AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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. 26 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.9 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 54,400 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Austin-Travis County: The 7-day moving average for new hospital admissions is 78, and an average of 640 people are hospitalized. The 7-day moving average for new cases is 474. Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 101,576 cases have been reported and at least 936 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 2,184 active cases, and 47 people are currently hospitalized (38 unvaccinated, 9 vaccinated). Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 24,675 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 307 people have died. At least 22,184 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: There are 203 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Eleven percent of hospital beds are available, and 1% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 50,857 cases have been reported and at least 532 people have died.
- Central Texas school districts:
- Austin ISD: As of 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 25, there are a total of 75 new COVID-19 cases (64 students, 11 employees) and a total of 807 new exposures (789 students, 21 employees).
- Round Rock ISD: As of Aug. 26, there are 46 new positive cases (43 students, 3 employees) and 335 new "close contacts" (314 students, 21 employees). There have been 299 total cumulative positive cases (246 students, 53 employees) and 3,125 total cumulative "close contacts" (2,571 students, 554 employees).
- Leander ISD: For the week of Aug. 23-27, there have been 237 total positive cases. There have been 488 total cumulative positive cases.
- Pflugerville ISD: For the week of Aug. 23-27, there have been 90 total positive cases. There have been 240 total cumulative positive cases.
- Hays CISD: For the week of Aug. 23-27, there have been 56 total reported new cases (23 students, 33 staff).
- Texas Public Schools (2021-22 school year)
- Cumulative positive student cases: 4,729
- Cumulative positive staff cases: 3,373
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here. KVUE is tracking COVID-19 data from five school districts in Central Texas. Many school districts have their own COVID-19 dashboard.
GRAPHS: GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Aug. 26, 2021
Updates:
1:30 p.m. – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the DSHS announce a new wave of medical deployment to the state of Texas to assist hospitals with COVID-19 response.
Officials said 2,500 staff members will deploy to hospitals and nursing homes, bringing the total number of medical personnel deployed to Texas to 8,100.
The DSHS will also provide medical equipment requested by Texas medical facilities, including ventilators, oxygen concentrators, heart monitors, IV pumps, feeding pumps and hospital beds.
"The medical personnel and equipment deployed by DSHS will provide crucial support to our health care facilities as they treat hospitalized cases of COVID-19," said Gov. Abbott. "Texans can do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and hospitalizations by getting the vaccine. It's safe, effective, and your best defense against COVID-19. Visit covidvaccine.texas.gov to find a vaccine provider near you."
1 p.m. – Austin's Bat Fest, scheduled for Aug. 28, has been canceled. Event organizers said that despite COVID-19 safety planning with City officials, their special event permit was denied. Read the event's full statement here.
6:15 a.m. – Marble Falls ISD announced that Highland Lakes Elementary in Granite Shoals will be closed today and tomorrow due to COVID-19. The school is expected to reopen on Monday, and district officials said in a letter to parents that all other campuses will "proceed as normal."
The closure comes after 29 students and staff tested positive for COVID-19. There are a total of 642 students and staff at the school which means that's 4.5% of the school's population. School started in Marble Falls ISD on Aug. 18.
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