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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Austin-area ICUs hit pandemic high for COVID-19 patients

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates in Central Texas for Thursday, Aug. 12.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Friday'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 Aug. 12 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 2.7 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 52,700 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 of new admissions is 83, and an average of 608 people are hospitalized. The seven-day moving average for new cases is 358. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 94,400 cases have been reported and at least 912 people have died. 
    • Hays County: There are currently 2,129 active cases and 46 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 22,510 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 288 people have died. At least 20,093 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Williamson County: There are 297 new cases, and 11% of hospital beds are available and 2% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 46,795 cases have been reported in the county and at least 504 people have died.

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

Updates:

1:30 p.m. – According to Texas DSHS data, there are currently 239 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area ICUs, a new pandemic high surpassing the 233 that was hit twice in January. The DSHS tracks these stats by regions known as Trauma Service Areas (TSA). Austin is in TSA O, which is made up of 11 counties.

There are 675 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area hospitals, still shy of the 727 peak in January. Forty-eight percent of all Austin-area ICU capacity is COVID-19 patients and 15.8% of all hospital capacity is COVID-19 patients.

7:20 a.m. – The Austin ISD board is expected to meet at 5:30 p.m. to discuss COVID-19. Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Chief of Schools Dr. Anthony Mays and Director of Health Services Alexandra Copeland will update members on safety measures for campuses.

7 a.m. – More people are flying out of Austin's airport, but we're still shy of pre-pandemic levels. The latest numbers show 1.3 million people flew out of the airport in June, a 370% increase from 2020 but about 70,000 shy of 2019 numbers.

Southwest and American Airlines led the way for passenger growth.

WATCH: Back to school: The best options for children's masks

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