AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 May 13 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 49,700 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 83,201 cases have been reported and at least 863 people have died. At least 81,664 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 18,634 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 243 people have died. At least 17,993 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 39,341 cases have been reported in the county and at least 469 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data May 13
Updates:
6 p.m. – Travis County reported 56 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 83,201 cases and 863 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 81,664 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 114 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 39 in the ICU and 20 on ventilators.
4:40 p.m. – Texas is up to 40% of the 16+ population full vaccinated. Nearly 49% of Travis County is fully vaccinated.
3:20 p.m. – Effective Monday, visitors at all City of Georgetown facilities will be encouraged but not required to wear face coverings. All city council meetings will also be returning to in-person. City leaders will be meeting in the coming weeks to develop plans to further open its facilities, board meetings, programs and public services.
All City employees, volunteers and contractors are encouraged to wear a face mask while working, but are only required to wear one when:
- Inside City facilities or vehicles and physical distancing of greater than six feet is not possible
- Whenever interacting with a member of the public who is wearing a mask
Click here for more information.
3:15 p.m. – Masks and face coverings are no longer required at Dell Diamond.
Major League Baseball released an update on Thursday saying clubs can choose to follow local mask standards at ballparks.
In accordance, the Round Rock Express will be deferring to the State of Texas, Williamson County and the City of Round Rock mask policies and lifting all requirements for Round Rock Express games at Dell Diamond.
3:05 p.m. – After the CDC today announced eased guidelines on indoor mask use, Austin Public Health released the following statement:
"Austin Public Health is evaluating the new CDC guidelines that were released today to determine how to incorporate them into our Risk-Based Guidelines as well as the Health Authority Rules. We are excited to see the vaccination efforts begin allowing for normalcy. If individuals have not yet been vaccinated, it is easier than ever to get one."
3 p.m. – Texas is now close to having 20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across the state.
According to State data, 11.6 million Texans have at least received their first dose, which is around 52% of Texans ages 16 or older. And 9 million are now fully vaccinated, which amounts to about 40%. (Note: This data does not include doses administered by federal agencies.)
This comes as children ages 12-15 and up are now starting to get the Pfizer vaccine this week. According to the State, that adds around 1.6 million eligible Texans.
2:45 p.m. – In Hays County, the no-appointment vaccine clinic at Dunbar Recreation Center will be offering the vaccine to youth 12-15 with parental consent on the evening of May 13. The Curative clinic offered at the Hays CISD administrative complex on May 13 and 14 in Kyle will also vaccinate youth, however, parents and guardians must complete a consent form and will be required to accompany their minors. Appointments are preferred.
2 p.m. – Austin ISD announces that it will assist in getting students ages 12-15 vaccinated.
“With this authorization, our middle and high school students will be able to walk into their classrooms next year knowing they have the best protection from COVID-19 possible,'' said Alexandra Copeland, director of health services for Austin ISD. “Vaccines have been the game-changer in our fight against COVID-19, and now more students will have access to this life-saving shot.”
While the district is encouraging families to contact their physicians or preferred pharmacies themselves, AISD will be hosting pop-up clinics with its partners to make the vaccine available to students. Families will be contacted through email about upcoming opportunities. Clinic dates will also be posted on the district calendar.
11:45 a.m. – Starting Friday, the Central Texas Counties Vaccine Collaborative's drive-thru clinic at the Travis County Exposition Center will offer vaccines to kids 12 and up with no appointments required. Parental consent will be required for kids ages 12-17, and the parent or guardian must be present at the time of vaccination. The clinic is open Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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