AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Thursday'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 July 28 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.6 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 51,800 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 45, and an average of 257 people are hospitalized. The seven-day moving average for new cases is 273. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 88,436 cases have been reported and at least 898 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 915 active cases and 29 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 20,312 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 268 people have died. At least 19,129 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: There are 313 new cases, and 13% of hospital beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 42,327 cases have been reported in the county and at least 491 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data July 28, 2021
Updates:
5:55 p.m. – Travis County reported anther death from COVID-19 on Wednesday along with 490 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 88,436 cases and 898 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 85,387 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 314 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 106 in the ICU and 58 on ventilators.
5:50 p.m. – Hays County reported two COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, a woman from Buda in her 60s and an 18-year-old woman from San Marcos. The County also reported 256 new confirmed cases, along with five new hospitalizations and seven new hospital discharges. There are 54 additional people considered recovered.
5 p.m. – Austin-Travis County is up to an average of 45 COVID-19 hospital admissions per day over the past seven days, with 66 on Tuesday.
3 p.m. – The San Antonio Spurs have partnered with Travis County to host a vaccine clinic during their NBA watch party in Austin on Thursday, July 29, at Armadillo Den.
The Travis County Fire Department will be on-site to help administer the vaccines. Spurs sunglasses will be given out to anyone who receives the vaccine.
Vaccine clinic details
- Armadillo Den, 10106 Menchaca Road, Austin, Texas 78748
- Thursday, July 29, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines available
NBA Draft Watch Party Presented by AT&T
- Starts at 7 p.m. at Armadillo Den
- Spurs have the 12th pick in the first round and the 41st overall selection in the second round
- Special appearance by DJ DMoney, Spurs Austin Fiesta photo op, games, prizes and giveaways
- The official Spurs draft hat, other merchandise items and Michelob Ultra drink specials
- Post-watch party entertainment featuring Armadillo Den’s live music
- Fans are encouraged to wear masks when indoors
- For more information and to RSVP for the draft watch party, visit spurs.com/draft
2:50 p.m. – Austin Emergency Center said it has a new East Riverside location available for residents to access COVID-19 PCR testing. It said results are available within 24 hours, some within hours depending on volume. The location is at 2020 E. Riverside Drive and can be reached at 737-717-4100.
1:50 p.m. – Here's a closer look at today's data:
TEXAS
- Texas added more than 10,000 (10,086) new cases today for the first time since Feb. 9
- 7-day average up to 5,267/day over the past week:
- Up 96% from a week ago
- Up 582% from a month ago
- Testing is up 36% from a week ago
- 84,000 tests/day as of yesterday
- 7-day average up to 5,267/day over the past week:
- 59 new deaths, 51,949 total to date
- 5,292 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals is the most since March 2 and:
- Up 48% from a week ago
- Up 270% from a month ago
- Positivity is over 15%
LOCAL
- 648 new cases in the Austin metro (Travis/WilCo/Hays/Bastrop combined) in the DSHS data
- 7-day average is up to 482/day over the past week:
- Up 96% from a week ago
- Up 682% from a month ago
- 7-day average is up to 482/day over the past week:
- 342 (+23) COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) hospitals, most since Feb. 24 (all-time peak is 727)
- 13% beds available
- 7.5% C-19/capacity
- 129 (+7) COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) ICUs, most since Feb. 24 (all-time peak is 233)
- 4% beds available, only 31 available beds yesterday – ties last Thursday for third-lowest bed availability on record
- 18% COVID-19/capacity
12:15 p.m. – The Texas Department of State Health Services announced it will award $10 million to local organizations working to promote COVID-19 vaccinations. The grants of $50,000 to $150,000 will be provided through the Texas Vaccine Outreach and Education Grant program.
The DSHS is encouraging educational agencies, faith-based organizations, government entities, community coalitions, associations and nonprofits to apply for the funds, which will be awarded for projects lasting from six to nine months. The DSHS is partnering with the Texas A&M University Health Science Center to administer the grant program.
Organizations can submit proposals beginning today with award notifications expected to begin around the end of August. Priority will be given to applicants that focus on reaching rural communities, communities of color and Texans with disabilities. Learn more.
6:30 a.m. – Anyone in the Austin ISD community who is 12 years old or older – including family members – can get a dose of the Pfizer vaccine from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rodriguez Elementary School on Franklin Park Drive.
6 a.m. – If you need a COVID-19 vaccine, there's now an easier way to find clinics in Travis County. On Tuesday, the County launched a calendar and map showing a complete list of vaccine distribution events in local neighborhoods. No appointments are necessary.
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