AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Saturday's blog.
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 10 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 230,300 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 2,900 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. More than 118,300 people have recovered.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 14,300 cases have been reported and at least 166 people have died. At least 10,792 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: Over 3,500 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 11 people have died. At least 655 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 3,600 cases have been reported in the county and at least 51 people have died. More than 970 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Texas coronavirus data July 10
Top headlines:
- Austin health leaders not likely to move to Stage 5 Thursday, but warn city is on the cusp
- What would entering Stage 5 mean?
- Where to get a COVID-19 test in the Austin area
- The riskiest activities for COVID-19, according to experts
- Austin Mayor Steve Adler would consider shutting down nonessential businesses as 'last resort'
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
Latest updates:
6:10 p.m. – Travis County reported another seven deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, as well as 440 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 14,304 cases and 166 deaths. At least 10,792 people have recovered.
There are currently 438 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Travis County, with 133 in the ICU and 88 on ventilators.
For a more detailed breakdown of cases, including demographics, visit the City of Austin dashboard.
5:30 p.m. —The Texas Juvenile Justice Department provided the following updates July 10 related to COVID-19:
- Twelve youth at the Gainesville State School who tested positive for COVID-19 in late June have been medically cleared to return to their dorms from quarantine. At this time, Gainesville has only one active youth case.
- One youth development coach at a TJJD halfway house tested positive for COVID-19 July 9. The total number of staff at halfway houses who have tested positive since the start of the pandemic is 14.
- Two youth development coaches at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex, in Brownwood, have tested positive for COVID-19. The first case was confirmed July 9 and the second case was confirmed July 10.
- One youth development coach at the Giddings State School tested positive for COVID-19 on July 9.
- Two staff members at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility, in Mart, tested positive for COVID-19 on July 10.
- One youth development coach at the Gainesville State School tested positive for COVID-19 on July 10.
- Staff and youth testing at Edna Tamayo House, a halfway house in Harlingen, was completed July 10. Results are expected back within 48 to 72 hours after being received at the lab.
- On July 10, the TJJD Board of Directors unanimously approved a contract with San Antonio-based BCFS to provide staff support at the agency’s secure facilities.
5:15 p.m. – Hays County reported 92 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, along with 49 recoveries. There were no new hospitalizations.
Hays County has had a total of 3,501 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths. There are 2,835 active cases and 20 current hospitalizations, while at least 655 people have recovered from the virus.
4:23 p.m. – Caldwell County announced its fifth coronavirus death on Friday. The county has reported one new death each day for the past three days.
4:15 p.m. – Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David’s HealthCare released this joint statement Friday regarding the hospital systems' capacity:
"At this time, the three healthcare systems have 2,473 staffed beds collectively, and occupancy of those staffed beds is at 77%. Collectively, the three healthcare systems have 483 ICU beds and occupancy of those ICU beds is currently at 86 percent."
4:06 p.m. – Austin Public Health announced it has free COVID-19 testing sites available throughout the City. The testing sites announced Friday are at the following locations:
- Southeast Branch - Austin Public Library - 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road.
- Given District Park - 3811 E. 12th St.
- Little Walnut Creek Branch - Austin Public Library - 835 W. Rundberg Lane
The sites will be open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
APD said everyone should enroll online ahead of time for the safety of all at the testing site, but no one will be turned away if they show up needing testing. All personal information is protected, and immigration status is not asked. Sign up online for an appointment at COVID19.AustinTexas.gov.
3:45 p.m. – Williamson County reported another death from COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the death toll to 51. The latest death was a man in his 60s, the county said.
“This was a difficult week for Williamson County with the news of several lives lost forever due to COVID-19. As we enter yet another weekend, please keep in mind how our actions may impact those around us. Preserving our health and keeping those we love healthy is of the utmost importance right now, even if that means wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell.
2:24 p.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott announced that Omnicare, a CVS Health company, is partnering with the State of Texas to provide COVID-19 point-of-care testing for assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout the state. This partnership will provide on-site same-day testing and results for both facility staff and their residents.
"This partnership with Omnicare and CVS Health will increase COVID-19 testing in our assisted living facilities and nursing homes and help us protect vulnerable Texans from COVID-19," said Governor Abbott. "Our collaboration with public and private entities is crucial to ramping up testing in Texas and mitigating the spread of this virus—especially among our most vulnerable populations."
1:20 p.m. - Gov. Abbott issues a proclamation extending the disaster declaration for all Texas counties. The declaration, which was initially issued on March 13, provides the state with a number of resources Texans continue to fight the spread of COVID-19.
"Extending this disaster declaration helps ensure that Texas has the resources and flexibility needed to effectively respond to COVID-19," said Gov. Abbott. "To further mitigate the spread of the virus and overcome this challenge, Texans should continue to do their part by wearing a mask, social distancing and staying home if possible."
The proclamation can be read here.
10:55 a.m. - Austin Public Health said they will be distributing 1,000 pulse oximeters to COVID-19 positive patients at high risk. The tool helps patients better monitor themselves and it measures the amount of hemoglobin carrying oxygen in the blood. This helps doctors determine how well they're being oxygenated.
10:15 a.m. - One more TSA officer at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to nine during this entire pandemic. The last day the TSA employee worked was on June 26.
9:30 a.m. - The 2020 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas has been canceled, the Circuit of the Americas announced Friday. The race was originally scheduled to happen in April 2020 before it was postponed to the end of the year. Now, the 2020 event is canceled and it's set to happen in 2021 in April, COTA said.
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