AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Sunday'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 Dec. 26 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 1.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 26,200 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 48,208 cases have been reported and at least 531 people have died. At least 43,205 people have recovered from the virus. On Dec. 26, 415 new cases were reported in the county.
- Hays County: At least 9,175 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 122 people have died. At least 7,625 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 18,568 cases have been reported in the county and at least 194 people have died. At least 16,892 people have recovered from the virus.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Dec. 23
UPDATES:
11:07 p.m. – Travis County reached 119 ICU admissions on Saturday. According to Travis County Judge Andy Brown, the maximum capacity is 200.
"This is alarming," Brown tweeted Saturday. "To avoid reaching that crisis point, we must all do our part by wearing masks, watching our distance, and washing our hands."
9:47 p.m. – Multiple sources have confirmed to KVUE that Austin Police Chief Manley told the department in an email he tested positive for COVID-19 and has been in quarantine since Wednesday.
Chief Manley responded to the report Saturday evening, saying, "please keep the focus on all those on the front line-the doctors, nurses, firefighters, EMS techs, police officers, and all other essential workers...not on my diagnosis. Thank you."
6:39 p.m. – All Austin Police Department employees can begin to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, the department confirmed to KVUE on Saturday. APD told KVUE it would have more information available on Monday.
5:52 p.m. – Travis County reported 1,132 total new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, counting from Dec. 24 until Dec. 26. The county did not report cases over the holiday weekend. There were 461 cases reported for Dec. 24, 256 cases reported for Dec. 25 and 415 cases reported for Dec. 26. The county also reported three new deaths in that time span, as well.
3:57 p.m. – Williamson County-area first responders received the first round of COVID-19 vaccine Saturday, Dec. 26, as part of the 1A vaccine distribution group as designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), county officials announced.
Eligible staff from 15 local fire departments and four long-term care facilities that were not enrolled in the federal pharmacy program began receiving vaccines for a total of 121 doses given on the first day of the scheduled clinics.
12 p.m. – Starting at noon, El Arroyo in Downtown Austin will be handing out 1,250 family packs. These free meals are expected to feed up to 5,000 people in need.
8:40 p.m. – Williamson County and City Health Services are working with local fire departments to get first responders vaccinated.
Firefighters who engage in emergency services such as pre-hospital care are now eligible to get the coronavirus vaccine.
A clinic is open at Hutto High School starting this morning. The clinic is open between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. from today through Monday. It is not open to the public.
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