In the midst of this surge of coronavirus cases, county data shows there are 2% of intensive care unit beds available for coronavirus hospitalizations countywide, down to 13 total beds.
The WCCHD in a July 19 news release stated the county’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate at that time was 4.65%. The rate of new coronavirus infections in Williamson County has more than doubled since July 19.
Austin and Travis County are reporting 53 new hospital admissions over a seven-day average, according to Austin Public Health’s online coronavirus dashboard.
In Williamson County, there are still more than 500 hospital beds available for coronavirus admissions. That is 12% of all hospital beds available countywide, according to the WCCHD online coronavirus dashboard.
Local hospital systems Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David's HealthCare on July 29 released a joint statement addressing rising coronavirus hospitalizations.
“The latest COVID-19 spike is putting extraordinary pressure on our hospitals, emergency departments and health care professionals, and it has further challenged hospital staffing due to a longstanding nursing shortage. Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David’s HealthCare continue to ask our community to help us and each other by getting vaccinated, practicing social distancing and wearing a mask. We cannot emphasize strongly enough the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant,” the July 29 statement said.
The hospital systems further stated they have developed surge plans in case hospitalization demands outpace capacity. According to the July 29 statement, these plans include sourcing additional staff from regional and national partners and potentially transferring patients between facilities.
“Our responsibility during this pandemic continues to be balancing our readiness to care for patients with COVID-19 while making sure patients who depend on our hospitals receive needed and timely care. We do not want to see necessary non-COVID care delayed as it was during the early stages of the pandemic,” the statement said.
WCCHD officials continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated to protect against the coronavirus. Williamson County is reporting 61.32% of its eligible population is fully vaccinated.
To find a vaccine provider near you, visit www.vaccines.gov or call WCCHD at 512-943-3600 for an appointment at a public health centers.
