Williamson County, Texas

The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) announced five new positive COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the County’s total to 14.

The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) announced a new positive COVID-19 case on Saturday, bringing the County’s total to nine.

The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) announced four new positive COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the County’s total to seven. A confirmed case reported on March 18 was transferred to Travis County’s jurisdiction for monitoring. At this stage information is very limited, WCCHD will share more as it becomes available and necessary to protect the health of the public. If you have symptoms of respiratory illness including cough, fever and shortness of breath, please contact your health care provider. Investigations conducted by the Williamson County and Cities Health District will identify potential contacts exposed to the virus and provide close contacts guidance about the virus and monitor them for the development of symptoms. If you have symptoms of respiratory illness including cough, fever and shortness of breath, please contact your health care provider. It is important to call ahead before arriving at a clinic, urgent care or emergency department to avoid potential spread. For more information, visit www.wcchd.org/COVID-19.  

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Sheriff Chody’s commitment to the safety of the Williamson County community is steadfast. Sheriff Chody has ordered all available resources to be focused on addressing the immediate public safety needs of the community while confronting this Pandemic.

In response to the CDC’s recommendation and out of caution to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 Virus the following steps will be taken by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office until further notice. These are being set in place out of concern and respect for each of our community members. Sheriff Chody asks for your patience and understanding in hopes that we will be able to resume normal operations when it becomes safe again to do so.

Sheriff’s Office Operations/Patrol:

• Emergency/Life-Threatening calls or “In Progress” calls for service will be handled in the same manner as always and will not change.
• Non-Emergency/Routine calls for service will be handled over the telephone, if possible. If a deputy is required, our communications staff have been directed to ask if anyone in the household is exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.
• Deputies will try to maintain a “social distance” out of concern and respect for the community.
• Fingerprinting services for civilians have been suspended until further notice.
• The Sheriff’s Citizens Academy has been postponed until further notice.
• The Sheriff’s Junior Academies for the summer are under review.
• The Sheriff’s Self Defense Classes are postponed until further notice.
• The Sheriff’s Community Services programs are postponed until further notice.
• All volunteer services have been suspended until further notice.
• All 68A (Vehicle Inspections) have been suspended until further notice.
• Visitors coming into the Secure Area of the Sheriff’s Office will be restricted.
• Community members are encouraged to call-in where possible instead of coming to the Sheriff’s Office.

Jail/Corrections:

• Enhanced medical screening will continue for prisoners and will be extended to Peace Officers, Attorneys and all staff entering the facility
• Medical Staff will assess all incoming arrestees specifically for COVID-19 in the Sally Port. If the arrestee is showing symptoms of the virus, the arresting officer will be redirected to take the arrestee to a hospital. The arrestee will not be accepted in the jail until he/she has been cleared by a doctor.
• Pursuant to a recommendation from Texas Commission on Jail Standards, all face-to-face visits for inmates have been canceled until further notice except for attorney visits.

• Access to the Jail will be limited to persons with a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

Animal shelters in areas already affected by the novel virus have felt a significant impact. Because of this, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is operating under an emergency plan. Currently, the shelter remains open to the public for adoptions and fosters. However, that may change, at which time, we have made contingency plans for a curbside pick-up process.

WCRAS will change the hours open to the public on Friday, March 20, 2020. The public hours will be 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Learn more about the initiatives the WCRAS is taking by clicking the title to read more.