AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 March 19 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 46,000 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 78,011 cases have been reported and at least 802 people have died. At least 76,078 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 16,877 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 235 people have died. At least 16,221 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 36,556 cases have been reported in the county and at least 435 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data March 19
Updates:
6 p.m. – Travis County reported another six deaths from COVID-19 on Friday along with 95 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 78,011 cases and 802 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 76,078 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 170 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 55 in the ICU and 31 on ventilators. There are four people being treated at the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.
5:55 p.m. – Texas is set to receive more than 900,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the week of March 22, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The state is also ordering 674,580 doses to be used as second doses for people who got their first shot a few weeks ago. State officials encourage people to return to the same provider to receive their second dose within six weeks of getting the first dose.
Austin Public Health (APH) is set to receive 12,000 first doses next week, which is the same number of doses it has received for the past several weeks. Dell Medical School will receive 11,700 first doses, which is the same number of doses it has received for the past two weeks.
5:30 p.m. – Another youth development coach at the Giddings State School tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday evening, according to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
4 p.m. – Hays County reported another death from COVID-19 on Friday, a Kyle woman in her 80s. Health officials also reported 21 new confirmed cases along with two new hospitalizations and two new hospital discharges. There are 22 additional people considered recovered.
3:30 p.m. – Texas reported 2,552 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the seven-day average to 3,113 cases per day over the past week – up 3.5% from a week ago. There were 158 new COVID-19 deaths reported statewide on Friday. There are 3,752 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals statewide, down 11% from a week ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 6.29%.
2:45 p.m. – Hays County will resume on-site jail visitation starting on Monday, March 22. For more information, visit the Hays County Sheriff's Office website.
2:35 p.m. – Texas has surpassed 6 million people with at least one vaccine dose and simultaneously surpassed 3 million fully vaccinated. Both Travis and Williamson counties have now vaccinated 25% of their eligible population.
Texas's 65+ population is now 60% vaccinated with at least one dose. Texas has administered 86% of doses shipped.
1:51 p.m. – While Austin Public Health officials said they are excited about the drive-thru vaccination site pilot, they are also looking ahead to the future and hoping that in addition to mass vaccination sites, they will be able to administer vaccines at sites in more diversified areas.
11 a.m. – During Austin Public Health's briefing, Dr. Mark Escott didn't hold back his frustration with people trying to get a COVID-19 vaccine by skipping the line. Texans in Group 1C can now receive vaccines, but Austin Public Health isn't opening up appointments to that group until more people in Groups 1A and 1B are vaccinated. Still, some have managed to get their shots.
"[To those people] let me say: shame on you. We are in a public health crisis. We have a limited number of vaccines. Those vaccines should be utilized for those who need it the most right now," Escott said, adding, "Yes, it's an imperfect system. Yes, it relies on people's honesty and answering questions about medical history and where they work and so forth. But I think as, as a, you know, as a human being, we have to respect the fact that sometimes we can't be the first in line and that we have to defer those vaccines for those who need it the most because of their risk."
Local health leaders are also concerned about spring break causing an uptick in new COVID-19 cases. They said the area typically sees an increase in cases in people 40 and under after a holiday or travel time. So, if you traveled for spring break, you should quarantine and get a negative test result before heading back to work or school.
10:20 a.m. – New guidelines from the City of Austin aim to enable events to begin reopening safely as COVID-19 metrics continue to move "in the right direction”
10:05 a.m. – The Austin Public Health briefing has started.
9:56 a.m. – Austin health leaders are meeting to discuss COVID-19 vaccines and numbers at 10 a.m. You can watch in the video above when it begins.
6 a.m. – Starting this weekend, Austin Public Health is testing out a new drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site at the Toney Burger Center. APH said during the pilot, 1,500 people will be vaccinated, but the site has the capacity to expand and serve 3,000 people per day. Learn more.
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