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Coronavirus in Central Texas: Travis Co. reports 1,108 COVID-19 cases, 25 deaths; APH investigates 8 senior living facilities as coronavirus clusters

Here are the latest COVID-19 updates, closures and postponements in Central Texas for Sunday, April 19.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. To get the latest coronavirus 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 April 19 live blog.

Top Headlines:

Updates:

7:15 p.m. –  As of April 19, Travis County is reporting it has had 1,108 cases of COVID-19 and 25 people have died. 267 people have recovered from coronavirus in Travis County. 

Austin Public Health (APH) epidemiologists said they are investigating nine clusters of COVID-19 cases in Austin-Travis County as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
 
APH defines a cluster as three or more positive cases of COVID-19 at a single location. Clusters do not present a significant risk to the local community as there is significant community spread of COVID-19 across Austin, according to APH.

One cluster recognized last week was The Salvation Army, located at 501 East Eighth St. Additional clusters recognized during prior weeks that are still under health investigation are among eight senior living communities or long-term care facilities, APH said. Senior living communities include nursing homes, hospices, assisted living facilities, independent living centers, skilled nursing centers and intermediate care facilities.

The City did not release the exact locations of the eight senior living communities, but did provide the regions they are in:

  • 1 in North Austin
  • 2 in Central Austin
  • 2 in South Austin
  • 1 in southeast Austin
  • 2 in southwest Austin

4:30 p.m. – Hays County is reporting two new COVID-19 lab-confirmed positive cases overnight and today bringing the total to 127, with 57 of those affected already recovered and out of quarantine (three more since April 18) and 69 current active cases. Negative test results have been received for 707 people, six more than on April 18.

10:15 a.m. – Austin Energy says it is adjusting utility rates as many residents stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The company said it is reducing all residential rates at higher consumption levels by temporarily capping residential electric rates for all customers at 7.814 cents/kWh. It has also reduced the regulatory charge for all customers. These changes are effective immediately through Sept. 30 for residential customers and by May 1 for commercial customers.

WATCH: Lawmaker calls for details on Texas nursing homes with coronavirus

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