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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Austin Public health not yet expanding to Phase 1C

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Friday, March 12.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Saturday'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 March 12 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 2.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 45,100 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: At least 77,329 cases have been reported and at least 778 people have died. At least 75,333 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Hays County: At least 16,668 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 232 people have died. At least 15,990 people have recovered from the virus. 
    • Williamson County: At least 36,253 cases have been reported in the county and at least 420 people have died. 

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

Updates:

7 p.m. – After the DSHS this week announced that Phase 1C will begin Monday, March 15, by expanding vaccine access to people ages 50-64, Austin Public Health released the following statement:

"Austin Public Health is going to continue to prioritize individuals who are in Phase 1A or 1B after learning that we have not received an increased vaccine allocation for next week from the state. Once we have additional vaccine, we will consider expanding eligibility in our system to Phase 1C."

RELATED: Phase 1C will begin in Texas by adding vaccine eligibility to those 50 and up

6:20 p.m. – Texas has now surpassed 5 million people with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The state is up to 22.5% of the estimated 16+ population in Texas with at least one dose – 2.7 million fully vaccinated, with 2.4 million who have had one dose. Just over 2 million of those are 65+, while just over 3 million are 16-64. Texas has administered 85% of what has been shipped to the state as of Friday.

6:15 p.m. – Travis County reported another death from COVID-19 on Friday along with 98 new confirmed cases, brining the total to 77,329 cases and 778 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 75,333 have recovered from the virus.

Travis County currently has 197 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 69 in the ICU and 39 on ventilators. There are 20 people being treated at the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.

4:50 p.m. – Texas reported 4,650 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the total to 2,338,763. The seven-day average is at 3,007 new cases per day over the past week, which is down 28% from a week ago. The state reported 212 new COVID-19 deaths on Friday, bringing the total to 45,318. There are 4,229 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals statewide, down 16.5% from a week ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 7.29%.

The Austin metro area is reporting an average 218 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week. The area's positivity rate average is at 2.85%. There have been 2,004 deaths in the 12-county Central Texas KVUE viewing area since the start of the pandemic.

4:15 p.m. – Hays County reported another COVID-19 death on Friday, a Buda man in his 50s. Health officials also reported 17 new confirmed cases along with one new hospital discharge. There are 43 additional people considered recovered.

4:10 p.m. – The state of Texas will receive more than 800,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccines the week of March 15, as well as 578,320 second doses for people who have already been vaccinated.

More than 656,000 vaccine doses will be shipped to 445 providers across Texas, including an additional 200,000 doses for pharmacy locations and federally qualified health centers directly from the federal government as Texas vaccinates individuals in Phases 1A, 1B and 1C.

This week is the 14th week of vaccination against the coronavirus in Texas.

RELATED: Texas to receive more than 800,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week

11:20 a.m. – All of the vaccine appointment slots have been filled at Dell Diamond for today. A Curative spokesperson said slots should open soon for appointments on Saturday and Sunday.

RELATED: Dell Diamond opening as vaccination site in Round Rock

10:20 a.m. – Cristin Meehan, Curative's director of vaccine distribution in Texas, said that as of 10 a.m., there were less than 100 available spots still open to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose at Dell Diamond today.

Most of the appointment times are around lunchtime, so people are encouraged to sign up quickly if they wish to receive a vaccine today. Meehan said the site will likely cut people off from signing up for an appointment if it is within 30 minutes of the appointment time. 

To receive a shot at Dell Diamond, you must first register for Williamson County's waitlist on the county's website.

6:30 a.m. – Dell Diamond in Round Rock opens as a COVID-19 vaccination site. Williamson County plans to vaccinate 2,000 Texans at the site every day. 

The site is open to any eligible Texans, but you must register for the waitlist through Williamson County's website.

The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday of this weekend. After that, it will transition to being open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the foreseeable future.

When you show up for your appointment, the registration area is in the northwest parking lot. Shots will be administered in the east parking lot.

WATCH: Mask mandate battle continues as more visitors expected for spring break

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