AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest COVID-19 updates, click here.
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 April 13 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 48,100 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 80,642 cases have been reported and at least 829 people have died. At least 78,747 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 17,619 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 241 people have died. At least 16,879 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 37,898 cases have been reported in the county and at least 458 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data April 12, 2021
Updates:
5:15 p.m. – Austin Public Health said it has notified health care providers through the Travis County Medical Society advising that they follow the federal recommendation to pause use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“The majority of vaccine that APH has received is Moderna, and this pause will not impact our vaccine hub operations,” said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “The limited doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that we have received has been utilized for focused vaccine operations, and our staff immediately halted its use following this morning’s announcement.”
As of today, federal data suggests more than 7.2 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the U.S. That number represents about 3.8% of the total vaccines administered.
APH encourages anyone who recently received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to contact your health care provider or local emergency department if you develop symptoms of a blood clot such as severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath.
4:45 p.m. – Austin Public Health will release more first-dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments at 7 p.m. The pre-queue will start at 6:45 p.m. If you still need an appointment, log into your account here to schedule.
3:45 p.m. – Austin and Travis County will be extending the Health Authority Rules, which are the basis for continued mask requirements, through May 18. Along with the extension come updates for those who are fully vaccinated.
Fully vaccinated individuals will no longer have to quarantine after exposure if they are not experiencing symptoms. They will also not have to wear a face-covering in a setting defined by the CDC as appropriate for individuals or groups of individuals who are fully vaccinated.
Additional updates include changes to when an entire household needs to isolate and changes to physical distancing requirements for schools.
For more details, click here.
3:35 p.m. – In its press conference earlier today, Austin Public Health said it would be working to increase community vaccination events as supply increases. This comes after APH opened up vaccine appointments to everyone 18 and up on Monday and many appointments remained unfilled.
1:05 p.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement regarding the Johnson & Johnson vaccine:
"The State of Texas is working in tandem with the federal government and vaccine providers to temporarily pause all administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. While no cases of blood clots have been reported in Texas, we are taking the reports of rare adverse effects seriously and are working to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines administered in our state continue to be safe and effective. I urge Texans who do experience adverse reactions, such as severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccination, to contact their health care providers or call 2-1-1 to receive a referral for a health care provider. Vaccines are a crucial tool to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and remain the most effective way to combat the virus in our communities. I continue to encourage Texans who wish to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to sign up."
10:40 a.m. – The State of Texas has ordered all providers to pause the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. We broke down which Central Texas providers received those doses this week.
8:58 a.m. – Austin and Travis County leaders are getting an update on coronavirus cases and the vaccine roll-out. Watch on KVUE's YouTube channel:
6:20 a.m. – The U.S. is recommending a “pause” of the administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.
In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating clots in six women in the days after vaccination, in combination with reduced platelet counts. More than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S. Read more about the announcement here.
5:50 a.m. – Austin city councilmembers and Travis County commissioners will hold its joint meeting with Austin Public Health officials to receive its weekly update on COVID-19. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m.
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