AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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 May 7 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 49,400 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 82,815 cases have been reported and at least 858 people have died. At least 81,187 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 18,561 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 240 people have died. At least 17,777 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 39,120 cases have been reported in the county and at least 466 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data May 7
Updates:
6 p.m. – Travis County reported 82 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the total to 82,815 cases and 858 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 81,187 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 103 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 36 in the ICU and 20 on ventilators.
4:20 p.m. – Hays County reported 51 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday along with two new hospitalizations and two new hospital discharges. There are 63 additional people considered recovered.
2:45 p.m. – In a question-and-answer session with the media on Friday, Austin Public Health (APH) said Austin could be downgraded to Stage 2 of the risk-based COVID-19 guidelines as early as next week.
"I'm excited to see that our cases continue to drop, our hospitalizations continue to drop, with only 105 individuals hospitalized as of yesterday," said Dr. Mark Escott, the former interim health authority and newly announced chief medical officer for the City of Austin. "Looking at the numbers and the trends, it appears that as early as today, we may enter into Stage 2 territory. And, of course, we want to continue to monitor the data and ensure that we stay there, and continue to go down. But that means a possible transition into Stage 2 as early as next week."
11:30 a.m. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could soon authorize Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents ages 12 and older. In anticipation of that, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is encouraging pediatric health care providers to enroll in the COVID-19 Vaccine Program.
"Vaccinating adolescents will bring us closer to ending the pandemic and getting back to normal," DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, said. "Starting the enrollment process now will enable pediatric providers to start vaccinating their patients soon after the FDA expands the Pfizer vaccine’s EUA [Emergency Use Authorization]."
The DSHS sent a letter to more than 3,000 pediatric providers enrolled in the Texas Vaccines for Children Program as well as to the Texas Medical Association, Texas Pediatric Society and other provider groups inviting them to enroll. Providers can start the enrollment process here.
8 a.m. – First doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are available at the Travis County Expo Center, located at 7311 Decker Lane, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. If you received your first dose at the Circuit of the Americas about four weeks ago, you're encouraged to come to the expo center on Saturday for your second shot.
5:30 a.m. – Beginning at 8 a.m., Texas businesses or civic organizations can call 844-90-TEXAS and select Option 3 to schedule a visit from a state mobile vaccine team to vaccinate employees, visitors or members. Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), and the Texas Military Department announced the launch of the phone line Thursday.
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