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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller tests positive for COVID-19

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Wednesday, Dec. 9.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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. 9 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 41,092 cases have been reported and at least 499 people have died. At least 37,808 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Hays County: At least 7,946 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 107 people have died. At least 6,960 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Williamson County: At least 15,003 cases have been reported in the county and at least 174 people have died. At least 13,664 people have recovered from the virus.

Updates:

8 p.m. – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his Facebook post published tonight.

RELATED: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller tests positive for COVID-19

6 p.m. – Austin-Travis County health leaders report three more deaths and 256 new cases. There have now been a total of 41,092 cases, 37,808 recoveries and 499 deaths.

4:50 p.m. – The Hays County Local Health Department reports one new COVID-related fatality; a San Marcos woman in her 80s. The department also reports 91 new lab-confirmed cases along with two new hospitalizations, two new hospital discharges and 54 additional people now considered recovered. The total number of individuals considered recovered is 6,960.

Williamson County is now reporting a total of 15,003 cases, 13,664 recoveries and 174 deaths.

4 p.m. – Janet Pichette, the chief epidemiologist at Austin Public Health, says the Austin area is currently in a "stage of widespread community exposure." 

An increase in new cases in the weeks after Thanksgiving has resulted in a slight bump in the seven-day average. On Nov. 25, Travis County was seeing 273 new cases per day, according to the Austin-Travis County dashboard. On Dec. 8, Travis County's new cases average rose slightly to 297 per day. Read more.

RELATED: Austin in 'stage of widespread community exposure' after Thanksgiving holiday, APH leaders say

10:45 a.m. – Austin Public Health wrapped up its COVID-19 Q&A. You can watch the press conference in full in the video below.

8:50 a.m. - Austin health leaders will give a COVID-19 update at 10 a.m.

WATCH: Austin Public Health revises quarantine guidelines

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