AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 April 9 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 48,000 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 80,132 cases have been reported and at least 823 people have died. At least 78,287 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 17,447 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 240 people have died. At least 16,775 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 37,648 cases have been reported in the county and at least 457 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
Updates:
6:05 p.m. – Travis County reported 92 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the total to 80,132 cases and 823 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 78,287 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 131 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 48 in the ICU and 19 on ventilators.
5:30 p.m. – One more staff member at the Giddings State School has tested positive for COVID-19. For more information, click here.
5 p.m. – The state of Texas will receive more than 1.9 million first doses of COVID-19 vaccines the week of April 12, as well as 605,390 second doses for people who have already been vaccinated. For a list of where those vaccines are headed, check out the link below.
4:20 p.m. – Hays County reported another death from COVID-19 on Friday, a Buda woman in her 60s. Health officials also reported 89 new confirmed cases along with one new hospitalization and one new hospital discharge since Wednesday. There are 71 additional people considered recovered from the virus.
1:15 p.m. – Pastors from nine Black churches in Austin will join medical experts from Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare Health Centers for a series of online town hall meetings about COVID-19 vaccines starting on Tuesday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
According to a press release, Tuesday's town hall will include "candid dialogue about barriers preventing some African Americans from getting the vaccine," including distrust in the American health care system. The meetings will address vaccine hesitancy by dispelling common myths with facts, according to the release.
The meetings will be livestreamed on Central Health's Facebook page.
9:45 a.m. – Texas State University announced that, while Round Rock will lift its mask mandate at 11:59 p.m. on April 22, facial coverings will still be required at the university's Round Rock campus for the remainder of the spring semester.
5:55 a.m. – Austin Public Health will host its weekly COVID-19 Q&A with its leadership team at 10 a.m.
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