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KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus and COVID-19 news in the Austin area.
Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's Sept. 30 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 743,200 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 15,600 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 29,500 cases have been reported and at least 427 people have died. At least 28,464 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: More than 5,900 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 55 people have died. At least 4,415 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 8,600 cases have been reported in the county and at least 143 people have died. More than 8,300 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Sept. 30
Updates:
6:35 p.m. – Travis County reported another death from COVID-19 on Wednesday along with 93 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 29,514 cases and 427 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 28,464 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 79 people hospitalized from COVID-19, with 22 in the ICU and 15 on ventilators.
5 p.m. – Hays County is now reporting a total of 5,940 lab-confirmed cases, 4,515 recoveries and 55 deaths.
Williamson County is now reporting a total of 8,663 confirmed cases, 8,389 recoveries and 143 deaths.
4:15 p.m. – The City of Austin has extended and updated its restrictions regarding Notices to Vacate through Dec. 31, which is the same day as the expiration date of the CDC's order related to residential evictions.
Updates to the order, outside of the extension to Dec. 31, include the circumstances when a landlord is prohibited from issuing a Notice to Vacate to residential and commercial evictions.
The update order can be read here.
Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe also signed a similar order through Dec. 31.
2:50 p.m. – Starting Friday, Oct. 2, Barton Springs Pool will add guarded swim hours on Tues, Fri, Sat and Sun. from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Barton Springs Pool will continue to be open every day from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. swim at your own risk.
2:45 p.m. – The Texas Workforce Commission has been awarded a $27,685,179 federal grant to help address the workforce-related impacts of COVID-19, Sen. John Cornyn announced Wednesday. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Labor using the Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) National Reserve Funds.
“This pandemic has left millions of Texans out of work through no fault of their own, and I will continue to do everything in my power to help them during this time of great need,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Countless Texas families stand to benefit from the nearly $28 million coming to the Texas Workforce Commission through both employment and training opportunities.”
Disaster Recovery DWGs may provide eligible participants disaster-relief employment opportunities, as well as employment and training activities. Employment Recovery DWGs provide reemployment services to eligible individuals affected by mass layoffs, such as those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
1:15 p.m. – Austin Public Health's third phase of All Together ATX grant applications are now open. The Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin are leading the effort to distribute funds to organizations supporting the needs of those impacted by the pandemic.
According to a release on Wednesday, the grants will be awarded in the following areas:
- Food security – grants up to $25,000
- Direct cash assistance – grants up to $150,000
- Social supports – grants up to $50,000
- COVID-19 modifications and PPE – grants up to $50,000
Applications are due on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. and can be submitted online.
An informational webinar about the grants will be hosted on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m. Sign up for that webinar here.
1:05 p.m. – Austin Community College (ACC) is partnering with Education Design Lab to help workers displaced by the pandemic upskill as certified production technicians and certified medical assistants.
"When COVID-19 hit our region, our communities took a hit. Thousands of people lost their jobs; many others were furloughed. As a community college, we knew we had to find ways to help get Central Texans back to work," said Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC chancellor. "With the help of the fund, we are poised to meet this need through innovative job-skilling programs proven to connect employers to qualified workers. Working together, we can close gaps and rebuild our community."
ACC will receive a $100,000 implementation grant to help students prepare for entry-level careers, the college said.
12:25 p.m. – The Martindale Community Library in Caldwell County is offering a free public Wi-Fi hot spot to ensure rural communities have access to internet during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The public access Wi-Fi is available outside 411 Main St. and is the result of a joint effort between the Public Library Association and Microsoft, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
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