Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Friday stat tracker

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Monday's blog.

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 daily live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

• Texas: 
  • More than 5.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 83,270 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Central Texas counties: 
  • Austin-Travis County: The seven-day moving average for new hospital admissions is 25, and an average of 240 people are hospitalized. The community transmission rate is 75.5 cases per 100,000 (substantial) and the positivity rate is 8.1%. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 198,889 cases have been reported and at least 1,350 people have died.
  • Hays County: There are currently 2,272 active cases, and 10 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 52,500 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 479 people have died. 
  • Williamson County: There are 40 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Seven percent of hospital beds are available, and 6% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 109,431 cases have been reported and at least 852 people have died.

For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.

Updates:

5:50 p.m. – Take a look at state and local COVID-19 numbers for Friday. 

TEXAS

• Cases:
  • 4,693 new cases Friday
    • New 7-day average: 3,839 new cases per day
    • Up 23% from yesterday 
    • Down 46% from one week ago
    • Down 91% from one month ago
• Deaths:
  • 150 new COVID-19 deaths reported Friday
  • 83,271 deaths in Texas throughout pandemic
• Hospitalizations:
  • 4,211 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals
    • Down 6% day-to-day
    • Down 31% from one week ago
    • Down 68% from one month ago

LOCAL

• 290 COVID-19 patients in hospitals in TSA-O
  • Down 24 day-to-day

1 p.m. – Austin Public Health announces a new vaccine outreach program, moving away from mass vaccination events as the area re-enters Stage 4.

RELATED: Austin Public Health announces new vaccine outreach program

6 a.m. – Citing new metrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to say Friday that most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks indoors. Under current guidelines, masks are recommended for people residing in communities of substantial or high transmission – roughly 95% of U.S. counties, according to the latest data. Learn more.

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OTHER COVID-19 HEADLINES:

• CDC to drop most indoor mask recommendations Friday: AP sources
• Austin-Travis County moves to Stage 4 of COVID-19 risk-based guidelines
• Getting COVID-19 vaccine toward end of pregnancy gives a bigger boost of antibodies to babies, doctor says
• When does COVID-19 go from pandemic to endemic? There’s no statistical cut-off