City issues local disaster declaration

Update: For the latest information on the City’s response to Coronavirus, go to the City of Georgetown Coronavirus (COVID-19) site.

Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross has declared a local state of disaster for the City of Georgetown in order to limit the development and spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the city. This follows disaster declarations by the President of the United States, the Texas Governor, and the Williamson County Judge, and is based on information provided by public health agencies. While the City of Georgetown has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus, this declaration allows the City to allocate resources, reorganize personnel, and enact procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Georgetown. It also allows for state assistance to be requested if local resources are insufficient.

2020-03-14 City of Georgetown COVID-19 Disaster Declaration

As of today, more than 1,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 40 deaths from the disease have been reported in the United States.? Texas Governor Greg Abbot reported a total of 39 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the State of Texas, as of March 13.?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects more cases of COVID-19 are likely to be identified in the United States in the coming days.

“Like our partners at the County, State, and Federal levels, we are working to ensure the safety of our community,” Mayor Ross said. “Right now, that means trying to limit larger gatherings and making sure we have the resources we need to prepare and respond here in Georgetown. The best things you can do are wash your hands and stay home if you are sick. If you do feel ill, please contact your healthcare provider before coming to a facility.

“If you are at higher risk of coronavirus because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is important for you to stay home as much as possible to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease. Our goal is to reduce the spread of disease to the point where our healthcare system can maintain capacity and properly care for our residents.”

Local COVID-19 information

The City is in daily communication with public health, city, and county officials across the region. We are sharing information with residents from the Williamson County and Cities Health District, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the disease and how to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Go to the Coronavirus information page for the latest updates on local response.

DSHS recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care.

The CDC has issued guidelines and quarantine recommendations for travelers returning from countries with elevated risk of coronavirus.

Additionally, the City is preparing to implement a continuity of operations plan if such steps are needed to protect public health and has increased its efforts to clean and disinfect public surfaces. The company that provides the City’s janitorial services is using hospital-grade disinfectant and is cleaning frequently touched areas more often. The City also has instructed each department to make hand sanitizers available in common areas and for front-line employees.