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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 July 22 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 341,700 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 4,100 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. More than 186,500 people have recovered.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 18,600 cases have been reported and at least 222 people have died. At least 15,458 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: Over 4,000 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 21 people have died. At least 930 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 4,900 cases have been reported in the county and at least 77 people have died. More than 3,900 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data July 22
Top headlines:
- Number of new COVID-19 cases in Austin area are on a 'downward trend,' Dr. Escott says
- UIL releases updated schedule for 2020 fall sports in Texas
- Rare outbreak of COVID-19 among infants has South Texas health officials concerned
- TEA gives direction if someone tests positive for COVID-19 during on-campus learning
- LIST: What local school districts are planning for back-to-school
- 'These next two weeks are important' | Austin Mayor Steve Adler discusses COVID-19, public hearings on budget
Updates:
6:50 p.m. – Austin Bold FC announces the postponement of its matches against FC Tulsa on Thursday at Bold Stadium and against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Sunday.
The postponement comes out of an abundance of caution after one of Austin Bold FC’s covered persons tested positive for COVID-19 as part of weekly routine testing. Both matches will be rescheduled to a later date.
6:15 p.m. – Travis County reported another four deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, as well as 302 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 18,696 cases and 222 deaths. At least 15,458 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 453 people hospitalized from the virus, with 160 in the ICU and 111 on ventilators.
6:00 p.m. – The Texas Juvenile Justice Department provided the following updates related to COVID-19:
- The Giddings State School is reporting only five active cases: four youth and one staff. Since the start of the pandemic, Giddings has had 75 total youth cases, the highest of any TJJD facility.
- Two youth at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex, in Brownwood, tested positive for COVID-19 July 22.
- One youth at a TJJD halfway house tested positive for COVID-19 July 22. To date, 17 youth at halfway houses have tested positive for COVID-19.
- One youth development coach and one staff member at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, in Edinburg, tested positive for COVID-19 on July 22.
5 p.m. – Hays County reports one new coronavirus-related death, a man in his 50s from Kyle. Hays County has had a total of 4,045 lab-confirmed cases, 3,024 of which are still active. Twenty-two people have died from the virus in the county.
4:45 p.m. – Williamson County reports two coronavirus-related deaths, bringing total to 79. The victims are two females in their 70s.
3:51 p.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the State will allocate an additional $118 million in federal funding to support higher education in Texas, including $93 million to help students continue or restart their progress toward earning a post-secondary credential or degree.
The funding announced July 22 follows the $57 million that Gov. Abbott and legislative leaders recently allocated to offset potential cuts to state financial aid programs. This combined investment to post-secondary students and institutions, totaling $175 million, comes from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law by President Trump.
The funding announced July 22 includes:
- $46.5 million in targeted financial aid for upskilling and reskilling displaced workers in high-demand fields, including workers who have earned some college credit but no credential, allowing new paths into the workforce with higher earning potential.
- $46.5 million in emergency student support so students whose families have been severely financially impacted by COVID-19 can stay enrolled in higher education.
- $15 million for strategic education and workforce data infrastructure to provide timely, actionable intelligence to students, institutions, employers, and policymakers; scale and expand existing technologies and tools that support college and career advising; and help students stay on track to earn high-value credentials.
- $10 million to improve the quality of online learning by strengthening distance education course offerings and bolstering institutions’ capabilities to use data to support student success. This will include funds to develop Open Educational Resource course materials that significantly reduce costs to students.
2:06 p.m. – Last week, the Health Authority for Austin-Travis County issued emergency rules, which included requirements for local child care programs.
The emergency rules apply to child care programs that serve children birth through age 5. The emergency rules are separate from the health authority order for in-person school campus instruction issued on July 14, which applies to public and private schools and school districts.
The emergency rules require child care programs to:
Report any lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among children or staff to Austin Public Health (APH);
Follow the steps provided by APH regarding suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19; and
Comply with safety guidelines in the “City of Austin Guidance for Open Child Care Programs"
The City guidelines also specify that:
Staff and children over the age of 10 in child care programs must wear fabric face coverings;
Entry should be denied to individuals with a temperature greater than 99.6°F; and
Child care programs must implement a health and safety plan that details measures being taken to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 that is available to staff and parents.
APH continues to encourage employers to support employees whose child care has been disrupted due to COVID-19 by allowing home-based work when possible; offering flexible work options and paid family leave; and providing employees information about ConnectATX.org and 2-1-1 if they need assistance with rent, utilities, or other resources.
12:30 p.m. – Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe issues an order extending the prohibition of eviction proceedings to Sept. 30 unless terminated or modified by a subsequent order. To view the order, click here.
RELATED:
10:30 a.m. – Austin Public Health hosts a live COVID-19 Q&A to give an update regarding coronavirus in the Austin area.
Health leaders said Austin is seeing a plateau of cases and hospitalizations, but now is not a time for locals to begin letting their guard down. The community still needs to remain vigilant, practice social distancing, avoid non-essential outings and to wear face coverings.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- 'Pitch Perfect' star says she got COVID-19 after relaxing on mask use just one time
- Demand for nurses still high despite a plateau of COVID-19 cases
- Gov. Abbott adviser: Hospital capacity 'incredibly well,' but in need of testing reagents
- Travis County coronavirus cases reach 18,394, 218 deaths
- Social distancing, masks and business bankruptcies: We just hit 6 months of coronavirus in US
- Hays County reports 3,044 active COVID-19 cases, 21 deaths
- Coronavirus: Williamson County confirms 4,981 cases, 77 deaths
- Next virus aid package could easily swell past $1 trillion