COVID-19 cases exceed 4,000
The total of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 4,042 in Williamson County by press time Tuesday, and five more deaths have been reported, bringing the countywide total to 56.
The count increased by 425 since last reported by the Sun Thursday, which indicates an increase of more than 100 cases per day. The count started to increase by nearly 100 per day throughout the end of June and into July. The number of cases jumped by 150 per day last week.
The total number of cases has multiplied by nearly seven since the end of May, which ended with nearly 600 cases. July numbers make up nearly half of the total count with about 1,900 cases reported in less than two weeks. June accounted for about 1,500 cases.
A man in his 60s died July 10, a man in his 60s died July 11, a man in his
July 14 3:00 pm
Source: Williamson County Cities and Health District
Virus assistance programs available
Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties is offering three new programs to help residents during the pandemic.
These programs were developed by Community Services to assist those who have been impacted by COVID-19 financially.
COVID-19 Emergency Assistance helps those who qualify with rental assistance, utility assistance or funds to cover the cost of a needed prescribed medication. Additionally, the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and the Self-Sufficiency Program are available for those in Williamson and Burnet counties who qualify. CEAP helps cover the cost of energy bills, while the Self-Sufficiency program provides case management services.
"This pandemic is something that has taken us all by surprise," said Kori Ince, the director of Community Services at OWBC. "More and more families have lost income, are struggling to pay their bills and are now at risk of losing their place to live. With funding from the recent CARES Act, we are able to help COVID-19 affected households by providing basic financial needs."
Visit www.owbc-tx.org and select COVID-19 Emergency Assistance to apply for assistance. Applications can be made online or printed and mailed to the main office at 604 High Tech Drive.
July 10 2:15 pm
City mandates facial coverings
Employees and customers at commercial businesses in Georgetown will be required to wear face coverings effective Friday, July 3.
Mayor Dale Ross issued the order Monday in response to the significant increase in COVID-19 cases across Williamson County in June, as well as the growing number of individuals hospitalized and those put in intensive care units. By press time Tuesday, 36% of hospital beds and 12% ICU beds were available.
The order applies to city facilities and all commercial businesses that directly serve the public.
The county has had a total of 2,100 cases, 1,165 of which are currently active. The month of June accounts for more than 70% of coronavirus cases since the outbreak started mid-March. Georgetown currently has 227 cases — 358 cases overall — and six deaths.
Businesses that do not adopt and enforce this new mask mandate, which is required when physical distance cannot be maintained, face a fine up to $1,000 per offense.
Neighboring cities Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park, Hutto and Taylor have also implemented similar mask requirements.
The order will remain in place until Williamson County reports a positive test rate of 7% or lower over a two-week average.
July 1 7:20 am
Firefighters test positive for virus
Three Georgetown Fire Department firefighters recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The firefighters work in three different city facilities and wore personal protective equipment when interacting directly with the public. They are the first public-facing city employees in Georgetown who have tested positive.
All staff who were exposed to the confirmed COVID-19 positive employees were evaluated for exposure risk and symptoms. When recommended, COVID-19 tests and appropriate action was taken. Employees who are exposed and/or developing symptoms are identified through the COVID-19 screening and exposure process.
Georgetown follows CDC guidance and works closely with the Williamson County and Cities Health District to minimize COVID-19 risk to employees and the community.
The city has enough staffing to continue to meet service demand and is working through plans to address any staffing shortages as they arise.
A city spokesperson said, due to an increase of virus cases in the community, the city expects more employees to test positive for COVID-19 in the coming weeks. The information will be shared if residents will see a change in services.
While most city facilities are open to the public and offer limited services, all employees and visitors are required to maintain physical distance and wear masks when that is not possible. Employees also are required to take their temperatures upon entering a city facility. Given the recent spikes in the city and across Williamson County, city staff are reviewing additional closures to keep the public and staff safe.
"I want to thank all our city employees, who have remained dedicated and committed to serving this community throughout these uncertain, stressful times," City Manager David Morgan said. "Our thoughts are with our affected employees and their families. We are making every effort to care for our employees and maintain their privacy".
