AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. For Saturday's blog, click here.
KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus and COVID-19 news in the Austin area.
Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's Dec. 11 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 1.2 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 22,800 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 41,901 cases have been reported and at least 504 people have died. At least 38,125 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 8,091 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 107 people have died. At least 6,927 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 15,462 cases have been reported in the county and at least 180 people have died. At least 14,137 people have recovered from the virus.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Dec. 11
Updates:
8:25 p.m. – Austin ISD is asking parents to complete a survey about going to full-time remote learning after the winter break, in light of Austin Public Health announcing Travis County could be in Stage 5 of its COVID-19 risk-based guidelines in the new year.
In a letter, AISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said, "Schools are considered essential and may stay open. However, the possibility remains that there may come a point when we need to return to 100% remote instruction or close altogether for a certain amount of time. This would only be done as a last resort to ensure we maintain a safe and healthy environment on our campuses. In the event that a return to 100% remote learning or complete closure occurs, the 2020-21 academic calendar would need to be adjusted."
The survey includes questions about making up instructional days at the end of the school year, weekends or during spring break.
6:10 p.m. – Travis County reported two more deaths from COVID-19 on Friday along with 382 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 41,901 cases and 504 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 38,125 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 272 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 90 in the ICU and 46 on ventilators.
6 p.m. – The Austin metro area reported an average of 608 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week – up 4.5% from a week ago and up 148% from a month ago. The positivity rate average is at 5.64%.
There are 333 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area hospitals, with 18% of capacity still available. There are 109 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area ICUs, which are 92% full – the lowest available beds since late May.
The COVID-19 daily hospital admissions average for the Austin metro area is up to 43 per day over the past week. There have been 973 deaths in the 12-county KVUE viewing area since the start of the pandemic.
5:10 p.m. – Williamson County reports 234 new cases and six more deaths. A total of 15,462 cases, 14,137 recoveries and 180 deaths have now been reported.
5:05 p.m. – According to a joint statement from Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David’s HealthCare, currently, the 2,473 staffed beds within all three healthcare systems are 76% occupied, and the 483 ICU beds are 87% occupied.
4:50 p.m. – Texas reported 11,523 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the total to 1,307,878 since the start of the pandemic. The seven-day average of daily new cases is up 48% from a month ago. The state reported 240 more deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the death toll to 23,565.
There are 9,109 COVID-19 patients currently in Texas hospitals, up 34% from a month ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 13.14% and has been above 10% every day for seven consecutive weeks.
3:40 p.m. – Hays County reported 75 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday along with one new hospitalization and three new hospital discharges. No additional people are considered recovered since Wednesday's update.
2:55 p.m. – Manor ISD has been notified of a positive student case at Manor Elementary Early Learning Center. All of those who were identified as close contacts of the student have been asked to self-quarantine until Dec. 21.
12 p.m. – Gov. Abbott announces that Texas will participate in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, a federal program to vaccinate residents and staff of long-term care facilities. The program is free and will send staff vaccines from partnering Walgreens and CVS locations. The first vaccines will be provided to pharmacies in the week of Dec. 21, with the program to begin on Dec. 28.
9:07 a.m. – Austin may move into Stage 5 of the risk-based guidelines outlined by the city's health leaders if new coronavirus cases don't slow down, the top doctor said in a briefing two weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday.
The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Austin-Travis County is up 131% from one month ago. More than 300 are in the hospital, and 100 of those are in the ICU.
7:35 a.m. – The City of Austin announced a grim milestone Friday morning. Austin-Travis County surpassed 500 COVID-19 deaths Thursday. A total of 502 people who called Austin home have died because of the virus. As of Dec. 10, there have been more than 23,300 coronavirus deaths in the state.
"One death is too many. It is hard to fathom 502 loved ones lost," said Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott. "We all want to return to normal, but we also want to protect our family and friends from the pandemic. Our community is strong, and we cannot do this without each other."
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