x
Breaking News
More () »

Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Austin Public Health hosts COVID-19 Q&A

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates in Central Texas for Friday, Jan. 28.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Monday'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: 
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Austin-Travis County: The seven-day moving average for new hospital admissions is 103, and an average of 638 people are hospitalized. The community transmission rate is 1094.3 and the positivity rate is 29.1%. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 167,032 cases have been reported and at least 1,260 people have died.
    • Hays County: There are currently 7,033 active cases, and 28 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 46,597 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 446 people have died. 
    • Williamson County: There are 739 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Five percent of hospital beds are available, and 2% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 102,625 cases have been reported and at least 798 people have died.

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

Here's a closer look at today's data:

TEXAS

  • 30,892 new cases
    • 7-day average: 36,820/day
      • Down 9% day-to-day
      • Down 24% from a week ago
      • Up 209% from a month ago
  • 225 new deaths
    • 77,780 total to date
  • 13,023 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals
    • Down 2.5% day-to-day
    • Down 2.6% from a week ago
    • Up 165% from a month ago
  • Hospital beds available statewide down to 6,850 – fewest of the pandemic
  • ICU beds today up to 290 after a pandemic-low of 259 yesterday
  • 31.17% positivity statewide (falling)

LOCAL

  • 2,092 new cases in the 4-county Austin metro
    • 7-day average: 2,920/day – back under 3,000 for the first time since Jan. 3
      • Down 15% day-to-day
      • Down 24% from a week ago
      • Up 149% from a month ago
  • Community transmission for Travis County continues to fall – 1,094/100,000. Still well into Stage 5 territory
  • Hospital admissions holding at 103/day
  • 685 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) hospitals
    • +5 day-to-day
    • 185 available beds = 4.7% availability (the past 6 days have been at 6% or less, which is all worst of the pandemic)
  • 158 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) ICUs
    • +1 day-to-day
    • 13 available beds still (7 adult, 6 pediatric) = 2.5% availability

Updates:

1 p.m. – Starting on Tuesday at noon, a new federally funded COVID-19 testing site will open at Metz Elementary School. The site will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Appointments are not necessary but encouraged.

RELATED: Federal COVID-19 testing site opening at Metz Elementary School

10:15 a.m. – Austin Public Health leaders are hosting their weekly COVID-19 Q&A. This week, they’re joined by Dr. Sarmistha Hauger, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Dell Children’s Medical Center and an associate professor at Dell Medical School. She will discuss the rise in pediatric COVID-19 cases.

RELATED: January pediatric omicron hospitalizations have exceeded delta levels, local health leaders say

Watch live below:

7 a.m. –  Austin ISD will host a free COVID-19 vaccine opportunity for those 5 years old and older on Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Perez Elementary School, located at 7500 S. Pleasant Valley Road. No appointment is necessary and boosters are available.

KVUE on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

OTHER COVID-19 HEADLINES:

Before You Leave, Check This Out