AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Thursday's blog.
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 Aug. 25 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.9 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 54,200 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Austin-Travis County: The 7-day moving average for new hospital admissions is 79, and an average of 638 people are hospitalized. The 7-day moving average for new cases is494. Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 100,976 cases have been reported and at least 928 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 2,254 active cases, and 52 people are currently hospitalized (41 unvaccinated, 11 vaccinated). Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 24,503 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 304 people have died. At least 21,945 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: There are 239 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Eleven percent of hospital beds are available, and 1% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 50,681 cases have been reported and at least 527 people have died.
- Central Texas school districts:
- Austin ISD: As of 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 25, there are a total of 75 new COVID-19 cases (21 students, four employees) and a total of 807 new exposures (789 students, 21 employees).
- Round Rock ISD: As of Aug. 25, there are 25 new positive cases (62 students, 6 employees) and 290 new "close contacts" (269 students, 21 employees). There have been 227 total cumulative positive cases (178 students, 49 employees) and 2,484 total cumulative "close contacts" (1,960 students, 524 employees).
- Leander ISD: For the week of Aug. 23-27, there have been 237 total positive cases. There have been 488 total cumulative positive cases.
- Pflugerville ISD: For the week of Aug. 23-27, there have been 90 total positive cases. There have been 240 total cumulative positive cases.
- Hays CISD: For the week of Aug. 23-27, there have been 56 total reported new cases (23 students, 33 staff).
- Texas Public Schools (2021-22 school year)
- Cumulative positive student cases: 4,729
- Cumulative positive staff cases: 3,373
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here. KVUE is tracking COVID-19 data from five school districts in Central Texas. Many school districts have their own COVID-19 dashboard.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Aug. 25, 2021
Updates:
6 p.m. – Marble Falls ISD announced Highland Lakes Elementary will be closed Aug. 26 and Aug. 27. The school is expected to reopen on Aug. 30.
Marble Falls ISD said in a letter to parents that all other campuses would "proceed as normal."
5:42 p.m. – The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) provided the following updates:
- One youth at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex, in Brownwood, tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon. This is the agency’s first youth case since Aug. 6.
- One Youth Development Coach and 1 staff member at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, in Edinburg, have tested positive for COVID-19. The first case was confirmed last night, and the second was confirmed this morning.
- TJJD currently has 17 active cases across its facilities (16 staff and one youth)
5:20 p.m. – Hays County Local Health Department reported one COVID-related fatality: a Kyle man in his 70s. The department also reported 193 new lab-confirmed cases along with five new hospitalizations and two new hospital discharges.
6:45 a.m. – The City of Austin says that anyone wishing to comment at Austin City Council and board and commission meetings will be required to attend in-person effective Sept. 1. From that date, all council and board and commission meetings will return to pre-pandemic requirements, in accordance with a decision by Gov. Greg Abbott to restore State rules on open meetings.
This means:
- The presiding officer of the city council (generally the mayor or mayor pro tem) and chairs of boards and commissions must be physically present at each meeting
- Quorum of boards and commissions must be physically present at each meeting
- Audio testimony is eliminated. All public comment must be in person
Mayor Steve Adler has stated that council members will still have the option of joining remotely as long as the chair of the meeting is in-person and all aspects of the Texas Open Meetings Act are adhered to. Speakers may use the kiosks in the lobby of Austin City Hall to sign up to speak.
Face coverings will be required for members of the public attending meetings in person, regardless of vaccination status.
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