Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Texas State to begin spring semester virtually

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Tuesday'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 3.7 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 74,400 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 66, and an average of 261 people are hospitalized. The seven-day moving average for new cases is 674. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 132,285 cases have been reported and at least 1,218 people have died.
  • Hays County: There are currently 2,693 active cases, and 15 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 33,537 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 414 people have died. 
  • Williamson County: There are 164 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Fifteen percent of hospital beds are available, and 7% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 71,474 cases have been reported and at least 752 people have died.

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

Updates:

5:35 p.m. – Due to staff shortages, Manor ISD will not be able to open its Curative testing trailer beginning tomorrow through Thursday. The district is aiming to open it Friday if staff can return back healthy. Alternatively, it will open next Monday, Jan. 10.

5:30 p.m. – Nomi Health closed its Long Center testing site about two hours early today because the cold weather impacted antigen tests, causing them not to work properly. They will be back open tomorrow morning. Nomi Health said they focused on PCR tests instead and there is no risk of anyone getting a defective antigen test. 

4:35 p.m. – A letter to the Texas State University community on Monday outlined the university's COVID-19 protocols as students return, including a requirement that everyone going back to residence halls must test negative.

Classes will temporarily move online beginning Jan. 18 and lasting through Jan. 30, the university said. Face-to-face instruction for all Texas State University courses will resume on Jan. 31. No classes are canceled.

Campus offices will remain open for business, the university said, with services offered in-person and/or virtually. Social distancing and masks are requested at campus spaces.

Tests for those returning to residence halls for the spring semester may be PCR or antigen tests, including at-home tests. Testing should be performed within 72 hours prior to returning to campus. To make an appointment, go to the Texas State COVID-19 Testing page. 

3 p.m. – The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) released its latest COVID-19 data: 

TEXAS

• 51,481 new cases (single-day record) on Jan. 3 and 154,975 new cases in the past four days combined
  • 7-day average: 26,954 per day (highest on record)
    • Up 144% from a week ago
    • Up 736% from a month ago
• 78 new deaths
  • 74,736 total to date
• 7,015 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals, which is the most since Oct. 6
  • Up 77% from a week ago
  • Up 143% from a month ago
• Positivity rate up to 33.90% (record high)

LOCAL

• 4,789 new cases for the 4-county metro Austin area
  • 7-day average: 2,601 per day (highest ever)
• Hospital admissions have skyrocketed to 65.7 per day over the past week
• 302 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) hospitals … most since Oct. 7
  • 16% bed availability
  • 7.6% COVID/capacity (under 3% less than two weeks ago)
• 77 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) ICUs … most since Oct. 22
  • 11% bed availability
  • 15% COVID/capacity (in the 8% range a couple weeks ago)

12:30 p.m. – Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) is experiencing busy phone lines and long wait times for COVID-19-related inquiries, according to an email being sent to customers. According to the email, causes for the longer wait times included: 

• Increased call volumes related to vaccine availability;
• Increased call volumes related to COVID-19 infections;
• Increased call volumes related to COVID-19 testing;
• Increased call volumes for appointments for all ARC’s services; and
• Phone staff shortages that are related to the nationwide staff shortages

ARC said in the email that it has responded with: 

• Added phone staff and continue to recruit even more;
• Added phone lines to handle increased call volume;
• Offered call-back-assist options in some cases so you don’t have to wait on hold;
• Installed more scheduling servers so more people can schedule online simultaneously;
• Added more online scheduling options, especially for testing and vaccinations

"Thank you for your understanding as we continue to navigate our changing healthcare landscape during this pandemic. We are grateful to be able to care for you and your family and we take your trust in us seriously," ARC's email read. "Please know that we are doing everything we can to make the experience better for you. We are committed to working tirelessly to improve the phone situation over the next several months."

11:15 a.m. – Austin Public Health (APH) released walk-up COVID-19 sites for the week: 

• Old Sims Elementary School Gymnasium (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer 5+, and Flu)
  • 1203 Springdale Road, Austin, TX 78721 
    • Wednesday and Thursday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
• Delco Activity Center (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer 5+, and Flu) 
  • 4601 Pecan Brook Drive, Austin, TX 78724
    • Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Thursday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Pfluger Hall (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer 12+) 
  • 203 E Pecan Street, Pflugerville, TX 78660  
    • Wednesday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Jester King Brewery (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer 12+) 
  • 13187 Fitzhugh Road, Austin, TX 78736
    • Friday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Southeast Branch Library (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer 12+) 
  • 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road
    • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Those visiting the Jester King booster shot event on Friday who are 21 and older will get a free Jester King beer or half off any pizza.

11 a.m. – The Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) said it has received 18 new COVID-19 positive tests among its inmate population. TCSO said it has received 77 new COVID-19 positive tests among TCSO employees.

10 a.m. – Lake Travis ISD sent the following letter to parents, addressing the district's COVID-19 protocols: 

Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

First and foremost, I hope you and your family are well and have enjoyed the holiday break. As you may already know, according to Austin Public Health (APH), COVID-19 cases in Austin-Travis County are surging. Significant increases in the Community Transmission Rate, test positivity rate, and the 7-day moving average of hospital admissions have prompted APH to move back into Stage 4 of its COVID-19 Risk-Based Guidelines. As a result, I am sharing the following information and reminders as we prepare for the return of in-person learning for all students on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 Omicron variant presents symptoms similar to and often mistaken for seasonal allergies. These include cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, headache, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose. These symptoms should be taken seriously and those who are exhibiting any of these symptoms should remain at home.

Furthermore, we are aware that the CDC has recently adjusted its recommendations regarding asymptomatic patients and quarantines. At this time, our COVID protocols for the current school year remain in effect and can be accessed on our website. As a reminder, staff who are positive for COVID-19, are close contacts, or are symptomatic need to contact Evalene Murphy. Parents of students who are positive or symptomatic should contact their child’s school. Our COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated upon our return on Monday, January 3.

As an additional protective measure, we started installing portable air disinfection devices which will be located in reception areas, cafeterias, hallways, locker rooms and other high-traffic common spaces at each campus and department. The units reduce pathogens that lead to COVID, colds, the common flu, and even gastrointestinal illness, and they also help reduce dust, mold spores, and pollen that trigger asthma and allergies. Our application for the 2021-2022 COVID-19 School Health Support Grant was approved which provided the funding for these devices. For more information about these units, visit the Well Air Solutions website.

While local health officials expect COVID-19 to continue impacting our community, please know the safety of our staff and students remains our highest priority. We will continue to monitor data, evaluate our strategies, and update our protocols as needed. On behalf of our school board, I look forward to the exciting opportunities that await our staff, students, and families in 2022.

Sincerely,

Paul Norton
Superintendent of Schools

8 a.m. – Austin ISD will have several free testing hubs open to any student or staff member starting on Monday. Testing will run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, at these locations: 

• Akins Early College High School
• Eastside Early College High School 
• Navarro Early College High School 
• Northeast Early College High School
• Travis Early College High School  
• McCallum High School
• Cunnigham Elementary School
• Kiker Elementary School 
• Norman-Sims Elementary School 
• Pillow Elementary School 

AISD will also offer after-hours testing on Monday from 3 to 7 p.m. at its Central Office, located at 4000 S. Interstate 35 Frontage Road.

OTHER COVID-19 HEADLINES:

• When will the pandemic end? Omicron changes the equation but doesn't overhaul predictions
• Group of parents email Austin ISD asking for stricter COVID-19 protocols
• Fauci: CDC mulling COVID test requirement to 5-day isolation for asymptomatic
• Fayette County calls for conservation of COVID-19 tests