Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Travis County reports 27 new confirmed cases of COVID-19

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates, check out our new live blog here.

KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, news in the Austin area.

Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's May 23 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

• Texas: More than 53,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 1,400 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The department estimates more than 32,200 people have recovered from the virus.
• Central Texas counties: 
  • Travis County: More than 2,700 cases have been reported and at least 83 people have died. More than 970 people have recovered from the virus.
  • Williamson County: More than 520 cases have been reported and at least 21 people have died. More than 290 people have recovered from the virus.
  • Hays County: There have been at least 270 cases reported in the county and at least three people have died. Around 158 people have recovered from the virus.

Top headlines:

• Inside the small Texas county with the most coronavirus cases per capita in the state
• 'They should be able to return to classrooms': Gov. Abbott on plans for schools in August
• Texas unemployment rate hits record high at 12.8%
• 42 caregivers, 25 children with confirmed COVID-19 cases across 60 licensed child care operations in Texas
• Bar hopping in Downtown Austin on the first night of reopening
• LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county

Updates:

6:20 p.m. – Travis County on Saturday reported 27 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,788. The number of deaths in the county remains at 83. At least 976 people have recovered from the virus.

RELATED: LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county

5:05 p.m. – The latest data from the Texas Department of State Health Services for May 23 show 26 new deaths were reported across the state on Saturday. Texas has now passed more than 1,500 coronavirus-related deaths.

There were no deaths among the 12 counties in the KVUE viewing area on Saturday, but there have been 111 since the beginning of the pandemic.

There were more than 1,000 new cases reported across the state on Saturday. But for the third day we remain below the 14-day moving average.

The postivity rate dropped but remains higher than 5%. That's the percentage of total test results that come back in a given day that are positive.

There are more than 54,000 cases and 1,500 deaths in Texas since the pandemic began.

2:35 p.m. – Hays County on Saturday reported four new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 270. Of those, 109 cases are active while at least 158 people have recovered from the virus. The county has received 3,173 negative tests and is awaiting results from 251 tests, many of which are from nursing homes. Six people in Hays County remain hospitalized with COVID-19.

1 p.m. – Arkansas Bend Park and Mansfield Dam Park close for the day due to a large number of visitors. Both will reopen Saturday with limited capacity.

12 p.m. – Milton Reimers Ranch Park closes for the day due to a large number of visitors. It will reopen Saturday with limited capacity.

10 a.m. – Pace Bend Park has been closed for the day due to a large number of park visitors. The park will reopen Sunday morning at 8 a.m. with limited capacity.

9 a.m. – Iconic Austin Brands – which includes Toy Joy, Wild About Music, Austin Rocks and Yummi Joy – launches ShopIconicAustin.com for customers who feel more comfortable shopping at home. The company said for customers looking to shop in-store, there will be a limited test run over the weekend at three locations, with safety precautions in place and face coverings required.

8:30 a.m. – The "Don't Mess With Texans" rally will be held outside the Texas State Capitol starting at 11:30 a.m. Organizers with the Texas Freedom Coalition say the rally is related to concerns about the state's economy and a desire to keep Texas "open and free."

8 a.m. – The City of Austin is partnering with Uber and the investment company Notley to offer free rides to those affected by COVID-19 who have essential transportation needs. The City has $120,000 to give to those who apply, and applications must be filled out online. The offer expires on June 30.

Major Updates From Friday, May 22:

• More Texas businesses have been allowed to reopen as of Friday, including bars, breweries and wine tasting rooms; bingo halls, bowling alleys and skating rinks; strip clubs; simulcast racing; rodeo and equestrian events; and aquariums and natural caverns. Restaurants are now allowed to operate at 50% capacity.
• The unemployment rate in Texas for the month of April hit 12.8%, the state's worst monthly tally on record. In the Austin area, the unemployment rate increased from 3.8% in March to 12.2% in April.
• Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order suspending in-person visits to all county and municipal jails across Texas to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

WATCH: Rural Texas hit hard by COVID-19

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

• Matthew McConaughey delivering masks to rural hospitals in Texas during COVID-19 pandemic
• State police union fears officers who die of coronavirus may not get benefits
• Bingo halls are back as Texas businesses reopen
• Defenders Q&A: Can you spread the COVID-19 by singing?
• Six Austin long-term care facilities declined COVID-19 strike team support, City memo says
• City urges social distancing as crowds gather along New Braunfels river
• Coronavirus in Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott suspends in-person visitations at county, municipal jails
• City opens first batch of 'Healthy Streets' to expand space for residents amid COVID-19 pandemic