AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 Jan. 26 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 1.9 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 34,300 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 66,209 cases have been reported and at least 641 people have died. At least 60,116 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 14,640 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 177 people have died. At least 11,863 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 30,038 cases have been reported in the county and at least 291 people have died. At least 28,088 people have recovered from the virus.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data for Jan. 26, 2021
Updates:
6 p.m. – Travis County reported another 10 deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday along with 702 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 66,209 cases and 641 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 60,116 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 572 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 162 in the ICU and 96 on ventilators. There are 36 people being treated in the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.
5:30 p.m. – The Hays County Local Health Department reports two COVID-related fatalities, a Dripping Springs woman in her 70s and a Creedmoor man in his 40s. The department also reports 158 new lab-confirmed cases along with five new hospitalizations and eight new hospital discharges. There are 563 additional persons considered recovered.
4:15 p.m. – Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David's HealthCare released a joint statement saying that the 2,473 staffed beds within all three health care systems are 74% occupied and the 483 ICU beds are 88% occupied.
2:15 p.m. – A coalition led by the Travis County Medical Society has successfully vaccinated more than 3,500 local front-line health care workers and first responders. The vaccination effort was made possible through a partnership that includes Code 4 Emergency Services, Travis County Medical Society, Travis County Medical Alliance, St. David’s HealthCare, Austin Independent School District and Austin Public Health.
12:30 p.m. – Austin Community College (ACC) has announced new financial aid for students impacted by COVID-19. The federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act will provide tuition dollars and financial relief for personal expenses, with applications opening soon.
Students enrolled in classes this semester who have been impacted by the pandemic are encouraged to apply, ACC said. Students planning to enroll may also apply.
10:17 a.m. – Dr. Mark Escott, Austin's top doctor, said during a briefing Tuesday that metrics show people in the Austin area are changing their behavior. The moving average of new cases is 577, and there has not been a second surge from New Year's Eve. The moving average of hospitalization is 586, and there are 157 people in the ICU due to COVID-19.
Twenty-eight people are currently being treated at the Austin Convention Center, Escott said.
9:10 a.m. – Austin and Travis County leaders are getting an update on the state of coronavirus in the city amid week seven of the vaccine rollout. Watch on KVUE's YouTube channel or in the video above:
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