AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates, check out our new blog here.
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 Sept. 21 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 688,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 14,800 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 28,400 cases have been reported and at least 414 people have died. At least 27,294 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: More than 5,700 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 52 people have died. At least 3,992 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 8,300 cases have been reported in the county and at least 139 people have died. More than 8,000 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Sept. 21 coronavirus data
Updates:
5:50 p.m. – Williamson County is now reporting a total of 8,458 confirmed cases, 8,161 recoveries and 142 deaths.
Travis County is now reporting a total of 28,596 cases, 27,377 recoveries and 415 deaths.
5:00 p.m. – The Hays County Local Health Department reports 42 new lab-confirmed cases since Friday along with 52 additional people now considered recovered. There were also three new hospitalizations and two additional discharges. As of Sept. 21, the Hays County Local Health Department confirms there are at least 1,734 active lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19. Since Hays County first started providing numbers, a total of 5,778 lab-confirmed cases have been reported, including 52 deaths. The Hays County Local Health Department has received 26,202 negative test results. At least 3,992 people have recovered from the virus in Hays County. According to the county, there have been 168 total hospitalizations, with 11 still hospitalized. To view a breakdown of the age range of these cases, visit Hays County's interactive dashboard here.
12:40 p.m. – The Texas Department of Public Safety is now accepting Saturday appointments through the end of the year. This means many driver's license offices will now be offering appointments for customers needing to renew or replace their Texas driver's license or ID cards only.
Appointments will begin on Oct. 3 and continue through Dec. 19, with an exception of Nov. 28 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 pm.
A limited number of same-day appointments will also be available at each office on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers who book these appointments can then leave the office until their designated appointment time. In most offices, customers without an appointment may be offered the opportunity to be placed on a “standby” list. These customers are required to wait in the office and are assisted in the event of a cancelation or a no-show. The number of standby appointments is limited to ensure all customers who are placed on the list will be served by the end of the day.
As of Monday, the extension for the expiration dates that was granted in response to COVID-19 remains in effect. The extension means if your license or election identification certificate (EIC) expires on or after March 13, 2020, it falls under the period covered by the State of Disaster Declaration related to COVID-19 and will remain valid for 60 days after which time DPS issues a public notice that the extension period for the disaster declaration has been lifted. At this time, this 60-day notice has not been issued. Customers are able to download a copy of the Verification of Driver License Expiration Extension notice to carry with them if they would like.
For more information, click here.
10:55 a.m. – The Travis County Sheriff's Office reported a new COVID-19 case amove its employees. However, the office said there were no new COVID-19 cases in inmates.
6:15 a.m. – Starting Monday, all restaurants, gyms and retail stores in the Austin area are allowed to reopen at 75% capacity, In addition, nursing homes are allowed to reopen for visitation. However, all Texas bars will need to stay closed.
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