AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Saturday's blog.
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. 22 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 64,291 cases have been reported and at least 625 people have died. At least 57,899 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 13,915 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 171 people have died. At least 11,047 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 28,979 cases have been reported in the county and at least 283 people have died. At least 26,617 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 Jan. 22
Updates:
6:35 p.m. – Travis County reported two more deaths from COVID-19 on Friday along with 540 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 64,291 cases and 625 deaths since the pandemic began. At least 57,899 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 587 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 169 in the ICU and 107 on ventilators. There are 26 people begin treated at the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.
5:20 p.m. – The Austin metro area has averaged 1,236 new cases per day over the past week. The positivity rate average for the area is at 9.61%.
There are 660 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area hospitals currently, making up 15.08% of total capacity. There are 214 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area ICUs, making up 39% of capacity. Austin-area ICUs are 89% full.
4:55 p.m. – Williamson County said its vaccine provider, Family Hospital Systems, successfully administered 5,620 COVID-19 vaccines in its first two days of operation at two vaccination locations. Vaccinations have started at both the Sun City Ballroom and the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.
“This launch is a testament that teamwork pays off. I am proud of the efficient process we have put in place, and I am grateful to Gov. Greg Abbott and the state for the vaccines we received to launch these two sites,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell. “We know that the COVID-19 vaccines are saving lives, that is why we need more doses so we can meet the County’s demand.”
A total of 6,000 COVID-19 vaccines were provided on Wednesday, Jan. 20, and an additional 8,000 vaccines were received on Friday.
Those eligible under Phase 1A and 1B can sign up to be on the FHS waitlist. For more information, please visit https://familyhospitalsystems.com/services/covid-19/.
4:45 p.m. – Hays County reported 77 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday along with six new hospitalizations and seven new hospital discharges. There are 44 additional people considered recovered from the virus.
4:05 p.m. – Texas reported 17,862 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the total to 1,935,747. The seven-day average is at 16,623 cases per day over the past week – up 26% from a month ago. The state reported 422 more deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the death toll to 33,707.
There are 13,344 COVID-19 patients in hospitals statewide, up 26% from a month ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 16.57%.
Texas has administered 62% (1,600,794) of its 2,567,350 allocated COVID-19 vaccine doses so far. There are 228,314 Texans fully vaccinated, while 1,144,166 have received their first dose.
1:40 p.m. – Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra announces that the county has now launched its COVID-19 vaccination portal for those qualified in phases 1A and 1B. The portal, which launched at 1:30 p.m., is reachable at HaysCountyTX.com. Those without internet access can dial 512-938-1650 to register. County officials ask that only those without internet should call this number.
County officials also noted that they have only received less than 2,000 doses, so appointments will fill up quickly.
To sign up, click here. For more information, click here.
1 p.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announce the expansion of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program for front line workers at Texas small businesses by dedicating 1 million BinaxNow Rapid Tests to the program. The COVID-19 Small Business Rapid Testing Program launched in December as a pilot program and has helped small businesses throughout the state conduct rapid tests on employees to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
11:23 a.m. – At Austin Public Health's weekly COVID-19 update, health officials urged the public to "be patient with us" as the city works to get people vaccinated. Dr. Stephanie Hayden said, "we don't have enough vaccines for people in our community." She said they have only received 1% of the vaccine needed to vaccinate the community.
You can watch the full briefing on KVUE's YouTube channel:
5:45 a.m. – Austin Public Health will hold its weekly COVID-19 update at 11:15 a.m.
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