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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Travis County reports 7 new COVID-19 deaths

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Tuesday, July 14.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates, check out our new blog here.

KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, news in the Austin area.

Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's July 14 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 264,300 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 3,200 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. More than 136,400 people have recovered.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: Over 15,900 cases have been reported and at least 179 people have died. At least 12,300 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Hays County: Over 3,600 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 13 people have died. At least 744 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Williamson County: More than 4,000 cases have been reported in the county and at least 56 people have died. More than 2,500 people have recovered from the virus.

Top headlines:

Latest updates:

8:05 p.m. Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott orders all school districts and private schools in the county to delay reopening on-campus instruction.

The emergency order was issued in response to a growing number of COVID-19 cases in the region and is effective immediately.

According to the order, schools systems cannot reopen for on-campus, face-to-face instruction until after Sept. 7, 2020. Virtual instruction will be permitted.

RELATED: Travis County health authority orders schools to delay on-campus openings

6:50 p.m. An additional staff member at the Giddings State School has tested positive, bringing the total to 36. As of today, 74 youth there have also tested positive.

6:10 p.m. - As of Tuesday, Travis County is reporting nine additional coronavirus-related deaths. Nearly 470 people are currently hospitalized and 154 people are in intensive care units, according to the City of Austin. There have been 553 new cases.

5 p.m. - Hays County reported another two deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, as well as 56 new cases, three more hospitalizations and 51 additional recoveries. The county has had a total of 3,699 confirmed cases and 13 deaths.

1:55 p.m. - Marble Falls and Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce have announced that Lakefest is canceled. This was supposed to be the festival's first year back after a hiatus.

In a statement, the chamber of commerce said tickets purchased for the event will be refunded and the event will return in 2021.

1:20 p.m. - Nonprofit Keep Austin Fed said while some of its regular food donations have dropped amid the pandemic, its volunteers have managed to provide for people impacted by the situation.

The organization said since the pandemic began it has distributed 1,400 meals prepared and donated by Chinatown, more than 9,9940 children's and caregiver meals left over from AISD distributions, 14,100 meals provided by Keep Austin Together (funded by Travis County) and 150,000 pounds of food.

"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to minimize congregations of people, the process for food distribution has reverted back to providing people in need with pre-packed boxes of foods, primarily shelf stable meals," said Keep Austin Fed executive director Lisa Barden. "Many of our neighbors in need do not have the knowledge, time, skills or facilities to prepare meals from the ingredients we supply to them."

The nonprofit partnered with Kitchen United Mix, who provided kitchen space for the organization. Keep Austin Fed said it is looking to extend the program and is looking for a facility with an underused commercial kitchen.

Anyone who can provide kitchen space or volunteer hours is asked to contact Lisa Barden at lisa@keepaustinfed.org or Neena Husid at neena@keepaustinfed.org.

11:55 a.m. - Two more TSA screening officers at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 11 since the pandemic began. The most recent case was last at work on July 10.

11:15 a.m. - The City of Austin has released a map that shows COVID-19 test locations in Austin and the surrounding area. The map includes testing sites operated by Austin Public Health in addition to testing options for those who have insurance or a primary care provider.

WATCH: COVID-19's impact on mental health needs

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: 

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