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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Texas hits new record high for COVID-19 hospitalizations

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Tuesday, Jan. 5.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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. 5 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 1.6 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 28,200 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: At least 53,272 cases have been reported and at least 561 people have died. At least 47,762 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Hays County: At least 11,162 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 136 people have died. At least 9,336 people have recovered from the virus. 
    • Williamson County: At least 22,436 cases have been reported in the county and at least 214 people have died. At least 20,321 people have recovered from the virus.

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

Updates:

6:10 p.m. – Austin-Travis County reports 564 new cases and 7 more deaths. A total of 53,272 cases, 47,762 recoveries and 561 deaths have now been reported.

For the metropolitan statistical area, 574 people are currently hospitalized, 161 are in the ICU and 99 are on a ventilator.

5:30 p.m. – The Hays County Local Health Department reports three more COVID-related fatalities: a Kyle man in his 70s, a Kyle male in his 60s and a Wimberley female in her 70s. The department also reports 204 new lab-confirmed cases, 10 new hospitalizations and seven new hospital discharges, along with 248 additional people now considered recovered.

Williamson County is now reporting a total of 22,436 confirmed cases, 20,321 recoveries and 214 deaths. Daily new cases are at 548.

4:10 p.m. – The Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) confirms that during a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Jan. 2, some people not included in group 1A or 1B attended the clinic and were vaccinated. ARC said it recognizes it needs to refine its process to assure the vaccination of prioritized individuals. 

ARC said for future mass vaccination events, it will require appointments as it does for in-clinic vaccine administrations. The clinic said that it looks forward to receiving additional doses of the vaccine so it can continue vaccinating patients starting with those who are at the highest risk, but at this time, ARC only has enough vaccine to fulfill this week's appointments.

At the event on Jan. 2, ARC said it was able to vaccinate 907 people. As of Jan. 5, ARC has vaccinated more than 5,500 people overall, predominately health care providers and first responders.

4 p.m. – State data shows that Texas is back down to having used only about 33% of the available COVID-19 vaccines, according to a KVUE Defenders analysis. Of the 1,333,450 doses that have been shipped, 439,502 have been administered.

On Monday, data showed 52% of available vaccines had been used.

3:55 p.m. – The Texas Department of State Health Services reports 26,543 new COVID-19 cases statewide, the second-highest single-day total of the pandemic. The highest single-day total was reported on Dec. 29, with 26,990 new cases reported that day. 

The 7-day average for new cases in Texas is still over 15,000 for the second day in a row and is up 27% from a week ago and 20% from a month ago. 

The state is also reporting a new record high for COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 13,308 Texans currently hospitalized. That number is up 13% from a week ago and 53% from a month ago.

The positivity rate statewide is above 20% for a sixth consecutive day at 20.53%.

A total of 28,219 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in Texas.

3 p.m. – Some extracurricular activities will be allowed at Austin ISD schools this semester. Right now, varsity visual and performing arts, music, sports and career and technical education courses can continue.

Extracurricular activities not tied to curriculum, junior varsity sports, middle school sports and club sports will be allowed to resume activity on Jan. 11.

2:50 p.m. – High-risk staff members for Round Rock ISD can start getting COVID-19 vaccines this week. Starting Thursday, employees who are 65 years old and older and who meet the criteria will be invited to get the vaccine through Ascension Seton Williamson. 

If enough vaccines are available, workers with qualifying high-risk conditions under group 1B will also be invited to get their shots.

2:35 p.m. – According to a joint statement from Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David’s HealthCare, currently, the 2,473 staffed beds within all three healthcare systems are 79% occupied, and the 483 ICU beds are 88% occupied. 

2 p.m. – Williamson County announces that 2,020 seniors currently in long-term care facilities or nursing homes have begun receiving their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“From the beginning, I have stated that our seniors are our most valuable population, and they are the group of people who have suffered the greatest loss of life in our county and country. That is why we are using every resource available to protect them,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell.  

The distribution of the vaccine to 14 long-term care and nursing home facilities in Williamson County was made possible with the collaboration of CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens and the support from state leaders.  

12 p.m. – In its weekly briefing with the Travis County Commissioners Court, Austin Public Health provided updates on local COVID-19 data. Dr. Mark Escott said he expects local ICU capacity to surpass its limit before mid-January and Director Stephanie Hayden provided an update on local vaccine efforts.

RELATED: 

Austin area expected to reach ICU capacity before mid-January, APH says

'Definitely a supply issue' | Austin health officials say we don't have enough COVID-19 vaccines

10:15 a.m. – Leander ISD announced on Jan. 4 it will limit attendance to athletics and fine arts events. LISD said each student-athlete or performer will be allowed two spectators to attend games and events, and the district will permit siblings under 5 years old to attend with their parent or guardian. However, in the case of Cedar Park High School’s appearance in the UIL state semifinals, UIL COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines will be followed, according to LISD. The matchup against Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial will take place Friday, January 8 at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio. 

WATCH: Central Texas hits hospitalization threshold to rollback reopenings

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