AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 15 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 45,500 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 77,485 cases have been reported and at least 779 people have died. At least 75,516 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 16,758 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 232 people have died. At least 16,036 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 36,403 cases have been reported in the county and at least 422 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data March 12
Updates:
11 p.m. – Austin Public Health says it is pausing its scheduling system due to technical difficulties. At this time, no one will be able to leave the waiting room. The agency will provide an update on its Twitter account soon.
10:30 p.m. – Austin Public Health has found a workaround for the tech issues on its vaccine registration portal. Those trying to sign up for an appointment should select "Delco Center" and a time, not "Delco Activity Center."
8:30 p.m. – Austin Public Health says its COVID-19 vaccine registration portal is experiencing technical difficulties.
6 p.m – Travis County reports 184 new COVID-19 cases since Friday and one new death. Williamson County reports 150 new cases since Friday and two new deaths.
5:35 p.m. – Hays County reports 90 new lab-confirmed cases along with three new hospitalizations and two new hospital discharges since Friday’s report.
3:30 p.m. – A new COVID-19 variant has been detected on the University of Texas at Austin campus. This is the second variant to be detected on campus this year.
1:20 p.m. – Williamson County officials confirm to KVUE that emails were sent out for COVID-19 vaccine appointments missing the link to sign up. Here is the full statement:
"We did, unfortunately, send out an email that was missing the required code to make an appointment yesterday. We sent out new emails within a few hours with codes. No one lost their place in line. Some people get the email with very short notice because we are trying to fill available spots; however, people also are given different options of times for an appointment further into the future. If all the appointment options are filled, they can reuse their code for a future appointment. If that is not working, people need to please email us at covid-19@wilco.org."
12:53 p.m. – Eight new positive cases reported among the inmate population at the Travis County Jail. Two new cases have been reported among employees there.
12:20 p.m. – Austin Public Health is set to receive 12,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week, and you'll have a chance to make an appointment Monday night. For the past few weeks, APH has announced exactly when the appointment queue will open on social media. It usually opens at around 6 p.m.
A word of advice: Once you enter the virtual line, don't click the "back" button on your browser. The screen will show you how many appointments are left and where you are in the line.
11:13 a.m. – Despite the Phase 1C eligibility starting Monday, Austin Public Health (APH) officials says those people will not be able to receive the vaccine through APH this week. Here's why: APH said Friday it was going to continue prioritizing individuals in Phase 1A and 1B after learning the department had not received an increased vaccine allocation for next week from the State.
5:19 a.m. – Starting Monday, March 15, people aged 50 to 64 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, kicking off Phase 1C across Texas. Here's everything you need to know about Phase 1C.
Over the weekend, Austin and Travis County moved from Stage 4 to Stage 3 of its risk-based coronavirus guidelines.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: