AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Wednesday'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 4.7 million cases have been reported in the state, and around 76,100 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 121, and an average of 520 people are hospitalized. The community transmission rate is 1,896 and the positivity rate is 31.1%. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 147,773 cases have been reported and at least 1,227 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 5,890 active cases, and 33 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 41,108 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 427 people have died.
- Williamson County: There are 833 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Fifteen percent of hospital beds are available, and 5% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 91,469 cases have been reported and at least 770 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: COVID-19 data for Jan. 18, 2022
Updates:
6:23 p.m. – Jarrell ISD has announced that it's closing campuses for the remainder of the week.
2:45 p.m. – The Texas Department of State Health Services updated its COVID-19 data:
TEXAS
- 44,610 new cases
- 7-day average: 52,397 per day … three straight days over 50,000, but down slightly day-to-day
- Down 0.6% from yesterday
- Up 28% from a week ago
- Up 1,033% from a month ago
- 7-day average: 52,397 per day … three straight days over 50,000, but down slightly day-to-day
- 123 new deaths
- 76,123 total to date
- 12,344 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals
- Up 0.5% from yesterday
- Up 12% from a week ago
- Up 304% from a month ago
- ICU, pediatrics and patients on ventilators all down day-to-day
- 33.78% positivity statewide
LOCAL
- 3,442 new cases for the 4-county Austin metro (Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop)
- 7-day average: 3,720 per day
- Up 2% from yesterday
- Up 7% from a week ago
- Up 998% from a month ago
- 7-day average: 3,720 per day
- Community transmission rate has bounced back up to 1,775.97 cases per 100,000 population in the past week (reminder, “high” is considered 100 or more)
- Hospital admissions average up to a new pandemic high of 120.7 per day over the past week for the Austin metro
- 704 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) hospitals
- Up 52 day-to-day (Up 2 ICU, Up 3 pediatric … the rest are general adults)
- 14% bed availability
- 16.83% COVID/capacity
- We are approaching the January 2021 peak (727), and slightly less-so the Delta surge peak from Aug. 2021 (781)
- 157 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) ICUs
- Up 2 day-to-day
- 7% bed availability (23 adult, 9 pediatric = 32 total beds)
- 33% COVID/capacity
- Still well below Delta surge peak of 276, and January’s 233
6 a.m. – "Proactive Community Testing" will be available for healthy University of Texas students, faculty and staff this week. Healthy Horns said those individuals can book a quick and easy asymptomatic test. Testing will be available Tuesday through Friday at these locations:
- Student Services Building - G1.406 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. (by appointment)
- Proactive Testing Jester - Speedway and 21st Street from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. (by appointment)
- Texas Union - Eastwood Room 2.102 from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (walk-up)
OTHER COVID-19 HEADLINES: