AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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. 17 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 44,381 cases have been reported and at least 512 people have died. At least 39,898 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 8,569 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 113 people have died. At least 7,253 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 16,986 cases have been reported in the county and at least 186 people have died. At least 15,428 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. 17
Updates:
6:05 p.m. – Travis County reported one more death from COVID-19 on Thursday along with 545 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 44,381 cases and 512 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 39,898 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 320 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 94 in the ICU and 47 on ventilators.
5:40 p.m. – Due to a technological issue, Hays County could not provide a full COVID-19 report today. However, it did report three new deaths, 151 lab-confirmed cases, seven new cases and eight hospital discharges.
5:37 p.m. – Another youth development coach at the Giddings State School has tested positive. Since the start of the pandemic, a total of 50 staff members and 89 youth have tested positive.
5:20 p.m. – Williamson County reported four more deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the county's death toll to 186.
5:10 p.m. – Texas reported a new single-day record on Thursday, with 16,864 new confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide, bringing the total to 1,371,223. The seven-day average is 12,324 per day over the past week – up 45% from a month ago. The state reported 266 new deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 24,660.
There are 9,628 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals – the most since July 27 and up 23% from a month ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 14.03%.
5 p.m. – St. David's HealthCare said it received its first shipments of the initial supply of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, with nearly 3,000 doses delivered to its hospitals.
The vaccine will be administered beginning no Friday using a tiered system based on guidance from the CDC. Medical staff providing direct COVID-19 care will be in the first vaccination group.
3:20 p.m. – All of this week's 224,250 vaccines for Texas have now been delivered to 110 facilities in 34 counties, the Department of State Health Services said on Thursday afternoon. A larger shipment is expected to be distributed to more than 1,000 providers next week.
11 a.m. – The Austin State Hospital announces that it has received its first shipment of the vaccine. It will be administering vaccinations to hospital staff this afternoon. Ascension Seton has also begun vaccinations at its area hospitals today.
10:40 a.m. – Gov. Abbott said more than a million Texans will get the COVID-19 vaccine this month. He also said we need to put shutdowns behind us and focus on opening up more businesses.
RELATED:
9:26 a.m. – Gov. Abbott wrapped up his press conference. He talked about COVID-19 distribution in Texas. You can watch the full update in the video below.
5:35 a.m. - Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to deliver an update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution Thursday at 8:45 a.m.
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