AUSTIN, Texas — 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. 31 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 1.5 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 27,000 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 50,194 cases have been reported and at least 548 people have died. At least 44,917 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 10,635 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 126 people have died. At least 8,873 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 20,411 cases have been reported in the county and at least 203 people have died. At least 18,905 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. 31
Updates:
5:53 p.m. – The Austin Police Department confirmed to KVUE that it would increase its patrols downtown for New Year's Eve.
"All shifts will be staffed at 100% to ensure that we have resources available for any public safety needs," an APD spokesperson said.
5:45 p.m. – A Travis County district judge has sided with the City of Austin to keep the New Year holiday restrictions on dine-in services at Austin-Travis County bars and restaurants.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown Released the following statement regarding today’s court ruling pertaining to County Judge Order 2020-24:
“My priority during this pandemic is to protect the health and safety of our community. I issued this order based on the advice of our health officials, including Dr. Mark Escott, and the alarming increase of COVID-19 cases in Travis County. Today’s ruling will help our community slow the spread of COVID-19, while allowing businesses to safely continue their operations through takeout, drive-thru, and delivery service options. I encourage everyone in Travis County to order food for takeout from a local restaurant and to celebrate the New Year safely at home tonight.”
Read the full order from District Judge Amy Clark Meachum here.
4:54 p.m. – Hays County reported 111 new lab-confirmed cases, no new hospitalizations or discharges, and 229 additional people now considered recovered. The current total of lab-confirmed cases for Hays County is 10,635 with 1,636 current active cases.
1:50 p.m. – A Travis County district judge is hearing the State's case against the new local orders that place temporary restrictions on dine-in services at Austin-Travis County bars and restaurants. Watch the hearing live below:
1:20 p.m. - An H-E-B spokesperson says its pharmacies already administered or plan to administer almost all of its COVID-19 vaccine allocation from the state. The grocery store chain has requested more vaccine from the state and is waiting to learn when that additional allotment will arrive. Some stores still have a waitlist for people in Phase 1A.
"We plan to vaccinate both 1A and 1B once we receive adequate supply from the state of Texas," the spokesperson said.
H-E-B also provided the following statement:
“H-E-B pharmacies received a very limited initial quantity of vaccines and are currently continuing distribution of our initial allocation with scheduled healthcare personnel in the first phase of the vaccination schedule (1A). We will continue to move into vaccinating people in Phase 1B when we receive more allocation of Covid-19 vaccine from the state of Texas. Updates will be communicated with customers via our Pharmacy page on heb.com and H-E-B Newsroom. An appointment must be scheduled to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, and an online scheduler will be made available soon. Our pharmacies will not accept walk ins.”
1 p.m. - The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide $204 million in SNAP food benefits for January 2021 as part of the state's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recipients will also see a 15% increase in total benefits through June 2021. The increase and allotment should appear in accounts on Jan. 23. Nearly 2 million Texans are eligible for the program.
12:30 p.m. - Education Austin, the union for Austin ISD employees, released the following statement regarding the superintendent's decision to reopen campuses next week:
"We are extremely disappointed and object in the strongest terms to the superintendent’s decision to reopen schools next week. It is clear that these are abnormal, extraordinary times. All of us—our members, students, parents, and the community—want our schools open and a return to normal. But we also understand that safety is THE top priority, something that AISD is only willing to give lip service to. Our city is at Stage 5, currently looking at a shortage of ICU beds, and enforcing a curfew for restaurants and bars. Our employees are not getting prioritized for vaccines in time for reopening. This is no time for business as usual. Remember the refrain that “AISD has heart”? Now it seems like they simply do not care how many staff, students, and families get sick. The superintendent is actively contributing to unsafe conditions and risking people’s lives. We call on members of the AISD Board of Trustees to right the ship, and exercise all available power to delay reopening schools until it is safe to do so. We will continue to work toward that end and fight the good fight. We also call on the superintendent, legislators, and the governor to prioritize all school employees when distributing the vaccine. If we want to reopen schools, vaccinate our employees. Don’t treat them like essential workers without providing protections!"
12 p.m. – Several Austin bar and restaurant owners have gathered to protest the new orders placing restrictions on nighttime dine-in services this weekend. Watch below:
11 a.m. – Austin ISD says it will resume on-campus instruction for those who choose it next week and will also continue to offer remote instruction through the rest of the school year. If a family wants to transition their children to on-campus instruction from remote instruction, AISD will make that change upon request.
Additionally, AISD says all extracurriculars except varsity sports will be suspended for the spring semester. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said parents of seniors reached out and said varsity sports must continue for students to get college scholarships.
9:30 a.m. – Austin Public Health says the St. John's COVID-19 testing site has a delay in opening due to weather. The site will be open Sunday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. to help increase capacity after Wednesday's closure. You must pre-register for an appointment.
8 a.m. – Yesterday, the Texas Attorney General's Office filed a lawsuit to undo the temporary restrictions placed on dine-in services by the City of Austin and Travis County. A Travis County district judge is expected to hear the case today at 1:30 p.m.
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