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Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Williamson County reports another death from COVID-19

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Tuesday, Oct. 27.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 and COVID-19 news in the Austin area.

Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's Oct. 27 live blog.

COVID-19 numbers:

  • Texas: More than 867,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 17,500 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Central Texas counties: 
    • Travis County: At least 31,775 cases have been reported and at least 449 people have died. At least 30,397 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Hays County: At least 6,376 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 86 people have died. At least 5,830 people have recovered from the virus.
    • Williamson County: At least 9,479 cases have been reported in the county and at least 152 people have died. At least 9,109 people have recovered from the virus.

Updates: 

6:30 p.m. – The Austin metro area is averaging 161 new confirmed cases per day over the past week. This number is up 18% from a week ago, while testing is down 20%. The Austin metro area's positivity rate average is at 2.9%, while the hospital admissions average is at 19.1 per day over the past week.

The positivity rate average for the state of Texas is at 9.42%.

6:15 p.m. – Williamson County reported another death from COVID-19 on Tuesday along with 61 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 9,479 cases and 152 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

6:10 p.m. – Travis County reported another 122 confirmed cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to 31,775 cases and 449 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 30,397 people have recovered from the virus.

Travis County currently has 112 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 40 in the ICU and 18 on ventilators.

4:40 p.m. – Hays County reports 23 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the county's total to 6,376. Of those, at least 460 remain active. At least 5,830 people have recovered from the virus in Hays County and 86 people have died.

4:30 p.m. – Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe says bars must continue to remain closed.

"As promised, Dr. Mark Escott and I have spent the past two weeks evaluating the COVID-19 data for Travis County.  Unfortunately, we have not seen significant improvement in our hospital bed utilization or in the utilization of ICU beds.  Furthermore, with school districts preparing to allow for additional in-person learning and the upcoming weekend celebrations, we must be mindful of the increased public interaction that will take place as a result.  For these reasons, it is my decision not to open bars."

Biscoe said he will revisit this decision again in another two weeks.

WATCH: Coronavirus and early voting in Austin, Texas | Mayor gives update

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