AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 April 29 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 49,000 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 82,257 cases have been reported and at least 848 people have died. At least 80,495 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 18,236 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 239 people have died. At least 17,406 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 38,732 cases have been reported in the county and at least 462 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data April 29, 2021
Updates:
6:55 p.m. – Hays County has announced it will hold appointment-free Moderna first-dose clinics, with the first one on Friday, April 30. All clinic hours are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
No-appointment clinics are planned for the following dates and locations:
- April 30 (Friday) – Sinai Pentecostal Church, 208 Laredo St., San Marcos
- May 4 (Tuesday) – Santa Cruz Church, 1100 Main St., Buda
- May 13 (Thursday) – Dunbar Recreation Center, 801 Martin Luther King Dr., San Marcos
Anyone who wants a Moderna first dose vaccine can simply show up at one of the above locations during the listed times. Those individuals must be able to return in four weeks for the second dose.
First-dose Pfizer clinics are being held at Live Oak Community Clinic at 401 Broadway in San Marcos on May 3 and 4, with no appointment needed.
6 p.m. – Travis County reported another COVID-19 death on Thursday along with 105 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 82,257 cases and 848 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 80,495 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 135 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 47 in the ICU and 24 on ventilators.
4 p.m. – The Hutto City Hall will reopen to the public on Monday, May 3. The Hutto Public Library, located inside City Hall, will remain in curbside mode until reopening to the public on Monday, June 7.
"After a challenging year surviving a global pandemic, we are turning the corner to better days," said Stacy Schmitt, assistant to the city manager. "We are excited to welcome visitors back to Hutto City Hall and can't wait to serve more of our community members in person."
3:35 p.m. – Fayette County said vaccines are readily available throughout the county, with 13,802 doses administered to Fayette County residents to date – 8,433 residents have received at least one dose, and at least 6,496 residents are fully vaccinated. The majority of vaccines have gone to patients 65+.
Fayette County said its hospitalization and infection rates continue to decline and local resources are managing very well with the current caseload.
2:55 p.m. – Texas is up to 49% of the eligible population vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with nearly 11 million total. More than two-thirds of that – 7.6 million – is fully vaccinated.
The daily average of COVID-19 cases in Texas is down 1.5% from a week ago and down 6% from a month ago. COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide are down 6.5% from a week ago and down 13% from a month ago.
1:25 p.m. – The Central Texas Counties Vaccine Collaborative announces it will once again not require appointments this weekend for the drive-thru clinic at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). Anyone age 16 and above will qualify to get their free first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The consent of a parent or guardian is required for anyone aged 16 or 17 to get a shot, and the parent or guardian must be present and in the vehicle when they arrive at COTA for their vaccine. The event will be held Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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