In a July 12 news release, the Williamson County and Cities Health District announced the county is now in the orange phase of coronavirus-mitigation recommendations. This means the county is in a stage of “high community spread,” according to county documents.
The move comes as Williamson County recorded a coronavirus incidence rate of 6.17 per 100,000 people on July 12. That rate has more than doubled in the past week and continues to increase, according to the WCCHD.
Hospitalization rates “remain low” in Williamson County, according to the WCCHD. The July 12 hospitalization rate is 2.47%, though that rate has doubled over the past week.
Residents ages 18-30 account for the highest number of new confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the WCCHD.
“Vaccination remains the single most proven effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and our best tool to end the pandemic,” WCCHD lead epidemiologist Allison Stewart in the July 12 news release. “With the increase in variant infections, and waning immunity from those previously infected, this is a critical time for our community to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated."
Williamson County in May adjusted its coronavirus phased mitigation recommendation to match the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention interim public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people. There are no changes to local rules and regulations for businesses due to changes in phases from the WCCHD, according to the July 12 news release. The color-based phases serve as recommendations for behavior and risk management for Williamson County residents.
The recommendations for partially or unvaccinated individuals have not changed, according to the news release.
Williamson County will resume daily updates Monday through Friday for its coronavirus dashboard. That dashboard can be accessed here.
