AUSTIN, Texas — KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, news in the Austin area.
Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's June 1 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 64,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 1,600 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The department estimates more than 42,000 people have recovered from the virus.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: More than 3,200 cases have been reported and at least 93 people have died. At least 1,168 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 600 cases have been reported and at least 24 people have died. More than 390 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: There have been at least 335 cases reported in the county and at least four people have died. Around 184 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Texas coronavirus data June 1
Top headlines:
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
- New survey says about 1/3 of people have gone out to eat, drink in past two weeks
- Mayor Adler discusses how Austin is helping Latino community impacted by COVID-19
- Austin/Travis County remain in Stage 3 of COVID-19 risk-based guidelines, health leaders say
Updates:
5:20 p.m. – Hays County confirms its fifth coronavirus-related death, an individual in their 80s who lived along the border of Hays and Travis counties but had an Austin address. Hays County has had a total of 353 confirmed positive cases, with 152 still active.
5 p.m. – Williamson County confirms its 25th coronavirus-related death, a woman in her 80s. As of June 1, Williamson County has had 630 confirmed positive cases, with 206 of those still active. The county reports 399 recoveries. There are 10 people currently hospitalized.
4:23 p.m. – Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), said on a media call there have been 60,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 26,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in U.S. nursing homes. Verma said data on nursing homes impacted by COVID-19 would be posted later in the week and added that CMS is increasing fines for infection control deficiencies in nursing homes. One in four facilities have at least one case of the virus, and one in five have at least one death.
4:15 p.m. – The Travis County Sheriff's Office says the inmate who tested positive for COVID-19 has bonded out of jail and is not currently in custody. TSCO reported the inmate's case on Friday, the first inmate case at the Travis County Jail.
TCSO also reports five new positive COVID-19 cases among TCSO employees, four in corrections and one in the Administration and Support Bureau. This brings the total number of positive cases among TCSO employees to 12.
As of Monday, June 1, of the 1,829 inmates in Travis County, 12 are currently in quarantine with zero positive cases. A total of 320 inmates are currently in isolation.
4:10 p.m. – Dell Seton Medical Center announces it has discharged its 100th patient after recovering from COVID-19. Physicians, nurses and other staff lined the hospital's halls Sunday to cheer on Dina Romo.
4 p.m. – A new analysis of COVID-19 outbreaks in 58 cities has found that places that took longer to begin implementing social distancing measures spent more time with the virus rapidly spreading than others that acted more quickly, according to a University of Texas press release.
In a new paper from epidemiological researchers at The University of Texas at Austin, now in press with the CDC’s journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers studied cities throughout China and analyzed when first cases were detected, when social distancing measures were implemented and when the outbreak was considered contained. UT said its team found that every day a city delayed in implementing social distancing measures after the appearance of a first case added 2.4 days to the length of the outbreak.
“Every day saves time, saves effort, saves people becoming infected and probably saves lives,” said Lauren Ancel Meyers, a professor of integrative biology who leads the UT Austin COVID-19 Modeling Consortium. “This is particularly important as we think about the coming weeks and months.”
The findings are applicable both to communities experiencing their first outbreaks and those that may see a resurgence in the coming months, Meyers said. Waiting a week after early signs of resurgence might require about 17 more days of social distancing to slow the spread of the pandemic, according to the data.
3:53 p.m. – Since Austin City Council’s April 9 passage of funding for additional utility bill assistance during this unprecedented time, City of Austin Utilities has provided $896,948 in financial help to our residential customers. To date, more than 3,200 customers have received assistance toward their utility bills through the City’s Plus 1 Emergency Financial Support Program. The Plus 1 Program provides immediate help to customers who are having financial difficulties and are unable to pay their utility bills due to unexpected emergencies – including COVID-19. Due to the expansion of this program, the City of Austin is ready to help more customers in need. Plus 1 is just one way the Utility Bill Relief ordinance is helping utility customers struggling to pay their bills due to COVID-19. Read more about all the measures the City is taking to assist customers with the Utility Bill Help ordinance.
