x
Breaking News
More () »

Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Travis County reports 270 new cases

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Saturday, Jan. 30.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Sunday'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 Jan. 30 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 2 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 35,900 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: At least 68,290 cases have been reported and at least 655 people have died. At least 62,684 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Hays County: At least 14,692 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 186 people have died. At least 12,218 people have recovered from the virus. 
    • Williamson County: At least 31,271 cases have been reported in the county and at least 314 people have died. At least 29,163 people have recovered from the virus.

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

Updates:

6:40 p.m. – Travis County reported 270 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 68,290 cases and 655 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 62,684 people have recovered from the virus.

Travis County currently has 520 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 162 in the ICU and 99 on ventilators. There are 50 people being treated at the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.

4 p.m. – COVID-19 patients have made up less than 15% of total hospital capacity in the Austin area (Trauma Service Area O) for seven consecutive days now, meaning businesses can return to operating at 75% capacity and elective surgeries may resume, according to Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order.

Should Austin-area COVID-19 hospitalizations again rise above 15% of capacity for seven consecutive days, businesses will have to operate at 50% capacity, while elective surgeries would be put on hold.

RELATED: Austin-area businesses can return to 75% capacity as COVID-19 hospitalization rate improves

Austin, however, remains under Stage 5 of the City's risk-based guidelines, meaning it is recommended all residents avoid gatherings with anyone outside their own household, avoid non-essential travel and only use contactless options for businesses such as curbside pickup and delivery.

8:30 a.m. – Local health authorities are giving out free personal protective equipment from 9 a.m. until noon at the Mexican Consulate Office at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd. in southeast Austin.

8 a.m. – The Central Texas Food Bank is hosting a food distribution event at the KIPP School's south campus at 5107 Interstate 35. The event will go from 9 a.m. until noon.

WATCH: COVID-19 restrictions could ease up in Austin area

PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING:

Phone data reveals final known moments before disappearance of Texas State student Jason Landry

Williamson County Sheriff's Office rehires deputy charged in 2019 use-of-force incident

Williamson County expanding 'VRTAS' sites, adding new vaccination site in Georgetown

Hays County vaccine registration portal booked shortly after reopening Friday

Before You Leave, Check This Out