AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates, check out our new live blog here.
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 19 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 48,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 1,300 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The department estimates more than 28,000 people have recovered from the virus.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: More than 2,500 cases have been reported and at least 81 people have died. More than 900 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 480 cases have been reported and at least 19 people have died. More than 260 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: There have been at least 235 cases reported in the county and at least three people have died. Around 150 people have recovered from the virus.
Top headlines:
- Some Austin bars preparing to reopen under Gov. Abbott's new guidelines
- Checklist: Tattoo, massage and other parlors can reopen in Texas
- Checklist: Child care centers, summer camp, youth sports programs may open under these guidelines
- Texas Gov. Abbott outlines plans and guidance to reopen bars, child care facilities, bingo halls and more
- Gyms reopen on Monday, but will look a little different
- UT researcher says hospitals should prepare for surge in the coming weeks
- Texas Medical Association expert expects to see second wave of COVID-19 cases
Updates:
6:15 p.m. – Travis County on Tuesday reported two additional deaths from COVID-19 and 58 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 2,595 cases and 81 deaths. At least 915 people have recovered from the virus.
5 p.m. – Hays County announces three new COVID-19 cases, bringing total to 238. Recoveries grow by two to 154. Active cases are now at 81.
4:15 p.m. – Here is a look at the latest coronavirus numbers in Texas. New daily cases is back above the "14-day moving average" trend line (over 1,200) after a couple days below 1,000. New daily deaths still well below the trend line with 22. Hospitalizations bounced back up, and deaths in the Greater Austin went up from three, which includes the two in Travis County reported May 18 and one in Williamson County reported May 19.
GRAPH: Texas coronavirus data May 19
4:05 p.m. – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) said it is working with local agencies to ensure compliance with the governor's guidelines when bars are allowed to reopen on Friday. The agency said it will launch an investigation if it is informed a bar is in violation of the guidelines, but "any formal action would be a last resort and would be undertaken only to protect public safety as outlined in the governor’s order." Take a look at some of the guidelines bars must follow to reopen.
4 p.m. – As the Williamson County courts prepare for reopening, the county said JP court hearings will not commence until after June 15, unless the case is considered an "imminent threat." Jury trials will not commence until further guidance has been given to the Office of Court Administration, Williamson County said.
"Each Justice of the Peace Judge and their personnel have been actively working on processes and protocols to successfully reopen the Justice Courts in their respective precincts," the county said in a statement. "Much thought has been given to the safety of those who will be required to attend court.
"Williamson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Judge Evelyn McLean said she plans to hold court remotely and defendants will be notified with instructions on how to attend their virtual court hearing. JP1 Judge KT Musselman and JP4 Judge Stacy Hackenberg also plan to hold court remotely. JP2 Judge Edna Staudt will hold court in person."
3:45 p.m. – ZACH Theatre has canceled its summer production of "The Sound of Music," the last show of the 2019-2020 season. This is just the most recent in a series of postponements and cancelations the theatre has made in response to COVID-19.
3:05 p.m. – Due to delays associated with COVID-19, the City of Austin has extended the education period for boaters in the city's slow-no wake zones around the Pennybacker Bridge, north of the Tom Miller Dam and near the Oyster Landing Marina and Walsh Boat Landing.
The Austin City Council approved the slow-no wake navigational control zones as part of an ordinance in February in an effort to improve boater safety in areas with high traffic and swimming. The ordinance requires boaters in the established zones to operate at headway speed, the lowest possible speed needed to maintain control of the craft.
The Austin Police Department Lake Unit has been conducting community engagement with boaters since Feb 17, 2020. The education period will be extended until July 14, 2020, after which a boater can be cited for violating the ordinance and face a fine of $500.
2:30 p.m. – Amazon confirms an undisclosed number of San Marcos employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Here's what we know.
2:10 p.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott has urged local governments to refrain from increasing property taxes amid the pandemic. In a letter, Abbott said, "I strongly encourage local governments to adopt property tax rates that will not result in an increase in the tax burden."
2 p.m. – According to new data from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, passenger traffic decreased in March 2020 by 52.1% compared to March 2019, with 700,655 passengers flying during the month.
1 p.m. – Eleven custodial staff members at the University of Texas have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. The university is working to track down people who may have been in contact with them.
12:35 p.m. – Williamson County officials announced the 20th death due to coronavirus, a woman in her 90s. As of May 19, Williamson County has 501 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far. A total of 276 people have recovered in the county and 16 people are hospitalized as of May 19.
12:30 p.m. – The YMCA is giving away free 20-pound boxes of fresh produce every week.
It started on Tuesday morning and will happen each Tuesday through August.
The drive-thru or walk-up pickup began at 9 a.m. at the North Austin YMCA on Rundberg Lane and at 10 a.m. in East Austin on Ed Bluestein Boulevard. It will continue for as long as supplies last.
9:35 a.m. – Austin Public Health has broken down which businesses and industries have COVID-19 clusters. Construction has the majority of clusters with 127 individuals tested on construction sites last week. Dr. Mark Escott, Austin's Interim Health Authority, said we need better testing in this community.
9:32 a.m. – There were 83 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Austin nursing homes/long-term care facilities in the last week and two new clusters in that same time period as well. There have been 473 total cases in these facilities and 47 deaths.
Check back on this live blog for the latest updates Tuesday.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Trump criticizes WHO in letter for virus response
- Phone calls offered to older adults staying home during coronavirus pandemic
- Despite more available COVID-19 tests, Central Texas county test rates lag behind the rest of the state
- These Travis County parks and Austin-area State parks are open
- 3,500 long-term care residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in Texas
- Nursing homes should be virus-free for 28 days before opening, feds warn
- Defenders Q&A: Will stimulus checks go to child support? Can baby wipes kill viruses?
- Austin-based Tito's Handmade Vodka gives $1M for COVID-19 vaccine research