Coronavirus: WilCo Illness Count Grows To 660

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The number of cases of the coronavirus grew by 11 on Thursday, bringing the total count to 660. The fatality count remained unchanged at 27.

The statistics are compiled in a dashboard updated daily by the Williamson County and Cities Health District.

From Wednesday:

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The number of cases of the coronavirus in Williamson County grew by 13 on Wednesday, bringing the total to 649. The fatality count remained unchanged at 25.

The statistics are compiled by Williamson County and Cities Health District officials on a dashboard now updated by 4:30 p.m. daily. Dashboard data show 424 people have recovered from the illness since contracting the virus. All told, 97 people have been hospitalized since the onset of illness, with 46 people admitted at intensive care units and two dozen placed on ventilators.

Currently, the dashboard shows there are 200 active illness cases, with three people on ventilators and four at intensive care units.

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The bolstered illness count was reported on the same day that Gov. Greg Abbott announced further expansion of the business openings as he seeks to reignite a pandemic-stalled state economy. To that end, the governor said all businesses in Texas will be able to operate at up to 50 percent capacity, "with very limited exceptions," he said in a prepared statement.

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From earlier:

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The number of cases of the new coronavirus on Tuesday rose by six, bringing the count to 636 in a 24-hour period. The fatality rate remained unchanged at 25.

The statistics are compiled by Williamson County and Cities Health District officials on a dashboard now updated by 4:30 p.m. daily. According to the dashboard data, 412 people have recovered from the respiratory illness since the onset of illness — 22 more than reported the previous day.

There are 10 patients currently hospitalized, according to the dashboard, three of whom are on ventilators.

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One more person died was reported to have died of the respiratory illness on Monday, a woman in her 80s.

For more information on the latest COVID-19 cases count in Williamson County, visit the Williamson County and Cities Health District dashboard at www.wcchd.org/COVID-19/dashboard.php.

Those with symptoms of respiratory illness — including cough, fever, and shortness of breath — are urged 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.