AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 and COVID-19 news in the Austin area.
Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's Dec. 28 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 1.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 26,500 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 48,951 cases have been reported and at least 542 people have died. At least 43,940 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 10,074 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 124 people have died. At least 8,397 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 19,519 cases have been reported in the county and at least 198 people have died. At least 18,501 people have recovered from the virus.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Dec. 23
Updates:
7:15 p.m. – In the past week, Austin 311 received 763 coronavirus-related calls. The City says of those, 186 were "COVID compliance-related calls" and 577 were "COVID non-compliance-related calls," meaning questions about testing, vaccines, what the City guidelines mean and other related inquiries.
6:15 p.m. – The Texas Department of State Health Services says 257,000 more doses of the COVID-19 vaccines will be shipped to more than 350 providers in 94 Texas counties over the next week. Of the 257,000, 175,100 will be doses of the Moderna vaccine and 81,900 will be the Pfizer vaccine.
An additional 121,875 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will go to the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. Vaccinations under the program started in Texas on Monday and will serve staff and residents at more than 300 long-term-care facilities in the first week, according to the CDC.
The DSHS says its vaccine provider location map will be updated weekly after allocated doses have shipped to providers.
6 p.m. – Travis County reports 10 new coronavirus-related deaths for a total of 542. The county is also reporting 527 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 48,951.
5:45 p.m. – Hays County reports two new coronavirus-related deaths, a Buda man in his 70s and a Dripping Springs man in his 70s. The county has had a total of 124 COVID-19 deaths, 10,074 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases and at least 8,397 recoveries.
Williamson County is reporting four new coronavirus-related deaths, for a total of 198. WilCo has had 19,519 total confirmed cases with 18,501 recoveries.
5:40 p.m. – According to the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD), nearly 500 Phase 1A-eligible workers received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine during the first three days of the WCCHD vaccination clinic that started on Dec. 26.
Eligible staff from 18 fire and EMS departments, eight long-term care facilities not enrolled in a federal pharmacy program, five funeral homes, 17 home health care agencies and school nurses from 11 local school districts participated in the first round.
4:45 p.m. – Texas reports 12,841 new confirmed COVID-19 cases for a total of 1,490,479. The state is also reporting 49 new coronavirus-related deaths, for a total of 26,521. There are 11,351 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients currently in Texas hospitals, a record high. The state's previous record was 10,893 patients in July.
In the Austin area, there are 447 COVID-19 patients hospitalized. There are 741 available hospital beds and 35 available ICU beds, according to DSHS data.
3:03 p.m. – Capital Metro released the following statement in light of the news of the passage of the COVID-19 relief package:
"Capital Metro is continuously grateful for the support we’ve received from our delegation and congressional leaders, who have again ensured public transportation is included in the Coronavirus Relief Package. Capital Metro serves as a lifeline for our community, and this funding allows us to maintain the level of service people need to access essential services and jobs. It’s critical as an employer that we support our essential staff who are on the frontline every day. Federal funding ensures that we retain full staffing, service recognition payments to frontline staff, cover costs associated with sick leave, cover any vaccinations costs and provide additional PPE. Due to this unprecedented global pandemic, it's likely that we'll experience a slow recovery to reach pre-pandemic ridership and revenue. This funding will keep our budget on track, including our capital project commitments and most importantly of all—it allows us to take the best care of our community and staff.”
2:25 p.m. – Officials with City of Austin's Homeland Security and Emergency Management told KVUE it has 1,300 vaccinations this week for distribution. According to the City, they received the Moderna vaccine and are giving it not only to Austin Police but also firefighters and EMS personnel at the Austin Public Safety and Wellness Center.
According to AFD, more than 300 fire personnel received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, with many others slated to receive it throughout the week as part of the 1,300 doses allocated to public safety personnel.
1:22 p.m. – Austin's top doctor said if we continue to see an upward trend, "we are going to have further discussions about the possibility of a curfew now towards the end of this week to try to help mitigate that risk," Dr. Escott explained. "We don't have much capacity left in our hospitals."
11:29 a.m. – Austin and Travis County might run out of ICU and hospital beds in the next one to two weeks. During the 10 a.m. press conference, Dr. Mark Escott said, "right now, we're going to enter 2021 in a state of emergency."
"When I say a 'state of emergency,' I mean we will start 2021 with our hospitals full or nearly full. We're talking about the possibility of, within the first two weeks of 2021, further exceeding that capacity," he said.
10:50 a.m. – Austin Public Health wrapped up its weekly COVID-19 update. You can watch the full press conference in the video below.
8:30 a.m. - Austin Public Health will give a COVID-19 update at 10 a.m. just days after Christmas.
7:58 a.m. - All staffers with the Austin Police Department and people in long-term care facilities will receive the vaccine starting on Monday.
In Williamson County over the weekend, more than 100 staff from local fire departments and long-term care facilities got their first shots.
School nurses at Round Rock ISD also received their first dose of the vaccine.
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