Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Travis County non-essential services, mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics closed Friday

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 5.2 million cases have been reported in the state, and around 78,600 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 94, and an average of 606 people are hospitalized. The community transmission rate is 678.3 (high) and the positivity rate is 25.9%. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 180,152 cases have been reported and at least 1,276 people have died.
  • Hays County: There are currently 7,134 active cases, and 30 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 48,603 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 454 people have died. 
  • Williamson County: There are 552 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Seven percent of hospital beds are available, and 2% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 105,55 cases have been reported and at least 808 people have died.

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

Here's closer look at today's data:

TEXAS

• 16,495 new cases (fewest in a single day in all of 2022)
  • 7-day average: 24,340/day
    • Down 8% day-to-day
    • Down 34% from a week ago
    • Down 32% from a month ago
      • Still higher than any of the previous peaks of the pandemic, but showing great improvement
• 154 new deaths
  • 79,135 total to date
• 11,124 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals
  • Down 5% day-to-day
  • Down 15% from a week ago
  • Up 37% from a month ago
• 24.62% positivity statewide

LOCAL

• 1,293 new cases for the 4-county Austin metro (Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop), fewest in a single day in all of 2022
  • 7-day average: 1,771/day
    • Down 6% day-to-day
    • Down 39% from last week
    • Down 48% from a month ago
      • Still higher than any of the previous peaks of the pandemic
• Austin-Travis County is still in the ‘high’ community transmission designation, at 670.90 cases per 100K population over the past week … this is dropping quickly from a peak of 1,896 two weeks ago
• 643 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) hospitals
  • -69 day-to-day
  • 8% bed availability (vastly improved from record-low a week ago)
• 171 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) ICUs
  • -12 day-to-day
  • 6% bed availability (24 adult, 8 pediatric = 32 total beds)

Updates:

2 p.m. – Due to the continued cold weather, especially in early-morning hours, Travis County’s mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics, including the Travis County Exposition Center drive-thru clinic, will remain closed through the weekend. Vaccine operations will resume Monday, Feb. 7.

4 p.m. – Travis County Judge Andy Brown announced Travis County offices and facilities will remain closed for non-essential services on Friday, Feb. 4. Essential county staff will continue to report for duty. Any county staff with questions regarding their department should contact their immediate supervisor.

Additionally, Travis County’s mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics will also remain closed Friday, Feb. 4 .

Travis County urges residents to stay home and avoid traveling on icy roads. Anyone who needs to go to a community shelter should travel with extreme caution. Please make sure you have a travel plan and extra essential supplies to get to your destination safely. These facilities are open and can serve as overnight shelters:

• Dove Springs Recreation Center – 5801 Ainez Dr. Austin, TX 78744
• Dittmar Recreation Center – 1009 W. Dittmar Rd. Austin, TX 78748
• Gus Garcia Recreation Center – 1201 E. Rundberg Ln. Austin, TX 78753
• Givens Recreation Center – 3811 E. 12th St. Austin, TX 78721
• Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center – 2608 Gonzales St. Austin, TX 78702

OTHER COVID-19 HEADLINES:

• Unvaccinated soldiers to be discharged, Army announces
• Yes, the Army is working on a universal coronavirus vaccine
• Travis County commissioners vote to extend vaccine incentive program for employees
• Yes, Spikevax and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are the same
• Pfizer asks FDA to allow low-dose COVID-19 shots for kids under 5