Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Texas surpasses 4 million COVID-19 cases

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Thursday'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 4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 74,700 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 74, and an average of 305 people are hospitalized. The seven-day moving average for new cases is 738. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 134,684 cases have been reported and at least 1,220 people have died.
  • Hays County: There are currently 4,254 active cases, and 11 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 35,442 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 417 people have died. 
  • Williamson County: There are 1,102 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Seventeen percent of hospital beds are available, and 8% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 77,019 cases have been reported and at least 757 people have died.

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

Updates:

5:45 p.m. – The Texas Juvenile Justice Department provided the following updates today related to COVID-19: 

• Ten youth at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility, in Mart, tested positive for COVID-19. 
• Eighteen youth at the Gainesville State School tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon.
• Twelve staff members across the agency tested positive for COVID-19. 
• At this time, TJJD has 138 active cases across its facilities (71 staff and 67 youth). 

For more information about the agency’s response to COVID-19, including cumulative case counts and timelines, visit the TJJD website. 

5:05 p.m. – Hays County reported another death from COVID-19 on Wednesday – a Buda man in his 80s. Health officials also reported 183 new confirmed cases along with two new hospitalizations and four new hospital discharges. There are 100 additional people now considered recovered.

4:10 p.m. – Austin ISD officials told KVUE that there were 384 substitute requests (teacher absences) and a 83.93% student attendance rate among all campuses on Jan. 5, the first day of the spring semester. 

Last year, the first day of the spring semester was Jan. 6, where there were 293 substitute requests (teacher absences) and a 94.39% student attendance rate among all campuses, according to AISD officials.

3:50 p.m. – Travis County reported 1,250 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 134,684 cases and 1,220 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 128,057 people have recovered from the virus.

Travis County currently has 385 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 69 in the ICU and 29 on ventilators.

11:45 a.m. – The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) updated the latest COVID-19 data as of Jan. 5: 

STATE

• Texas surpasses 4 million confirmed COVID cases
• 39,943 new cases today
  • 7-day average: 35,749 per day (new record)
    • Up 13% from yesterday
    • Up 200% from a week ago 
    • Up 825% from a month ago
• 8,129 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals …  up 669 from a day ago
  • Up 9% from yesterday
  • Up 65% from a week ago
  • Up 174% from a month ago
• 307 pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide
  • This is tied for the 3rd-most on record
• Positivity rate above 34% for five straight days … above 30% for a week now

LOCAL

• 3,898 new cases for the 4-county Austin metro
  • 7-day average: 3,399 per day (new record)
    • Up 13% from a day ago
    • Up 190% from a week ago
    • Up 1,175% from a month ago
• 363 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) hospitals … up 32 from yesterday
  • 14.7% bed availability
  • 9% COVID/capacity
• 78 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) ICUs … up 1 from yesterday 
  • 7.9% bed availability (27 adult + 11 pediatric = 38 beds available)
  • 16% COVID/capacity
• Hospital admissions up to 74.4 per day for the metro

VACCINES

• Texas at nearly 57% of the total population fully vaccinated

5:30 a.m. – Thousands of Austin ISD students return to their classrooms today. The district's superintendent says she's "very confident" that students and staff are returning to a safe environment, but parents have mixed feelings. Meanwhile, substitute teachers remain in high demand as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

As students head back to school across Central Texas this week, some districts have changed their guidelines and others have kept them the same.

OTHER COVID-19 HEADLINES:

• Parents share mixed reactions to in-person school returning
• LIST: Central Texas school districts update COVID-19 protocols ahead of spring semester
• Substitute teachers in high demand amid rising COVID-19 cases
• Austin ISD superintendent is 'very confident' students are returning to a safe environment
• Austin ISD leaders, parents hope COVID-19 testing and health protocols will keep kids safe as they head back to school