WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — The Williamson County and Cities Health District’s daily report shows that 315 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Wednesday, December 16. The total number of cases is creeping toward the 17,000 mark, with 16,693 confirmed cases. Good news, however, is that the death rate remains low, at just 182 people.
There were 303 new cases reported the previous day. The report on number of cases is published and updated on weekdays.
The county remains in the “red” phase, according to the WCCHD’s chart, which is the worst, named as “uncontrolled community spread.” This means there has been no decline in the number of local cases for the previous 14 days. Also, that the positive test rate is above 16 percent during the previous 14 days with hospitalization rates not declining.
According to WCCHD, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.
Following is prevention information from WCCHD:
What are steps to help prevent the spread of illnesses such as flu and COVID-19 if you are sick?
- Use a cloth face cover
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. Using telemedicine if possible.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to
- the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- When you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with
- at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
- Practice social distancing – keeping a space of 6 feet between you and others; and avoiding any
- type of mass gatherings.
- Get a flu shot. (Although the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, it is flu season.)
FACT: COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19, according to WCCHD:
None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19. There are several different types of vaccines in development. However, the goal for each of them is to teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.
It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.