11:20 a.m. – The City of San Marcos announces the following changes to its summer programs:
Parks and Recreation
Summer Camp Programs: The first session of the 2020 summer camp programs has been canceled. Originally scheduled to begin on Monday, June 8, both Discovery Camp and Summer Fun are tentatively scheduled to begin on Monday, July 13, with more details to come. Parks staff will update www.sanmarcostx.gov/camps as well as www.facebook.com/smtxcs with details as they become available.
Pool: Rio Vista Pool was originally scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend but will remain closed for the duration of the summer.
Facilities: All facility reservations taking place at the San Marcos Activity Center, Dunbar Recreation Center, City Park Recreation Hall and the Old Fish Hatchery have been canceled through the end of June.
League activities: Baseball, softball and soccer practices may resume beginning May 31 and games/tournaments may resume beginning June 15. Summer season adult softball leagues as well as the USA Developmental League are scheduled to proceed with registration beginning online only June 1 and practices and/or games beginning later in June or July. Jr. NBA/WNBA practices and games are tentatively scheduled to begin in July and are based upon facility reopening. For more information on all youth and adult leagues, including registration links, please follow www.sanmarcostx.gov/athletics and www.facebook.com/smtxcs. Velcro T-ball, Summer Adult Volleyball and Summer Slam seasons have been cancelled.
Youth Events:
• Movies in Your Park - canceled for June, tentatively scheduled to begin in July after further evaluation.
• Daddy Daughter Dance - originally scheduled for June 19, has been canceled and may be rescheduled for later this year.
• Babysitter’s Training Class - originally scheduled for June 24, has been canceled and may be rescheduled for later this year.
• Boys & Their Toys - originally scheduled for July 10, has been canceled for 2020.
Summer Fest: The Summer Fest concert has been canceled. The fireworks show may go on as scheduled, based on the availability of funds.
For current Parks and Recreation Department information, visit Parks and Recreation Department COVID-19 Updates.
Library
Summer Reading Program: The Summer Reading Program will move forward with Reader Zone, a virtual summer reading program purchased by Kiwanis Club. Instead of paper reading logs this year, participants can easily keep track of the number of minutes read with the Reader Zone app. Just like every other summer, participants will be entered for a chance to win a prize for every four hours of reading time. Detailed instructions for getting started on the Reader Zone are here. For folks who prefer a more low-tech option this summer, then check out one of the library’s high-fun game boards! All participants have to do is complete five challenges to make a diagonal, vertical, or horizontal line for a chance to win a prize. Those feeling really ambitious can download Reader Zone and a game board to double the chances of winning prizes!
Summer Performances: All summer performers have been canceled or postponed.
Summer Star Teens: The library is still inviting teens (ages 12-17) to sign up to be Star Teens this summer, where they can have the opportunity to earn volunteer hours. Instead of working in the library, there are a number of activities that teens can do from home to help the library.
Library Programs: All programs are currently online. The GED and ESL classes may return to in-person when the library opens.
Information Services & Front Porch Pickup: The library information desk is open daily to answer your questions by telephone or email. Front Porch Pickup continues, so library cardholders can the library know what they would like to pick up and read this summer.
San Marcos Public Library’s Virtual Book Club: Anyone may join the Virtual Book Club on Facebook where members can share current reads, leave book reviews, ask book-related questions, give recommendations, post pictures of read pile, and so much more. Bookish ways are welcome here!
San Marcos Public Library’s Jobs and Resources Page: Join the library’s Jobs and Resources Page on Facebook, where staff help the community find new employment and the resources needed for career growth and change. This group is for job postings in and around San Marcos, as well as professional development opportunities, certification courses, and other relevant resources.
Visit the San Marcos Public Library online to read more or visit the San Marcos Public Library YouTube page to watch storytime, readings, and more.
Fire Department
The Junior Fire Academy: The Junior Fire Academy has been canceled for this summer.
To access more information, visit the Fire Department website.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Austin-Travis County coronavirus cases reach 3,272, 93 deaths
- Hays County reports 147 active COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths
- Sports set to return to TAPPS schools Monday
- Massive protests raise fears of new coronavirus outbreaks
- US faith leaders wrestle twin traumas in protests, coronavirus
- 'Justice demands accountability' | Mayor Adler speaks about Mike Ramos and George Floyd
- Defenders Q&A: Where can I get a reliable COVID-19 test in Travis County?