AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Sunday'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. 9 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 1.6 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 29,300 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 55,870 cases have been reported and at least 569 people have died. At least 49,257 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 11,545 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 138 people have died. At least 9,599 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 23,414 cases have been reported in the county and at least 222 people have died. At least 21,597 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. 9
Updates:
9:40 p.m. – There are a new record 677 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area hospitals, making up 17% of total capacity – at or above 15% for six consecutive days. There are 199 COVID-19 patients in Austin-area ICUs, with 7% (38 beds) left available. The daily hospital admissions average is up to 93.7 COVID-19 hospitalizations per day over the past week.
The Austin metro area is at a new record for seven-day average of new cases at 1,196 per day over the past week. The metro area's positivity rate average is at 13.21%. There have been 1,207 deaths from COVID-19 in the 12-county KVUE viewing area since the pandemic began.
9:10 p.m. – Texas reported 18,861 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 1,703,634. The seven-day average reached a new record high of 18,912 cases per day over the past week – up 40% from a week ago and 64% from a month ago. The state reported 381 new deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 29,691.
There are a record 13,935 COVID-19 patients currently in Texas hospitals, up 13% from a week ago and up 54% from a month ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 20.46%.
6:30 p.m. – Travis County reported another death from COVID-19 on Saturday along with 464 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 55,870 cases and 569 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 49,257 have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 586 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 180 in the ICU and 114 on ventilators.
1:15 p.m. – The City of Austin and Travis County have begun the process to open the alternate care site at the Austin Convention Center, as new COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions continue to spike. Learn more.
8:15 a.m. – The Central Texas Food Bank is hosting a food distribution event at the Austin Community College Hays Campus at 1200 Kohlers Crossing in Kyle. The event runs from 9 a.m. until noon.
8 a.m. – On Friday, Williamson County reported eight new coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the county's total to 222. The county also reported 578 new confirmed cases for a total of 23,414. There have been an estimated 21,597 recoveries in Williamson County.
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