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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Travis County reports another death from COVID-19

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Saturday, Dec. 12.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Sunday's blog.

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. 12 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 1.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 23,500 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: At least 42,136 cases have been reported and at least 505 people have died. At least 38,331 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.

Updates:

8:55 p.m. – The seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases in the Austin metro area is up to 616 per day – down 3% from a week ago and up 145% from a month ago.

There are 338 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area hospitals – the most since Aug. 6 – with 18% of total hospital capacity available. There are 114 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area ICUs – a 25% share of total patients – with 8% of ICU capacity still available.

The daily hospital admissions average for the Austin area is now up to 47 per day over the past week. Travis County could move to Stage 5 if that number moves to 50. In four days, the number went from 34.6 to 46.9.

6:05 p.m. – Travis County reported another death from COVID-19 on Saturday along with 235 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 42,136 cases and 505 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 38,331 people have recovered from the virus.

Travis County currently has 289 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 90 in the ICU and 47 on ventilators.

6 p.m. – Texas reported 13,254 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 1,321,578. The seven-day average is at 11,453 cases per day, which is down 6.5% from a week ago and up 58% from a month ago. There were 235 more deaths from COVID-19 reported statewide on Saturday, bringing the death toll to 23,800.

Texas currently has 9,192 COVID-19 patients in hospitals statewide – up 3% from a week ago and up 33% from a month ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 13.1%.

4:50 p.m. – The Texas Men's Basketball game against No. 2 team Baylor on Sunday has been postponed due to COVID-19.

In a statement on Saturday, Baylor head coach Scott Drew said, "This is a disappointing time for everyone involved with our program, but we will always prioritize the health and safety of our student-athletes. The Big 12 Conference prepared for this possibility by leaving the final week of the regular season open, and we look forward to hosting Texas at a later date. Our program will return to competition as soon as we can do so safely."

3:15 p.m. – The Austin Diaper Bank (ADB) gave away more than 121,000 diapers to around 800 families on Saturday as part of a drive-thru event to help ease the holiday financial strain on Central Texas families amid the pandemic.

“We’ve all experienced difficult times this year because of the pandemic, but the challenges have been relentless for families living in poverty who are served by the Austin Diaper Bank,” said ADB Executive Director Holly McDaniel. “Our goal is to eliminate the stress of buying diapers, so families can spend their limited funds on presents and food for a magical holiday with their loved ones.”

ADB said it has doubled its diaper distributions in 2020 due to economic hardships caused by COVID-19 and will top 2 million by the end of the year.

Credit: Austin Diaper Bank

8 a.m. – The Central Texas Food Bank is hosting a food distribution event at Lehman High School at 1700 Lehman Road in Kyle from 9 a.m. until noon.

Also happening today: CommUnity Care is giving free flu shots to Travis County residents without health insurance. The event is happening at Manor Senior High School from 8 a.m. until noon. People can also pick up personal protective equipment – and with Christmas just around the corner, CommUnity Care will also be giving out vouchers for turkeys from H-E-B.

WATCH: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: Panel deciding who gets vaccine in Texas

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