AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 Nov. 16 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 1 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 19,500 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 34,769 cases have been reported and at least 466 people have died. At least 32,328 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 6,720 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 92 people have died. At least 6,026 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 11,016 cases have been reported in the county and at least 158 people have died. At least 10,518 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data for Nov. 16
Updates:
8:35 p.m. – Round Rock ISD said Stony Point High School will temporarily close its campus, effective immediately, due to the number of positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts. The school district said students will continue learning remotely through Monday, Nov. 30 and the campus will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 1. All extracurricular activities will be suspended during this time.
7:45 p.m. – Flix Brewhouse in Round Rock will be closing in all capacities until further notice due to COVID-19. Click here for more information.
6:40 p.m. – For the first time on Monday, Texas went over 100,000 COVID-19 tests per day in the seven-day average.
6:30 p.m. – The Austin metro area averaged more than 300 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week and is up 49% from a week ago. The positivity rate average for the area is at 4.2%. There have been 868 deaths from COVID-19 in the Central Texas 12-county KVUE viewing area since the start of the pandemic.
6 p.m. – Austin-Travis County health authorities are now reporting a total of 34,769 cases, 32,328 recoveries and 466 deaths.
5:15 p.m. – Hays County reports one new COVID-19 fatality, a Kyle man in his 60s, and 104 new cases. There have now been a total of 6,720 confirmed cases, 6,026 recoveries and 92 deaths.
Meanwhile, Williamson County is now reporting a total of 11,016 confirmed cases, 10,518 recoveries and 158 deaths.
1 p.m. – Llano ISD announces that it will be moving to remote learning starting Tuesday. The full letter to families can be read below:
Llano ISD families,
As a district we have been monitoring closely the Covid-19 situation in our community. As you all are aware, when making decisions we have to consider our staff and student's safety first and foremost. We have determined that it is in the best interest of our staff and students to shift all instruction on all campuses to a remote learning environment.
We will begin asynchronous remote learning Tuesday, November 17th. We will continue asynchronous remote learning through the remainder of this week. It is imperative that student’s login to their classes through Google Classroom and complete their assignments daily. Additional information on expectations for remote learning will be communicated to you by your campus principal. Staff will be available via email if you have any questions or concerns.
Drive thru meals will be available each day this week (Tuesday-Friday) from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at Llano Elementary and Packsaddle Elementary for all students age 0-18 free of charge.
LISD students will be allowed to participate in UIL activities while learning remotely.
Thank you for making a difference and keeping the safety and education of our students a priority during this difficult time. Please plan to use this time to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.
Mac Edwards
Llano ISD Superintendent
12 p.m. – The Travis County Sheriff's Office reports five new cases among employees, bringing the total to 87. The total positive cases for inmates since the beginning of the pandemic remains at 51.
11:40 a.m. – The University of Texas announces a new online tool to help families and school leaders estimate how many infected people are likely to show up at a school on a given day anywhere in the U.S.
This free, interactive dashboard was produced by UT's COVID-19 Modeling Consortium.
11:30 a.m. – The Palmer Events Center in Austin will be hosting free drive-thru testing Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit curative.com to schedule an appointment.
7 a.m. – Mayor Adler joined KVUE Daybreak to talk about the steady rise of COVID-19 cases in the Austin area, the troubles of contact tracing and resources available to enroll in the Affordable Care Act. Listen to his interview with KVUE's Yvonne Nava below:
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