AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates, check out our new 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 Aug. 12 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 500,600 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 8,700 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 23,200 cases have been reported and at least 303 people have died. At least 21,800 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: More than 5,000 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 35 people have died. At least 2,295 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 7,000 cases have been reported in the county and at least 95 people have died. More than 5,600 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Aug. 12
Updates:
5:55 p.m. – Austin-Travis County health officials report six new deaths and 172 more cases. A total of 23,421 cases, 22,069 recoveries and 313 deaths have now been reported.
5:20 p.m. – Williamson County reports three new COVID-related fatalities. The county is now reporting a total of 7,075 cases, 5,689 recoveries and 98 deaths.
5:15 p.m. – Hays County reports two new COVID-related fatalities, a man in his 70s and a man in his 80s. Additionally, 17 more cases, one new hospitalization and two more hospital discharges were reported. There has now been a total of 5,083 cases and 37 deaths.
4:30 p.m. – Texas is reporting 6,200 new cases, bringing the total number of cases reported to 506,820. The weekly average of new cases is down 19% from a week ago.
The state health department is also reporting 324 new deaths, taking the state past the 9,000 mark to a total of 9,034 coronavirus deaths. And there are currently 7,028 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Texas, the fewest since July 1. The weekly average for hospitalizations is down 14% from a week ago.
12:20 p.m. – Effective Thursday at 5 p.m., Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell signed an executive order permitting residents to have outdoor gatherings with more than 10 people in the unincorporated parts of the county, provided they comply with Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order GA-28.
“I trust that the residents of Williamson County understand the seriousness of COVID-19 and know the precautions that are necessary to protect their health. If we continue to use mitigation measures, such as wearing face coverings and washing our hands often, we can safely be able to participate in life events. These gatherings will not be as they once were, but we need to celebrate weddings, and unfortunately, we need to be able to bury family members with the support of our family around us,” said County Judge Bill Gravell.
11:11 a.m. – The Big 12 Conference commissioner officially announced Wednesday that the fall 2020 football season will go ahead. Here's how that will look.
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