WilCo Illness Count 2,469, 3 New Deaths

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Three people died of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, Williamson County health officials said on Friday, raising the historical death toll to 42.

Williamson County and Cities Health District officials described the deceased as a man in his 50s, another in his 60s and a woman in her 90s Patient privacy laws precluded health officials from releasing further information.

“Although this is supposed to be a time when we celebrate Independence Day, instead we are entering the holiday weekend mourning the loss of precious lives taken by COVID-19," Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said in a prepared statement. "This is no time to put our guard down! Whether it is July 4 or not, every day we can make a positive impact in our community by following the safety measures that keep the virus from spreading further. Let’s not gamble with our lives or the lives of others around us.”

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Health officials noted the statistical dashboard they maintain daily and update by 4:30 p.m. each afternoon will not be updated on Saturday or Sunday, July 5, as the site undergoes data transfer.

The number of cases of the coronavirus grew by 81 on Friday, bringing the historical illness count to 2,469, according to the health district's statistical dashboard. The dashboard data indicate 102 people are currently hospitalized, including 32 being treated at intensive care units and another 11 patients placed on ventilators.

The growing shortage of hospital resources illustrates the ongoing reach of the respiratory illness. According to the dashboard data, 29 percent of the county's hospital beds are available. The availability of intensive care unit (ICU) beds is down to a mere 11 percent, health officials reported, and 60 percent of ventilators.

Related stories:

• Williamson County Coronavirus Count Grows To 2,339
• 2 More Die Of Coronavirus In WilCo, 7 In Five-Day Span
• Williamson County Expands Free Coronavirus Testing Sites
• Texas Governor Mandates Face Masks Amid Coronavirus Spikes

Amid the grim data, a hopeful sign: 972 patients have recovered from the contagious respiratory illness for which there is no vaccine. Health officials also noted 18,258 tests for the virus have been performed.

New illness cases grew substantially on Wednesday, when health officials reported reported 139 additional cases with 98 patients hospitalized.

Prompted by the growing rates of illness — not just in Williamson County, but statewide — Gov. Greg Abbott this week issued an executive order mandating the wearing of protective fabric coverings when in proximity to others outdoors. The move represents a 180-degree turn for the governor who previously resisted such a mandate while extolling the virtues of "personal responsbility" in making their use voluntary. The gubernatorial order took effect on Friday.

The governor has taken other steps to stem the illness tide. Before the mask mandate, he ordered all bars to close up again, and banned all elective surgeries and medical procedures for the time being to ensure space for an influx of coronavirus patients. He also paused his own economic expansion that began on May 1, that amounted to halting the ability of already opened businesses to operate at full capacity.

For the latest COVID-19 cases count in Williamson County, please visit the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) dashboard located at www.wcchd.org/COVID-19/dashboard.php.

As always, county health officials urge those exhibiting coronavirus symptoms such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath to contact their health care providers. However, health officials urge people to call ahead before arriving at a clinic, urgent care or emergency department to avoid further spread of the illness.

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