AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This live blog is no longer updating. For updates in Central Texas, check out KVUE's Aug. 4 live blog.
KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, news in the Austin area.
Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's Aug. 3 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 430,400 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 6,800 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. An estimated 282,604 people have recovered.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 21,000 cases have been reported and at least 279 people have died. At least 18,875 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: About 4,300 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 28 people have died. At least 1,300 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 5,700 cases have been reported in the county and at least 78 people have died. At least 4,982 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Aug. 3
Updates:
5:50 p.m. – Austin-Travis County reports six new deaths, bringing the total to 285. A total of 21,549 cases and 19,266 recoveries have now been reported.
5:45 p.m. – Williamson County reports two new deaths due to COVID-19. The county is now reporting a total of 80 deaths, 5,832 cases and 5,207 recoveries.
5:25 p.m. – Hays County health officials report one new COVID-related fatality, a Kyle man in his 70s who was hospitalized at the time of his death. This marks the 29th COVID-related fatality for the county. Officials also reported 26 new lab-confirmed cases, two new hospitalizations, three more hospital releases, and 69 additional recoveries.
5:20 p.m. – The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management announces the opening of a second community testing site at Elgin Ascension Seton. It will provide free COVID-19 tests to Bastrop County residents who qualify and register through bastropcountycovid19.org or call 512-972-5560. Appointments are required.
The Elgin location will remain open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Bastrop location is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4:35 p.m. – Travis County Sheriff's Office reported eight new Travis County inmates and five TCSO employees tested positive for COVID-19. TCSO said three of the eight inmates were booked in as known positive and five were held in quarantine when tested. Three of the eight have been released on bond and the other five were "housed in Quarantine-Confirmed Positive," according to TCSO.
3:30 p.m. – U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) has written a letter to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Association (TABC) requesting it work with local business owners to create more flexible guidelines for breweries, distilleries, wineries and outdoor restaurants that have been ordered to close under an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott.
3 p.m. – With many people continuing to work from home, traffic is down in Austin. The City's Transportation Department shared data from the past week compared to 2019 that showed average evening travel times are down 18% and average morning travel times are down 6%.
11:12 a.m. – Education Austin, Austin ISD's labor union, has made a list of demands as the district considers when and how to reopen schools. Citing safety concerns amid the pandemic, Education Austin is asking the district to start school in September.
10:30 a.m. – Austin Public Health confirmed to KVUE that the Pflugerville COVID-19 testing site did not open Monday morning, but said the Del Valle location is open as scheduled.
7:30 a.m. – The Central Texas Food Bank is helping out more families in need. Leaders are hosting another food distribution event Saturday at Nelson Field from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. When you get there, just pop the trunk and volunteers will load the boxes for you.
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