AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This live blog is no longer updating. For the latest coronavirus updates in Central Texas, see KVUE's May 9 live 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 May 8 live blog.
COVID-19 Numbers:
- Texas: There are more than 35,000 cases in the state, and more than 900 people in Texas have died.
- Central Texas Counties:
- Travis County: More than 2,000 cases have been reported and at least 59 people have died.
- Williamson County: More than 350 cases have been reported and at least 12 people have died.
- Hays County: There have been more than 190 cases reported in the county and at least one person has died.
Top Headlines:
- Jobless rate spikes to 14.7%, highest since the Great Depression
- Sen. Ted Cruz gets haircut at Dallas salon to show support after owner's release from jail
- U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to fly over Austin in support of essential workers
- Austin, Travis County to extend 'Stay Home, Work Safe' orders
- Checklist: Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and cosmetology salons can reopen May 8 with these guidelines
- Texas barbershops, salons may reopen May 8; gyms reopen May 18, Gov. Abbott says
- Gov. Abbott modifies his COVID-19 executive order to eliminate jail time as punishment
- Austin, Travis County to extend 'Stay Home, Work Safe' orders
- Texas sets record for largest gain of COVID-19 cases over a two-day period since pandemic began
- Am I supposed to wear a mask now in Austin-Travis County?
- Austin mayor Steve Adler says he's 'concerned' about second spike in COVID-19 cases
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
Updates:
6 p.m. – Austin-Travis County reported another death from COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total to 60. The county also confirmed 2,071 total cases, up 69 from Thursday. There have been 678 recoveries in Travis County.
3:40 p.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to support Texas food banks. If approved, the funding will provide nearly $70 million for Texas's network of 21 food banks.
1:15 p.m. – Williamson County announces nine new cases, bringing total to 361. A total of 208 recoveries are now being reported. Deaths remain at 12.
11:30 a.m. – Hays County announces its second coronavirus-related death, a Wimberley resident in their 90s. As of Friday, 72 cases remain active out of a total of 203 confirmed cases.The county has received 1,919 negative test results. At least 129 people have recovered.
10:45 a.m. – Austin leaders have extended Austin and Travis County's stay-home orders.
"There is not much remarkable about the new orders," said Mayor Steve Adler.
He said the order is a continuation of what was already in place, but now includes the reopening of businesses that the governor added.
Adler said he is still encouraging people to stay at home and said it's still mandatory to wear face masks. But, in accordance with the governor's orders, the punishment for not wearing face masks is that Austin and Travis County will see more cases, and that is "punishment enough," Adler said.
You can watch the full press conference on KVUE's YouTube page:
6 a.m. – Hair and nail salons in Texas can reopen Friday if they follow these guidelines.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Experts worry CDC is sidelined in coronavirus response
- Bastrop County judge had COVID-19 as early as February, antibody test shows
- Longtime Austin salon owner prepares to reopen doors with extra safety modifications
- Reopening Texas looks different around the state
- Austin woman reunites with best friend in emotional FaceTime after COVID-19 left him on a ventilator
- Austin-Travis County coronavirus cases reach 2,002, 59 deaths
- Trump praises Gov. Abbott as states roll back limits