AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates, check out our new blog 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. 15 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 1.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 23,900 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 43,469 cases have been reported and at least 507 people have died. At least 39,222 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 8,340 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 113 people have died. At least 7,202 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 16,322 cases have been reported in the county and at least 182 people have died. At least 15,153 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. 15
Updates:
9:40 p.m. – The City of Austin and Travis County have extended the "Stay Home, Work Safe" orders – now titled "Stay Home, Mask and Otherwise Be Safe" – until Feb. 16, 2021.
7 p.m. – Manor Middle School will temporarily move to 100% remote instruction for all students effective Wednesday, Dec. 16 after two new positive cases were reported at the campus on Tuesday. Manor ISD said the move to remote learning was a result of the number of staff currently in quarantine. On-campus instruction will resume after the winter break on Tuesday, Jan. 4.
Curbside meal service for Manor Middle School students will be available for pick-up at all other Manor ISD campuses. Elementary campuses pick-up times will be 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and secondary campuses will be 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., except for Manor Senior High, where pick-up will be at 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the building closure.
6 p.m. – Travis County reported 613 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to 43,469 cases and 507 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Tuesday was the highest single-day case count since July 13. At least 39,222 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 297 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 87 in the ICU and 44 on ventilators.
5:30 p.m. – Travis County's judge and Austin's mayor are calling upon local faith leaders to slow the spread of COVID-19 any way that they can.
In an open letter to faith leaders, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Austin Mayor Steve Adler stated health experts have said if the area's current trajectory of COVID-19 cases is sustained, "we will soon reach a crisis." The two are hoping faith leaders will help assist in preventing that from happening.
"During this time of year, many of us are looking to reconnect with our faith, family and friends to restore our spirits. We recognize your unique leadership role and your responsibility to tend to the needs of your congregation," the letter reads. "As our community heads into this important time, we are writing again to ask for your voluntary assistance to keep our community safe, and to help prevent Austin/Travis County from moving into Stage 5 during the holidays."
Brown and Adler ask faith leaders consider virtual worship if their congregation has digital capabilities. If their congregation doesn't have that as an option, the pair asks leaders consider other changes to holiday services, including enforcing mask use and social distancing and avoiding sustained contacts among those in large groups, especially to protect vulnerable community members like the elderly.
4:45 p.m. – Hays County reports six new COVID-19 deaths: three women from Kyle, two in their 90s and one in her 60s, and three men from San Marcos, one in his 40s, one in his 60s and one in his 90s. The county said these deaths occurred between Dec. 3 and Dec. 15. The county has had a total of 113 coronavirus-related deaths.
The county also reported 27 new lab-confirmed cases, bringing the total to 8,340. There are currently 16 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Hays County.
4:30 p.m. – The State Preservation Board is coordinating with other agencies to reopen the Texas Capitol grounds from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. starting Wednesday, Dec. 16. The building will remain closed.
9:10 a.m. – The University of Texas Dell Medical School gave an update as the first people in Austin are vaccinated Tuesday morning. You can watch the update on KVUE's YouTube channel:
7:48 a.m. – As the first 300 healthcare workers are set to get vaccinated Tuesday, the University of Texas Dell Medical School is scheduled to give a briefing on the Pfizer vaccine at 9:10 a.m.
The school received nearly 3,000 doses of the vaccine Monday, and by the end of this week, Texas is expected to have more than 220,000 doses.
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