WilCo Officials Calm New Coronavirus Fears

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — As fear of the new coronavirus grows, Williamson County health officials on Thursday sought to calm residents' fears of its reach.

While there have been 11 confirmed cases in the U.S., WilCo officials said, there have been no reported cases in Texas. The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

Williamson County and Cities Health District officials said they are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local and regional public health and healthcare agencies.

Health officials emphasized Asian/Pacific Islander individuals are not at greater risk of carrying the coronavirus than any other individual. County officials said the health district continues to conduct disease surveillance and investigation activities, provide guidance to the health care community and disseminate consistent public health messaging.

“You are more likely to become sick with the flu than to be diagnosed with coronavirus,” Dr. Lori Palazzo, the health district's medical director, said in a prepared statement. “There have been more than 10,000 deaths due to the flu nationwide since October 2019. The best defense against the flu is getting a flu shot.”

The overall risk of 2019-nCoV in the U.S. to the general public is low, WilCo health officials assured. To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including flu and 2019-nCoV, health officials urged residents to follow these measures:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more information on coronavirus, visit CDC.gov/Coronavirus or DSHS.Texas.gov/Coronavirus.