AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated.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. 14 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 513,500 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 9,200 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 23,800 cases have been reported and at least 332 people have died. At least 22,481 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: More than 5,100 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 41 people have died. At least 2,421 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 7,300 cases have been reported in the county and at least 102 people have died. More than 5,800 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Aug. 14
Updates:
7 p.m. – The Austin-Travis County Health Authority has released new COVID-19 emergency rules. The new rules take effect on Aug. 14 and include Austin Public Health guidance for school reopenings. The school guidelines were created in collaboration with the school district and community leaders.
6:40 p.m. – Austin has extended its stay-home order until Dec. 15. The order extends requirements for face coverings, social distancing and gatherings no greater than 10 people. It also offers guidance for schools reopening based on the City's five-stage risk-level.
6:15 p.m. – Travis County reported another four deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, along with 152 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 23,870 cases and 332 deaths. At least 22,481 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County has 236 people hospitalized from the virus, with 89 in the ICU and 60 on ventilators.
5:30 p.m. – Williamson County reported another three deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the death toll to 102. The county also recorded 182 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 7,330. At least 5,896 people have recovered from the virus.
5:15 p.m. – An update on the hospital capacity for Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David's HealthCare shows the 2,473 staffed beds within all three health care systems are 75% occupied and the 483 ICU beds are 80% occupied.
4:50 p.m. – Hays County reported another three deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total to 41. There were eight new confirmed cases and 29 additional recoveries, bringing the total to 5,111 cases and 2,421 recovered. Sixteen people are currently hospitalized with the virus in Hays County.
4:45 p.m. – Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe extended the county's disaster declaration on Friday until Dec. 15. The order extends the mandatory use of face coverings in public and limits gatherings to no more than 10 people.
3:35 p.m. – Capital Metro said most of its services will return to regular service levels starting on Sunday, Aug. 16. Certain routes will operate more often than usual to allow for social distancing. Those include Route 1 North Lamar/South Congress, Route 7 Duval/Dove Springs, Route 10 South 1st/Red River, Route 20 Manor Road/Riverside and Route 300 Springdale/Oltorf.
CapMetro said most University of Texas Shuttle services will be reinstated, with the exception of Route 680 North Riverside/Lakeshore, Route 681 Intramural Fields/Far West and Route 682 40 Acres/East Campus.
MetroRail will operate a similar schedule to what has been in place since March, CapMetro said, and Route 455 Leander/Lakeline Shuttle will be removed from service. All Night Owl and E-bus service will remain suspended, along with some MetroExpress routes, including Route 980 North MoPac Express, Route 981 Oak Knoll Express and Route 987 Leander/Lakeline Express.
For more details visit the CapMetro website.
3:20 p.m. – The Texas Juvenile Justice Department said one youth at the Giddings State School tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday night. Since the start of the pandemic, 40 staff members and 83 youth at Giddings State School have gotten COVID-19.
3 p.m. – The City of Round Rock has officially rescheduled its May election for Nov. 3. The council voted last night on the new date.
The May election was delayed because of the pandemic. Council wanted to push it to May of next year, but the state attorney general said it had to be in November.
Round Rock voters will weigh in on issues, including three city council seats.
10:05 a.m. – San Marcos teachers, students and community members are rallying for safer options for the 2020 school year.
10 a.m. – Texas bar owners and supporters are scheduled to protest for three hours at the TABC headquarters in northwest Austin at noon.
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