In the state's Trauma Service Area O, 11% of hospital beds are available and 1% of intensive care units are available as of the afternoon of Aug. 9. This means there are 470 available hospital beds and 6 available ICU beds in the region, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 dashboard. The region includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, San Saba, Travis and Williamson counties.

The county's current rolling seven-day average of positive tests is 50.81 per 100,000 people, according to an Aug. 9 update from Williamson Counties and Cities Health District. The average one month ago July 9 was 4.8 cases per 100,000.

The WCCHD reported 328 new cases Aug. 6, 58 cases Aug. 7 and 452 cases Aug. 8. Fewer cases were reported Aug. 7 due to a system update, according to the health district.

To date, there are 45,847 confirmed cases in the county. The number of coronavirus-related deaths is now 499 with two more deaths since Aug. 6.

Williamson County remains in the “red” phase of “uncontrolled community spread." According to guidelines, this phase means the county has not seen a decline in the COVID-19 infection rate or hospitalization rates for at least the past seven days.


To move into the "orange" phase, three criteria need to be met, according to the health district:
  • ”The incidence rate needs to be below 12.7 for 14 consecutive days and incidence should be trending down during those 14 days";
  • "The positive test rate needs to be below 15% for 14 consecutive days"; and
  • "The COVID hospitalization rate for TSA Region O needs to be decreasing for 14 consecutive days."
The WCCHD continues to recommend all eligible residents get vaccinated. As of Aug. 9, 52.06% of Williamson County residents are fully vaccinated, and 60.68% of residents are partially vaccinated.

To find a vaccine provider near you, visit www.vaccines.gov or call the WCCHD at 512-943-3600 for an appointment at a public health center. Additional vaccine and testing information is available on the WCCHD website.

Made with Flourish


Iain Oldman contributed to this report.


Editor's note: This article has been corrected to say there are 11% of available hospital beds and 1% of available ICU beds in Region O, not Williamson County.