AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Friday'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 daily live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas:
- More than 5.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and around 80,000 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Austin-Travis County: The seven-day moving average for new hospital admissions is 55, and an average of 460 people are hospitalized. The community transmission rate is 413.3 (high) and the positivity rate is 20.7%. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 182,715 cases have been reported and at least 1,295 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 5,266 active cases, and 28 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 49,967 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 462 people have died.
- Williamson County: There are 240 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Eleven percent of hospital beds are available, and 7% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 107,591 cases have been reported and at least 821 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: COVID-19 data for Feb. 9, 2022
Updates:
9:50 p.m. - Austin ISD announced Thursday that it is lifting audience capacity restrictions on fine arts and athletics events, effective immediately. Attendees will still be required to wear masks.
In a release, the school district said COVID-19 cases within the district are "plummeting" and that the City is "close to going back to" Stage 4 of the area's COVID-19 restrictions.
"Our kids deserve to be celebrated, especially with playoffs and other end-of-year performances coming up," the district said in a release.
Check back for updates throughout the day.
OTHER COVID-19 HEADLINES:
- 7-year-old girl passes away due to COVID-19, soon after her baby sister was born
- New York mask mandate for indoor businesses lifted, but still required for schools and nursing homes
- Canadian provinces lift COVID restrictions, protests remain
- Most Austin-Travis County COVID-19 deaths include people with chronic conditions, APH says