AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates, check out our new live 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 June 22 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 111,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 2,100 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. More than 3,200 people are hospitalized across the state. An estimated 68,499 people have recovered.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 6,200 cases have been reported and at least 110 people have died. At least 4,140 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: Over 1,700 confirmed cases have been reported and at least five people have died. At least 389 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 1,200 cases have been reported in the county and at least 32 people have died. More than 650 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Texas coronavirus data June 22
GRAPHS: Texas coronavirus data June 22
Top headlines:
- Travis County Clerk employees concerned about workplace safety during pandemic
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
- Texas COVID-19 cases pass 100,000 as the number of hospitalizations steadily rise
- Austin Chamber unveils new PSA to encourage Austinites to wear masks
- Here's when, where Central Texas Food Bank will distribute emergency food kits
Latest updates:
9 p.m. – During its Board of Trustees meeting, Austin ISD said the maximum capacity on each general education bus this coming semester will be 12 to 14 students. Special education buses can hold four to 10 students depending on the number of students in wheelchairs. All buses will be cleared after each trip and at the end of the day.
AISD also reiterated that schools will be opening on Aug. 18 and the district will most likely be using a combination of in-person and online learning. AISD is also looking to give the opportunity to opt-out from in-person learning for students and families who may be at higher risk for COVID-19.
6:15 p.m. – Travis County announces 129 new cases, 177 new recoveries and two new deaths. There have now been a total of 6,339 confirmed cases, 4,317 recoveries and 112 deaths.
Williamson County announces 74 new cases, 26 new recoveries and zero deaths. There have now been a total of 1,411 confirmed cases, 698 recoveries and 32 deaths.
5:35 p.m. – Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David's Healthcare announced the reinstatement of a "no visitor" policy:
"The pandemic is an evolving situation. We continue to monitor the viral activity in the community, as well as the COVID-related hospitalizations across our healthcare systems, and we are adapting to the needs of our patients and to the healthcare demands of our community.
"In an effort to protect patients, physicians, staff and the community as COVID-19 continues to spread within our community, Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David’s HealthCare are reinstating a ‘no visitor’ policy. Our priority is to reduce the transmission risk within our sites of care. Exceptions will be made for laboring and post-partum patients; patients with disabilities or impairments or who are elderly; patients in the neonatal ICU (NICU) and pediatric units; patients requiring surgery or other medical procedures; and patients requiring end-of-life care. One caregiver 18 years or older may accompany these patient populations; the visitor must pass our previously established health-screening criteria upon entrance into the facility and must wear a mask while in our facilities. Ascension Seton will continue to allow visitors at Dell Children's Medical Center.
"While we understand the importance of having the support of loved ones during a hospital visit or stay, we must continue to prioritize the health and safety of our patients and caregivers during this unprecedented pandemic. We encourage support persons to use alternate methods of communication to stay in contact with loved ones, such as phone calls, video chats or texting."
5:29 p.m. – As of June 22, Hays County has had 1,871 lab-confirmed cases, and of those, at least 1,477 remain active with 389 recoveries reported. The Hays County Local Health Department has received 5,865 negative test results. Five people have died in Hays County from COVID-19.
5:20 p.m. – Starting at 5:30 p.m., the Austin ISD Board of Trustees will discuss the district's next budget – including money for coronavirus-related expenses. The board is considering a $1.6 billion budget, and the public has a chance to weigh in on the proposal during the meeting.
The district is set to post the adopted budget on its website on Tuesday and adopt a tax rate in August.
4:30 p.m. – The TABC announces the license suspension of a fourth Sixth Street bar due to COVID-19 safety violations, the Soho Lounge.
3:45 p.m. – The president of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) praises Gov. Greg Abbott for warning Texans about the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
"The governor is right: COVID-19 is now spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas. The governor is right: we should all wash our hands frequently, stay home if we can, wear masks if we go out and practice social distancing. And the governor is right: if we don’t do that now, we face a return to even stricter measures to protect the health of all Texans," Dr. Diana L. Fite said.
Dr. Fite said TMA wants Abbott to continually repeat his message "everywhere he can, to anyone who will listen, through any medium possible."
3:40 p.m. – The Texas Juvenile Justice Department announces that two new staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. One case is at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, in Edinburg, and the other case is at the Giddings State School. Both cases involve Youth Development Coaches. The agency is identifying any youth or staff members at both facilities who might have had contact with the employees. Those youth will be administered a COVID-19 test, and staff members will be asked to self-isolate following CDC guidelines.
Since the start of the pandemic, nine staff members at the agency’s secure facilities have tested positive for COVID-19:
- Evins Regional Juvenile Center: 3
- Gainesville State School: 1
- Giddings State School: 5
- McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility: 0
- Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex: 0
2 p.m. - Gov. Greg Abbott says at a press conference that "COVID-19 is now spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas." He said in the past few days, the state has averaged more than 3,500 new cases per day and the positivity rate has increased to more than 9%.
The governor said that closing down Texas businesses again would be the last resort in slowing the virus.
You can watch the governor's briefing in its entirety on KVUE's YouTube page:
11:30 a.m. - Typhoon Texas will host the Pfirecracker Pfestival in partnership with the city of Pflugerville on July 4. The fireworks show, which starts at 9:30 p.m., can be viewed either in Typhoon Texas or from the surrounding area. The show will also be streamed on the city's Facebook page.
8 a.m. - Gov. Abbott will give an update on the state's response to coronavirus at 2 p.m. This comes after Travis County and other areas of Texas have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Coronavirus cases surge in US, India, but slow in China, Korea
- Shakira, Dwayne Johnson highlight coronavirus equity concert
- President Trump rally highlights vulnerabilities heading into election
- Austin-Travis County coronavirus cases reach 6,210, 110 deaths
- WHO reports largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases
- Hays County reports 1,317 active COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths