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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Travis County reports another death, 79 new cases

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Saturday, March 13.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 March 13 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 2.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 45,300 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: At least 77,408 cases have been reported and at least 779 people have died. At least 75,412 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:

6:20 p.m. – Travis County reported another death from COVID-19 on Saturday along with 79 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 77,408 cases and 779 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 75,412 people have recovered from the virus.

Travis County currently has 178 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 65 in the ICU and 42 on ventilators. There are 15 people being treated at the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.

3:35 p.m. – After initially saying it would not expand eligibility in its system to Phase 1C until it had additional vaccine allocation, Austin Public Health issued the following update and clarification on Saturday:

"In addition to supporting the State’s efforts to advocate for more vaccine at the federal level, APH is working to prioritize the vaccine for more than 200,000 1A and 1B individuals in our system who have not yet received the vaccine, along with newly eligible education professionals, early childhood staff and 1C individuals.

"In the coming days, APH will make modifications to our registration platform to include the 1C population and allow us to prioritize based on 1A, 1B and 1C status. Fortunately, since the state and federal government are successfully securing and allocating more vaccine, more providers across the Central Texas region are administering the vaccine to more Texans. To find a vaccine provider near you, visit: vaccinefinder.org."

9:20 a.m. – Austin-Travis County is moving into Stage 3 of the area's COVID-19 risk-based guidelines for the first time since Nov. 18. Local officials said all of the key indicators Austin Public Health monitors to determine staging are moving in the right direction. 

Stage 3 recommendations include:  

  • Continue wearing a mask, social distancing and practicing good hygiene
  • Higher-risk individuals (those over 65 and those who have chronic medical conditions) should avoid non-essential dining, shopping and travel
  • Everyone should continue to avoid gatherings with social groups greater than 10
  • Businesses and restaurants voluntarily operate at a reduced capacity of 50 to 75%

8:30 a.m. – The Central Texas Food Bank is hosting a food distribution event at the Austin Community College campus in Kyle. The event starts at 9 a.m.

8 a.m. – The Circuit of the Americas is again hosting a mass vaccination clinic this weekend for CommUnityCare patients. 

Vaccinations are also being administered at Dell Diamond this weekend. Williamson County officials plan to vaccinate 2,000 people each day. The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and anyone who is eligible can sign up for a vaccine appointment through Williamson County's website.

WATCH: March 13 marks one year since Austin's first COVID-19 cases

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