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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: What to know Wednesday

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Wednesday, Jan. 20.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 Jan. 20 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 1.8 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 32,300 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: At least 63,036 cases have been reported and at least 621 people have died. At least 56,501 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Hays County: At least 13,682 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 168 people have died. At least 10,939 people have recovered from the virus. 
    • Williamson County: At least 28,116 cases have been reported in the county and at least 273 people have died. At least 25,844 people have recovered from the virus.

For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.

Updates:

6:20 p.m. –  Health officials report there are now 19 patients at the alternate care site at the Austin Convention Center.

According to the Travis County health leaders, 734 new cases were reported today. There are currently 604 people hospitalized, with 181 in the ICU and 108 on ventilators.

6 p.m. – The Hays County Local Health Department reports six COVID-related fatalities, a Dripping Springs man in his 80s, a San Marcos man in his 30s, a San Marcos man in his 70s, a San Marcos man in his 80s, a Woodcreek woman in her 70s, and a Maxwell man in his 30s. The department also reports 35 new lab-confirmed cases along with five hospitalizations and seven new hospital discharges. There are 198 additional persons considered recovered.

11:45 a.m. – The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved allocating more of the County’s federal CARES Act funds from the $93 million it received for the Wilco Forward program. The program provides financial assistance due to COVID-19 to various entities in our community, including businesses, cities, emergency service districts, school districts and residents.

From the original $93 million that was awarded to Williamson County by the federal government for COVID-19 relief, more than $62.5 million has been used to fund different phases of the WilCo Forward Program. 

The Commissioners Court approved the distribution of the following funds to be used out of the nearly $30 million that was unallocated.

  • $365,000 will be used to pay for COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccine-related programs.
  • $200,000 will go towards assisting the local Emergency Services Districts.
  • Approved an increase in the rent and utility assistance program to a total budget of $8 million.

The Commissioners Court also extended the Wilco Forward Phase III assistance program from a total of three months to six months.

WATCH: Texas making progress in vaccine distribution efforts

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