggest single-day rise in coronavirus cases to date — 51 more diagnoses largely attributable to an illness outbreak at a nursing home impacting 46 people.

As the level of illness grows in Williamson County, health officials urge those exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness — including cough, fever and shortness of breath — to contact their health care providers. However, health officials stress 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.