AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 Sept. 11 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 649,800 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 13,800 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 27,500 cases have been reported and at least 402 people have died. At least 26,508 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: More than 5,500 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 51 people have died. At least 3,633 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 8,100 cases have been reported in the county and at least 134 people have died. More than 7,933 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Sept. 11 coronavirus data
Updates:
6:05 p.m. – Williamson County reported another two deaths from COVID-19 on Friday along with 18 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 8,143 cases and 134 deaths. At least 7,933 people have recovered from the virus.
6 p.m. – Travis County reported 101 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total to 27,525 cases and 402 deaths. At least 26,508 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 97 people hospitalized from COVID-19, with 34 in the ICU and 23 on ventilators.
4:55 p.m. – Another staff member at the Giddings State School tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday night, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department said. The employee's last day on campus was Sept. 4. Since the start of the pandemic, 43 staff members at the facility have tested positive, as well as 89 youths.
4:50 p.m. – Hays County reported another 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday along with 31 additional recoveries. The total number of confirmed cases is 5,598 with 1,914 of those considered active. At least 3,633 people have recovered from the virus.
3:10 p.m. – Sunday marks six months since the first positive COVID-19 case was confirmed in Austin, and members of Austin Public Health (APH) have released videos reflecting on what they’ve learned.
The City said the past six months have been challenging, with 27,424 cases, 1,797 hospitalizations and 402 deaths across Travis County.
APH said it has dedicated more than 214,000 staff hours to combating COVID-19 in the community.
“The COVID-19 response did not just start with the first COVID-19 case reported on March 13,” APH said in a statement. “APH began responding in January, followed by the activation of the APH Department Operations Center on Feb. 5.”
While six months have passed since the first COVID-19 case in Austin-Travis County, our community still has a long way to go to return to normalcy, APH said.
“Our fight against COVID-19 continues as our knowledge about the virus grows every day,” the City said.
11:15 a.m. – The City of San Marcos announces that it is reopening on public facilities, riverfront parks, neighborhood park playgrounds, athletic complexes, tennis and basketball courts starting Sept. 16. The Children's Park Playscape will reopen on Sept. 19 due to tree work in the area. Capes Park, Thompson’s Island, and Rio Vista pool will remain closed.
“Over the past few weeks, our area has experienced a steady decline in active cases and a sustained low number of new cases with fewer hospitalizations, which are the indicators we tracked and based our opening decisions upon throughout this pandemic,” said City Manager Bert Lumbreras. “As we welcome the public back to enjoy our facilities, parks and beautiful river, we ask that the community remains diligent in following CDC guidelines, local and state mandated regulations and works together to continue to stop the spread of COVID.”
9:15 a.m. – Starting Sept. 12, Austin Parks and Recreation will reopen additional amenities, facilities and programs.
The following park amenities will be available:
- Barton Creek Spillway (aka "Barking Springs")
- Disc Golf Courses
- Neighborhood Tennis Courts
- Outdoor Adult Exercise Equipment
- Campsites (at Emma Long Metropolitan Park)
Additionally, the following facilities* are allowed to reopen:
- Sunshine Camp
- Girl Scout Cabin
*Each facility will operate under reduced capacity and COVID-19 Modified Operating Procedures specific to each facility, such as social distancing, cleaning protocols, and other requirements of the non-profit operators.
Finally, these PARD programs may resume:
- Permitted outdoor fitness instruction
- Approved small group (10 or less) activities (e.g. outdoor volunteer activities such as clean-ups and plantings)
More information on operations and closures can be found here.
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