July 1 7:20 am
Abbott shutters bars, city closes Blue Hole
In response to a sharp increase in COVID-19 case counts across the state, Gov. Greg Abbott on June 26 ordered bars to close again by noon Friday and restaurants to reduce occupancy from 75% to 50% by Monday.
He banned outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people unless approved by local officials and also shut down river-rafting trips.
The City of Georgetown also responded to major spikes in case counts by closing Blue Hole Park at West Second and Rock streets behind El Monumento Restaurant effective Friday. It is an area that has received frequent complaints about overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been closed to help enforce physical distancing.
The section of the trail going through the park will also be closed, and barricades will be installed at Scenic Drive and at Rock Street to close off the trail. Access to the trail via the low-water crossing below the dam will be closed as will restrooms.
The city, along with its Fourth of July event sponsored by the Georgetown Sertoma Club, has canceled its Blazin' Beer Crawl event planned for around the Square this summer. City council is also considering canceling Georgetown's Music on the Square summer concerts. Council members will discuss at a workshop in July if the Red Poppy Festival, temporarily renamed Popptober Fest, should be canceled. It currently has been rescheduled from April to October 23-25.
June 26 3:30 pm
Abbott urges safety as restrictions ease
Gov. Greg Abbott asked Texans to help slow the spread of the coronavirus at a press conference Monday as numbers spike across the state. He urged people to practice social distancing and wear face coverings.
Williamson County, like many areas in the state, has been experiencing its highest daily increases in June. About 60% of the overall 1,411 cases confirmed in the county since March have been counted in this month alone.
Charts on display at the conference showed trend lines for hospitalization, daily new cases and the positivity rate, which all spiked around Memorial Day. The increases for each nearly doubled.
"To state the obvious, COVID-19 is now spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas," Gov. Abbott said.
On June 3 he announced businesses could increase their occupancy rates up to 50%. He also allowed water parks, amusement parks and carnivals to reopen in counties with less than 1,000 cases. Those with more than that could open on June 19. Restaurants were allowed to operate at 75% capacity starting June 12.
June 23 3:25 pm
County continues free testing
Williamson County and Family Emergency Room plans to continue its free COVID-19 testing services for residents with a streamlined process and more testing sites.
The two entities announced Monday an improved contract to make testing more accessible and scheduling more efficient. Family Emergency Room will now provide a scheduling process that no longer requires residents to wait for a call back to schedule an appointment. People previously had to wait up to 48 hours after filling out an online assessment to schedule a test. The new process will allow individuals to select the time and testing location that best fits their needs.
The agreement also allows more Family Emergency Room sites to be used. Residents can use drive-thru testing at the Whitestone Boulevard and Lakeline Boulevard locations in Cedar Park or the Round Rock facility on A.W. Grimes Boulevard. Family Emergency Room plans to provide testing at additional Williamson County facilities.
The charges for COVID-19 tests currently are covered by most insurance companies. Family Emergency Room will bill insurance companies at no cost to residents. Tests for Wilco residents without insurance will be paid for by the county.
Testing, which originally started May 1 for symptomatic individuals, currently is available for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.
Testing now is being prioritized for symptomatic individuals because of high demand. Asymptomatic and antibody testing is also available for a fee and is being scheduled within a five to eight day period.
Visit familyhospitalsystems.com/covid-19/ for more information on the nasal swab test and the antibody test or to schedule a test.
July 7 4:42 pm
Virus fears limit hospital visits
Hospitals across the U.S. have seen fewer visits for heart attacks, strokes and other health emergencies, as people are afraid to risk COVID-19 exposure in health care facilities.
In April, emergency department visits were down by 45% at St. David's Georgetown Hospital. Fire Chief John Sullivan said Georgetown's fire department received fewer 911 calls in March and April. Before the county's shelter-in-place order in mid-March, dispatchers received about 31 calls per day, which dropped to as low as 19 after the order. Calls went back up after the order was lifted April 30.
Baylor Scott & White facilities, including its Round Rock location, initially saw up to a 40% decrease in emergency room visits, which has since improved.
After delaying treatment, patients have arrived with heart failure, pulmonary conditions, a ruptured appendix, a perforated colon from an untreated digestive issue and advanced infections after trying to treat wounds at home.
Read more in the June 14 Sun.
June 15 6:30 am
