AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 March 23 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 46,300 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 78,372 cases have been reported and at least 803 people have died. At least 76,557 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 16,945 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 235 people have died. At least 16,339 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 36,724 cases have been reported in the county and at least 439 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data March 23
Updates:
5:50 p.m. – Austin Public Health says it is looking forward to the additional vaccine supply the State of Texas is expecting. All adults can register for the vaccine through APH, but the agency says it will continue to prioritize appointments based on age and severe risk of disease.
4:35 p.m. – Hays County reports 32 new lab-confirmed cases for an overall total of 16,945. At least 16,339 people have recovered from the virus in Hays County.
3:30 p.m. – At 28.58%, Texas now rounds up to 29% of the 16-and-over population with at least one vaccine dose. Approximately 3.2 million (3.21) Texans are fully vaccinated and approximately 3.2 million (3.19) have received at least one dose.
1:30 p.m. – Gov. Abbott announces that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and the Texas Military Department (TMD) have confirmed 25 participating counties for the fourth week of the Save Our Seniors initiative.
The effort ensures that more seniors are vaccinated throughout the state. Previously, 26 counties participated in the first week and 34 counties participated in the second week of the initiative. Last week, 28 counties took part in the program. As of today, 88 counties have participated in the program.
Counties participating in the fourth round of the program are Caldwell, Camp, Crockett, Delta, DeWitt, Duval, Fayette, Hidalgo, Hunt, Jim Hogg, Kimble, Llano, Lynn, Maverick, Milam, Montague, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Sherman, Starr, Titus, Tyler, Val Verde and Zapata.
1:10 p.m. – The Central Texas VA will be offering vaccines to veterans of any age enrolled in VA health care this week. Veterans will be vaccinated based on availability. Some may experience fluctuating wait times based on demand. Veterans must bring their VA identification to qualify. Locations are as follows:
Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Medical Center
- 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive, Temple, TX 76504
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- No appointment necessary, walk-ins accepted.
Austin Outpatient Clinic
- 7901 Metropolis Drive, Austin, TX 78744
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- No appointment necessary, walk-ins accepted.
Doris Miller Veterans’ Medical Center
- 4800 Memorial Drive, Building 6, Waco, TX 76711
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- No appointment necessary, walk-ins accepted.
10:20 a.m. – Texas will open COVID-19 vaccination appointments to all adults next week, state officials announced Tuesday.
While providers will continue to prioritize older adults, all adults will be eligible to receive a vaccine starting March 29, officials said.
8:51 a.m. – At 9 a.m., Austin, Travis County leaders are getting an update on COVID-19 and the vaccine. Watch in the video above or on KVUE's YouTube channel.
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