Effective Nov. 15, Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) will be using the CDC Data Tracker for determining Gating Phases in Williamson County.  The Phases are used to inform the public of the COVID-19 community transmission risk. The Data Tracker site (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view) provides an integrated, standardized view of key data for monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in Williamson and the surrounding counties, and across the United States. According to the CDC Data Tracker, Williamson County is in the Orange or Substantial phase. 
 
The case data that CDC Data Tracker uses is imported from the WCCHD dashboard, and based on the case and test activity, will assign a level of risk of transmission. The WCCHD Phased Gating Stages document will no longer be referenced. WCCHD advises any organization that is informing policies based on the Data Tracker to consider including that changes will occur after seven consecutive days in the same-colored phase to account for possible fluctuations.

With the high level of community transmission and the upcoming holiday season, the following is recommended for all regardless of vaccination status:
•    Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
•    Stay at least 6 feet from others who don’t live with you.
•    Avoid crowds. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.

Getting fully vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent COVID-19 infection. To find a vaccine location near you, visit www.vaccines.gov, or text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) in English or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish, or call 833-832-7067 for a referral to a local vaccine provider, or call WCCHD at 512-943-3600 for an appointment at our Public Health Centers.

To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public regardless of vaccination status.