AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 Oct. 20 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 3.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 68,000 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 for new hospital admissions is 18, and an average of 188 people are hospitalized. The seven-day moving average for new cases is 123. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 118,671 cases have been reported and at least 1,143 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 557 active cases, and 17 people are currently hospitalized (13 unvaccinated, four vaccinated). Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 29,356 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 387 people have died.
- Williamson County: There are 125 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Nineteen percent of hospital beds are available, and 11% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 64,500 cases have been reported and at least 690 people have died.
- Central Texas school districts:
- Austin ISD: As of Oct. 19, there are a total of 15 new COVID-19 cases (15 students) and a total of 50 new exposures (37 students, 2 employees, 11 others). Since Aug. 16, there have been 1,285 cumulative positive cases (1,051 students, 213 employees, 21 others) and 7,387 cumulative exposures (7,257 students, 108 employees, 22 others).
- Round Rock ISD: As of Oct. 20, there are 7 new positive cases (7 students, zero employees) and 55 new "close contacts" (50 students, 5 employees). There have been 1,676 total cumulative positive cases (1,468 students, 208 employees) and 14,628 total cumulative "close contacts" (13,502 students, 1,126 employees).
- Leander ISD: For the week of Oct. 17-Oct. 22, there have been 37 total positive cases. There have been 1,576 total cumulative positive cases.
- Pflugerville ISD: For the week of Oct. 18-Oct. 22, there have been 18 total positive cases. There have been 1,043 total cumulative positive cases.
- Hays CISD: As of Oct. 20, there are 63 active student cases and 8 active staff cases. There have been a total of 889 cumulative student cases and 145 cumulative staff cases.
- Texas Public Schools (2021-22 school year; updated on Fridays with data from the previous Monday-Sunday)
- Cumulative positive student cases: 193,012, up from 177,176 on Oct. 3
- Cumulative positive staff cases: 35,127, up from 32,285 on Oct. 3
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: Coronavirus data, Oct. 19, 2021
Updates:
5:15 p.m. – Hays County reported one more COVID-19 death on Wednesday, a Wimberley man in his 50s. Health officials also reported 37 new confirmed cases along with one new hospitalization and two new hospital discharges. There are 60 additional people considered recovered.
4:25 p.m. – Travis County reported seven more COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday along with 107 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 118,671 cases and 1,143 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 116,194 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 175 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 73 in the ICU and 42 on ventilators.
3:15 p.m. – Austin Public Health (APH) is hosting a “Moving Forward Together Against COVID-19” event. The two virtual engagement meetings will collect public feedback on participants’ vaccination experiences with a focus on those who may have been disproportionately impacted by the virus.
The virtual session will be offered twice - once during the week and alternatively on the weekend. To join the conversation, log on using Zoom or through the SpeakUp Austin! website, which includes access to the Zoom meetings:
- Monday, Oct. 25 from 6:30-8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 30 from 10-11:30 a.m.
For additional information and updates about COVID-19 vaccines, visit www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19-Vaccines.
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