National Guard to come to Williamson County after another death reported

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas - The National Guard is coming to Williamson County to do testing similar to sites set up in rural towns last month.

Tests will be given out in Taylor near the Expo Center on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. County Judge Bill Gravell said additional details will be released Thursday.

"This sign up for that particular testing facility is all managed and taken care of by the State of Texas,” said Judge Gravell.

Commissioners were told the number of COVID-19 related deaths by COVID 19, as of noon Tuesday, was at 11. They were also told 333 illnesses were reported. About half of the serious cases in Williamson County, according to Gravell, are from nursing homes. Gravell said inspections of all nursing homes in the county are being ramped up.

"As long as we've had 70 people testing positive in a nursing home, and we've had five or six die within the last week, we are going to be cautious, whether it’s a month, or five months, whatever is prudent, when we get there,” said Gravell.

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The most recent outbreak in Georgetown appears to be contained, but the first big case in Round Rock remains a hot spot. The county's viral response strike team was praised and also how the first alarm came about.

"The reason these two nursing homes that I have talked about were discovered was because of a Williamson Co Paramedic who has been on the inspection team, who went out there and said it didn’t seem right and said something, and without her leadership, I'm not sure where those two different complexes would be,” said Gravell.

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County officials also issued a reminder to residents that three free COVID19 testing sites are now open in Georgetown, Round Rock, and Cedar Park. Those seeking to use the sites must first go through online screening, but a referral from a doctor is not needed.

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