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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Austin Public Health to release 4.5K vaccine appointments Thursday evening

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Thursday, March 18.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Friday'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 18 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 2.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 45,800 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: At least 77,916 cases have been reported and at least 796 people have died. At least 75,979 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Hays County: At least 16,856 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 234 people have died. At least 16,199 people have recovered from the virus. 
    • Williamson County: At least 36,544 cases have been reported in the county and at least 431 people have died.

For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.

Updates: 

6 p.m. – Travis County reported another five COVID-19 deaths on Thursday along with 85 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 77,916 cases and 796 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 75,979 people have recovered from the virus.

Travis County currently has 177 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 57 in the ICU and 34 on ventilators. There are six people being treated at the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.

5:30 p.m. – Texas is up to 26% of the 16+ population with at least one vaccine dose, with 2.99 million fully vaccinated and 2.875 million with at least one dose. Around 84% of doses shipped to Texas have been administered. The 65+ population in Texas is now 59.4% vaccinated with at least one dose.

Texas reported 3,757 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 2,359,556. The seven-day average is at 3,412 new cases per day over the past week – up 15.5% from a week ago. There were 198 new COVID-19 deaths reported on Thursday statewide, bringing the total to 46,077. There are 3,846 COVID-19 patients currently in Texas hospitals statewide, down 13% from a week ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 6.47%.

The Austin metro is averaging 201 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week. The metro's positivity rate average is at 3.47%. There have been 2,043 COVID-19 deaths in the 12-county Central Texas KVUE viewing area since the start of the pandemic.

4:45 p.m. – Hays County reported another death from COVID-19 on Thursday, a San Marcos woman in her 70s. Health officials also reported 67 new confirmed cases along with one new hospital discharge. There are 35 additional people considered recovered.

3:35 p.m. Austin Public Health will trial a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site beginning this weekend at the Toney Burger Center in South Austin.

3:30 p.m. Austin Public Health said the pre-queue for the first dose will open at 5:45 p.m. and the vaccine appointments will be released at 6 p.m.

The agency gave the following tips to those who fall into Phase 1A, 1B and 1C and want to get the vaccine through APH:

  • Appointments are only available to those in the 1A, 1B and 1C groups and educators and certified child care providers. If you are not able to get into the queuing system you are not eligible. If you believe you are eligible, submit this form.
  • When it is your turn, it may take you to the log in screen. If that happens, please log in and continue to schedule. You have not lost your spot
  • If you get stuck clicking "Next" this means too many people are selecting that timeslot. Please click the home icon in the upper left corner and click "Schedule, Reschedule, Cancel a FIRST Dose Vaccine" to select a new timeslot. Do NOT click the back button in your browser
  • Make sure you are scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine and not a COVID-19 test. Testing sites do not have the vaccine
  • Enable all cookies when in the queue. This will help hold your place in line if you are logged out. Cookies are small bits of information which help websites remember that you've logged in, or perhaps to store your personal preferences for that website

12:27 p.m. APH said they will post on social media 15 minutes before pre-queue is open for people needing to schedule a vaccine appointment. APH is releasing 4,500 appointments Thursday. APH usually opens the portal at around 5 p.m.

11:05 a.m. Austin Public Health (APH) is set to open COVID-19 vaccine appointments Thursday evening just days after the department's portal experienced technical issues.

8 a.m. – The mass vaccination site at Dell Diamond in Round Rock now has enough vaccines for 5,000 people. Their original goal was to have 2,000 vaccines available at the mass vaccination site. 

WATCH: 25% of 16+ Texans have gotten one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

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