AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 Nov. 10 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 963,200 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 18,700 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 33,559 cases have been reported and at least 461 people have died. At least 31,710 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 6,486 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 91 people have died. At least 5,983 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 9,848 cases have been reported in the county and at least 158 people have died. At least 9,440 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Texas coronavirus data Nov. 10
Updates:
9:40 p.m. – The City of Buda's 12th Annual Trail of Lights will be a drive-thru event this year. The route begins on Hawk Lane at the entrance to the Stagecoach Park and Visitor's Center and winds its way around to Loop Street, where motorists will ext back onto Main Street. Buda PD will be on-hand to direct traffic.
6:15 p.m. – There were 469 new COVID-19 cases reported in the Austin metro area on Tuesday, the most since Aug. 19. The seven-day case average is up to 245 per day, an increase of 61% from a week ago.
The positivity rate average for the Austin metro area is at 3.36%, while the daily hospital admissions average is at 25.7 per day over the past seven days. There have now been 860 deaths from COVID-19 in the Central Texas KVUE viewing area since the start of the pandemic.
6 p.m. – Travis County reported another four deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday along with 177 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 33,559 cases and 461 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 31, 710 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 145 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 51 in the ICU and 25 on ventilators.
5:50 p.m. – Hays County reported 73 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, one new hospitalization and 66 additional people now considered recovered.
4:50 p.m. – Texas is reporting 10,865 new COVID-19 cases, the most ever for a single-day period. The state's seven-day average is also the highest it's been since Aug. 7 and is up 32% from a week ago and 123% from a month ago.
4:40 p.m. – Del Valle ISD announces Baty Elementary School and Del Valle High School will be moved to 100% remote instructive until after the Thanksgiving break. The move is effective Thursday and on-campus instruction will resume at these schools on Nov. 30.
All other DVISD schools will continue the current hybrid model of on-campus and remote instruction.
4 p.m. – The Austin-Travis County health authority has extended the existing emergency rules for health and safety in the fight against COVID-19. The rules, available to view here, are now extended through Dec. 31.
"Yesterday, we reported the highest number of new cases since September. We are up over 140% in a little over a month, and 60% in the past week," Dr. Mark Escott said. "A significantly worsening situation here in Travis County from COVID-19 transmission."
These emergency rules are separate from City and County orders.
3:15 p.m. – On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans to prepare to swiftly distribute treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 when they become available. He said the Department of State Health Services has already developed a vaccine distribution plan and is working with health care providers. More than 2,500 providers have already enrolled in the program, the governor said.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) will assist in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, Abbott said. In late October, TDEM hosted the State of Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Tabletop Exercise with more than 1,000 local, state, federal and non-governmental organizations to test the state’s vaccine support plan.
3:10 p.m. – Manor ISD reported two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, a student at Manor High School and a staff member at the Manor ISD Central Office building. Anyone who came in close contact with the student has been asked to quarantine through Nov. 29, while anyone who came in contact with the staff member has been asked to quarantine through Nov. 21.
Classrooms and areas where the individuals spent their day were closed and sanitized, the school district said.
2:30 p.m. – Interim Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe said Travis County will not reopen bars during the remainder of his tenure, which will end on Nov. 17.
Biscoe said in a statement on Tuesday: "Based on the most recent memo from Dr. Mark Escott, cases of COVID-19 are steadily increasing throughout our community. Since Oct. 4, the moving average of new hospital admissions has doubled. Because of this increased risk, I will not be authorizing bars to reopen during the remainder of my tenure as Interim Travis County Judge, which will end on Nov. 17, 2020. Earlier this year, Travis County residents were successful in flattening the curve by practicing the proven safety measures recommended to us by our health experts. I am confident this community can repeat its success and move us to a place where we can safely reopen our bars."
1:37 p.m. – The Texas Nurses Association issued a statement Tuesday imploring local and state officials to stand up for their constituents and protect public health by promoting masks. The group said it urges every resident of Texas to wear masks and practice physical distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“Wearing masks and distancing is the best defense we have against this virus. We need our elected officials to help the public understand how their actions affect everyone in the state," said Dr. Cindy Zolnierek, chief executive officer of Texas Nurses Association. "Not wearing a mask means directly putting others, including nurses, at risk.”
1:15 p.m. – The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with Hill Country Community Ministries to join three other nonprofits in providing rent and utility assistance to residents in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Terms of agreement for the assistance through the Wilco Forward Phase III program are already in place with The Caring Place, The Salvation Army and the Round Rock Serving Center. Hill Country Ministries will service Cedar Park, Leander and all areas on the west side of Williamson County in coordination with the Salvation Army.
These agencies will be reimbursed by the County for rent assistance and/or utility assistance provided to residents across Williamson County between March 1 through Dec. 30, for a total of up to $5 million from federal CARES Act funds, Williamson County said on Tuesday. The County will monitor the total amount of funds spent to date so the Phase III budget is not exceeded.
Each agency will handle the application and vetting process in their service areas, along with the issuing of the checks directly to the landlord, property management company, or utility company.
11:33 a.m. – Austin ISD announced Tuesday that the district would start rapid testing for its on-campus students and staff starting Wednesday, Nov. 11.
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