AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.
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 June 26 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 130,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 2,200 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. More than 3,200 people are hospitalized across the state. An estimated 74,496 people have recovered.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 7,000 cases have been reported and at least 116 people have died. At least 5,076 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: Over 2,400 confirmed cases have been reported and at least five people have died. At least 418 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 1,700 cases have been reported in the county and at least 32 people have died. More than 750 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Texas coronavirus data June 26
Top headlines:
- Bars must close at noon today, restaurants to reduce to 50%, outdoor gatherings limited: Gov. Abbott
- All Texas tubing, rafting businesses must shut down again under Gov. Abbott's new order
- 'Pongfest' party in Lakeway leaves large number of high school students exposed to COVID-19
- Abbott: Texas facing 'massive outbreak' as state sets another record for new cases in a single day
- As COVID-19 cases rise in Austin area, health leaders warn hospitals could reach capacity by mid-July
- Texas Education Agency releases new guidelines for attendance, remote learning, personal protective equipment
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
- Here's when, where Central Texas Food Bank will distribute emergency food kits
Latest updates:
6:30 p.m. – The Austin-Travis County order prohibiting outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people has been revised in accordance with the governor's most recent orders rolling back on the state's reopening. The revision also clarified that it only applies to those ages 10 years and older
The ban does not apply to places such as swimming pools, zoos, museums, etc., so long as they are operating at no more than 50% capacity.
5:36 p.m. – The Texas Juvenile Justice Department provided the following updates related to COVID-19:
- One staff member at Karyn’s House, a halfway house for girls in Willis, tested positive this morning. This marks the second case at this halfway house.
- One Youth Development Coach at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, in Edinburg, tested positive for COVID-19.
- One clerk at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member had limited — if any — contact with youth, TJJD said.
- The youth who have tested positive for COVID-19 all remain on campus for treatment.
- As of June 26, TJJD has administered a total of 216 COVID-19 tests to youth.
5:25 p.m. – Amid the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra modified his order No. 4 that went into effect June 22. That order, among other provisions, required people to wear masks or face coverings in public places and is in place until July 20. The amended order will now also prohibit outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people in the unincorporated areas of Hays County, unless otherwise permitted by recent governor's orders.
5:20 p.m. – Due to the concerning increase in COVID-19 cases, the office of Williamson County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 will be open to the public on Wednesdays only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 512-943-1501.
5:15 p.m. – Hays County reported 140 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, as well as three people released from the hospital and one new recovery.
The county has had 2,415 total confirmed cases, with 1,992 cases still active. There are currently 20 people hospitalized from the virus in Hays County, while at least 418 people have recovered.
4:40 p.m. – Williamson County has reported three more deaths due to COVID-19. According to county officials, the three victims were a male in his 70s, a female in her 80s and another female who was 100 years old. The county's coronavirus death toll is 35 as of June 26.
For more information about Williamson County's COVID-19 updates, click here, or visit the county's website.
2:40 p.m. – City of Taylor Mayor Brandt Rydell will issue an executive order canceling several upcoming events in the city, including the Independence Day vehicle parade and fireworks show. The order will also prohibit all large gatherings and require safety measures for any smaller gatherings in public spaces in the City of Taylor until further notice.
The order goes into effect at midnight Saturday. The City will also close all parks and open spaces in public parks July 4-5. Trails and sidewalks will remain open for walking and running purposes but people will not be permitted to gather in parks, open spaces or facilities. The parks and open spaces will close at 12 a.m. on July 4 and will re-open at 4 a.m. on July 6. Park facilities will remain closed after the holiday weekend.
“In many ways this was a difficult decision, because we know that everyone wants to celebrate Independence Day the way we always have — by gathering in public places with a lot of people — and it will be disappointing to not to celebrate that way this year,” said the mayor. “But when health experts tell us that COVID-19 is spreading in our community, and the best way to protect people from the virus is to minimize contact with other people, the decision is easy: we have to do what is best for the health and safety of our community. And right now, that means canceling large gatherings and doing everything we can to encourage people to practice social distancing.”
All large gatherings of more than 100 people in the city will be prohibited until further notice. Any planned gatherings with fewer than 100 people will need to include safety measures, including the wearing of masks and social distancing, and organizers must submit a plan in writing to City officials before planning such gatherings
1:05 p.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the federal government has granted his request to extend operations of Community Based Testing Sites across Texas. The federal government will maintain support for the program while surging resources to Dallas and Houston in order to support testing needs within the community.
1 p.m. – The Threadgill's memorabilia auction scheduled for Saturday morning has been postponed.
12:25 p.m. – Under Gov. Abbott's new orders, tubing and rafting establishments across Texas must also shut down.
12:05 p.m. – The City of Pflugerville is closing all amenities at Lake Pflugerville Park, except the trail and parking lots on the south and west sides of the park. This starts at noon Friday. The City asks that residents practice social distancing on the trail and properly dispose of trash.
11:50 a.m. – Vice President Mike Pence announced he is visiting Texas amid the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state. He said he has not received requests from governors asking for PPE, including "states in the South." He said the task force is "ready at a moment's notice to help."
9 a.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order that closes bars and similar establishments due to the positivity rate increasing above 10% in Texas. Bars must close at noon Friday, but the order states that these businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
The capacity at restaurants may not exceed 50%, the governor's order states.
Additionally, rafting and tubing businesses must close and outdoor gatherings of 100 people or more must be approved by local governments.
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