The Commissioners Court approved allocating $939,026 in community development block grant coronavirus relief aid funding to Lone Star Circle of Care for breast cancer screenings and related postponed health care due to COVID-19.
The county has been awarded approximately $2.3 million in CARES CDBG funds. This is separate funding from the $93 million in federal coronavirus relief aid money that was funded directly to the county, County Treasurer Scott Heselmeyer said.
The CDBG funds have to follow CDBG criteria, be COVID-19-related and follow reporting requirements; however, there is not a Dec. 30 deadline on the CDBG funds as there is with the regular CARES funds, Heselmeyer said.
Williamson County and Cities Health District data shows the county has reported more deaths in 2020 than on average, but health officials are not yet able to determine if the increase in deaths is due to postponed or missed heath screenings.
After adjusting for population growth, the increase is particularly seen in June, July and August with the greatest spike in July.
“We only have cumulative death data at this point, and it is pending analysis, but the trend would indicate a rise in deaths for certain periods in 2020,” WCCHD spokesperson Deb Strahler said. “The cause of death analysis is still under review, so determining if the cause was from a person not seeking routine care cannot be determined by our data at this time.”
