Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell: 'Our resources as a county are limited'

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said he has been on national and international calls to secure medical supplies for first responders and elderly people in the county with hopes that some will arrive soon.

The Williamson County and Cities Health District announced that as of April 2, the county has 63 confirmed coronavirus cases. Of those, 11 are in the intensive care unit, and eight are on respirators, Gravell said. Nineteen are reported to have recovered.

“Our resources as a county are limited, and we're making those available to first responders, and we're making those resources available to local funeral homes,” he said April 2 while giving an update on the county's fight against coronavirus.

Gravell said the county is also working to establish a county care center that would house 1,500 beds to be used if needed. Gravell added that the location has not been disclosed because it is pending state approval.

Williamson County also has 113 test kits available. Gravell said he and his team are working to secure more tests but will not accept any that are not FDA-approved.

“The worst thing that I can do is to put some test out there that is unproven and test our first responders and give them a false sense of hope that they're OK,” he said.

In the meantime, Gravell said major companies with local offices, such as Apple and Dell, are helping the county with technology needs. Smaller businesses such as breweries in Cedar Park and Liberty Hill are helping by producing hand sanitizer.

“The solution is not in Washington, D.C., and I don't even believe the solutions in Austin, Texas. I believe the solution is in the heart in the hands of every citizen of Central Texas, so I'm grateful for their collaboration,” Gravell said.