AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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. 14 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 800,400 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 16,600 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 30,601 cases have been reported and at least 442 people have died. At least 29,379 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: More than 6,110 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 57 people have died. At least 5,223 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 9,000 cases have been reported in the county and at least 145 people have died. More than 8,715 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Texas coronavirus data Oct. 11
Updates:
6:45 p.m. – Due to a submission error by a laboratory, Travis County adjusted its case numbers from the past three days.
Sunday, Oct. 11:
- 30,320 total cases (121 new cases)
- 441 total deaths (no new deaths)
Monday, Oct. 12:
- 30,402 total cases (82 new cases)
- 442 total deaths (1 new death)
Tuesday, Oct. 13:
- 30,503 total cases (101 new cases)
- 442 total deaths (no new deaths)
Wednesday, Oct. 14:
- 30,601 total cases (98 new cases)
- 442 total deaths (no new deaths)
6:10 p.m. – Williamson County reported another 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total to 9,074 cases and 145 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 8,727 people have recovered from the virus.
Williamson County currently has 25 people hospitalized from COVID-19, with nine in the ICU and seven on ventilators.
6:05 p.m. – Bastrop County reported another death from COVID-19 on Wednesday, brining the death toll to 31. The county has had 1,919 confirmed cases, while at least 1,770 people have recovered from the virus.
6 p.m. – Travis County said its case numbers will be delayed on Wednesday while Austin Public Health work through an issue caused by external laboratory submissions.
5 p.m. – Hays County is reporting two new coronavirus-related deaths, a Buda man in his 60s and a Buda woman in her 80s, bringing the county's total deaths to 57. Hays County also reports 26 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 6,110, at least 830 of which are still active. At least 5,223 people have recovered from the virus in Hays County.
1:45 p.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management have announced a pilot program for COVID-19 rapid testing at Texas school systems. The program will help schools conduct rapid tests of district employees and students that have the written permission of their parents, Abbott said. Schools enrolled in the program will also receive personal protective equipment to administer the rapid antigen tests, which produce results in 15 minutes.
The pilot program will include eight Texas school systems, while Texas public and private schools interested in applying for the testing program can apply through the TEA no later than Wednesday, Oct. 28. The only two participating school districts in Central Texas are Lampasas ISD and Granger ISD in Williamson County, with a student population of around 445.
10 a.m. – Austin health officials gave a weekly COVID-19 update after the Travis County judge opted out of Gov. Abbott's bar reopening.
9:27 a.m. – Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe announced Wednesday morning that he would not authorize the county to opt in to Gov. Abbott's bar reopening amid increases in hospitalized individuals, ICU bed utilization, and ventilator use.
Here is the statement sent by Briscoe:
“Based on the memo from Dr. Mark Escott, COVID-19 continues to be a threat to Travis County. In the past ten days, Travis County has seen an increase in hospitalized individuals, ICU bed utilization, and ventilator use. As such, I cannot in good conscience allow bars to reopen at 50% of capacity at this time. The risk to our public health is too great, especially now that students of all ages have returned to the classroom. As we move forward, I will continue to work with Dr. Escott to reevaluate data collected and in fourteen days will determine if Travis County is in a position to safely reopen bars. Until then, I encourage everyone to continue practicing safety measures that will help us reduce the transmission of COVID-19.”
8:49 a.m. - Austin Public Health is planning a 10 a.m. press briefing regarding the status of coronavirus. This comes as bars across Texas are allowed to reopen if county officials opt in.
8:40 a.m. - In protest of Austin ISD's reopening policy and in support of teachers in the district, students have planned a "sick out" day Wednesday. They are pushing for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and AISD leaders to find a new strategy so there aren't staff shortages.
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