TEXAS, USA — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest COVID-19 updates, click 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 Feb. 2 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 36,300 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 70,089 cases have been reported and at least 672 people have died. At least 64,273 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 15,113 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 192 people have died. At least 12,351 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 32,565 cases have been reported in the county and at least 324 people have died. At least 30,605 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 Feb. 2
Updates:
6:40 p.m. – Travis County reported 681 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to 70,089 cases and 672 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 64,273 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 504 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 147 in the ICU and 102 on ventilators. There are 47 people being treated at the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.
6 p.m. – Two more staff members at the Giddings State School tested positive for COVID-19 this morning. Since the start of the pandemic, 107 youth and 89 staff have tested positive.
5 p.m. – The Hays County Local Health Department reports two COVID-related fatalities, a San Marcos man in his 50s and a San Marcos man in his 60s. The department also reports 104 new lab-confirmed cases along with two new hospitalizations and seven new hospital discharges. There are 77 additional persons considered recovered. The total number of persons considered recovered is 12,351.
4:10 p.m. – Around 8.5% of all Texans 16 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (1,998,528 people), while 526,576 Texans are fully vaccinated. Texas has used 68% of the doses the state has been shipped. In Central Texas, Blanco County leads, with 15% of the 16+ population vaccinated with at least one dose, while Gillespie County is at 11%. Bastrop has the lowest vaccination rate so far, with 3.95%. Burnet, Caldwell, Lee and Llano counties are all also under 5%.
3 p.m. – The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has released the criteria for monoclonal antibody infusion. The TDEM said if you became sick with COVID-19 within the last 10 days and are high-risk, you could be eligible for the FDA Emergency Use Authorization for high-risk patients for a monoclonal antibody infusion.
The TDEM said people that meet the high-risk criteria can get a referral from their primary care physician for the Austin Regional Infusion Center. If you don't have insurance but meet the criteria, you can call 512-861-3630 anytime from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. to receive screening for a referral.
The criteria are defined as at least one of the following:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more
- Have chronic kidney disease, diabetes, immunosuppressive disease or are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
- Are 65 years old or older
- Are 55 years old or older and have one of the following: cardiovascular disease, hypertension or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease
- Are 12 to 17 years old and have: a BMI equal to or greater than the 85th percentile for their age or gender; have sickle cell disease, congenital or acquired heart disease or neurodevelopmental disorders (such as cerebral palsy); have a medical-related technical dependence (such as tracheostomy, gastronomy or non-coronavirus-related positive pressure ventilation); or have asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control.
11:55 a.m. – CVS Health will begin to administer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible populations on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 70 CVS Pharmacy locations across Texas.
For CVS Pharmacy locations that will begin to offer COVID-19 vaccinations on Feb. 11, appointments will become available for booking as early as Feb. 9 as stores receive shipments of vaccine.
Supply for the limited rollout in the state – which is sourced directly from the federal pharmacy partnership program – will be approximately 38,000 total doses. Participating CVS Pharmacies are in communities throughout Texas, including Abilene, Amarillo, Beaumont, Brownsville, El Paso, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, Midland, Plano, San Antonio and Waco. As more supply becomes available the company will expand to more locations and offer additional appointments.
11:25 a.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide approximately $300 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for February as the State continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are grateful for this additional extension of emergency SNAP benefits for the month of February," said Gov. Abbott. "We will continue to provide Texas families with the resources they need to put food on the table and provide for their loved ones."
Recipients will also continue to receive a 15% increase in their total benefits, which will continue monthly until June 2021.
11 a.m. – Eanes ISD will offer free COVID-19 testing for staff and students Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the EISD Adult Transition Services Building located at 1040 Walsh Tarlton Lane. Individuals do not have to be symptomatic or a close contact to test on this day. Registration is required: www.eanesisd.net/covidtesting.
Austin ISD will also be offering rapid tests on Feb. 4 and Feb. 11. Tests are available to all students and staff, including those who learn and work remotely.
9 a.m. – Leaders in Austin and Travis County are getting an update on the state of the coronavirus pandemic Feb. 2. Austin Public Health expanded more on its vaccine eligibility determinations and discussed its new call center for assisting elderly patients.
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