AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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, also known as COVID-19, news in the Austin area.
Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's Aug. 28 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 597,700 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 12,000 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 26,300 cases have been reported and at least 377 people have died. At least 25,175 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: More than 5,300 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 46 people have died. At least 2,967 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 7,800 cases have been reported in the county and at least 119 people have died. More than 7,600 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Aug. 26
Updates:
6:40 p.m. – Burnet CISD confirms that there are three current cases of COVID-19 within the district.
- Burnet High School - 1 student
- Bertram Elementary - 1 student
- Shady Grove Elementary - 1 staff member
6:20 p.m. – Gov. Abbott announces that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has received federal approval to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to apply over the phone for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed due to Hurricane Laura. Applications can be submitted by calling 2-1-1.
"I thank our federal partners for swiftly approving this request and for their ongoing collaboration as we help our communities rebuild following Hurricane Laura," said Governor Abbott. "These SNAP benefit replacements will help Texans continue to provide nutritious meals for their families in the wake of this storm."
"Replacing these benefits will allow families to focus on recovering from Hurricane Laura by ensuring replacement of food lost as a result of the storm," said Wayne Salter, Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services deputy executive commissioner.
SNAP recipients need to apply for replacement food benefits for regular SNAP allotments and SNAP emergency allotments that were provided in response to COVID-19.
6 p.m. – Travis County reported another three deaths from COVID-19 on Friday along with 68 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 26,307 cases and 377 deaths. At least 25,175 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 155 people hospitalized from COVID-19, with 57 in the ICU and 35 on ventilators.
4:50 p.m. – Williamson County reported three more deaths from COVID-19 on Friday along with 26 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 7,893 cases and 119 deaths. At least 7,646 people have recovered from the virus.
4 p.m. – Hays County reported another 21 confirmed cases on Friday, along with one new hospitalization, four hospital discharges and 51 additional recoveries. The county's total number of cases is 5,631, with 46 deaths. At least 2,967 people have recovered from the virus.
3:30 p.m. – Texas State University has responded to claims coronavirus-positive students are being housed in dorms.
It said COVID-19-positive students will be asked to either go home for isolation, or, if that's not possible, they'll go to a designated isolation spot in a university-owned apartment, not a residence hall. The university said the isolation apartments are separate from other apartments. The university also said when a student is in isolation, they must stay in the designated isolation space and avoid contact with others.
WATCH: Austin mayor talks COVID-19
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: