AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Tuesday'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 Oct. 18 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 3.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 67,800 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Austin-Travis County: The seven-day moving average for new hospital admissions is 18, and an average of 197 people are hospitalized. The seven-day moving average for new cases is 179. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 118,391 cases have been reported and at least 1,135 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 582 active cases, and 18 people are currently hospitalized (16 unvaccinated, two vaccinated). Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 29,290 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 386 people have died.
- Williamson County: There are 139 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Eighteen percent of hospital beds are available, and 8% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 64,040 cases have been reported and at least 684 people have died.
- Central Texas school districts:
- Austin ISD: As of Oct. 15, there are a total of 66 new COVID-19 cases (56 students, 8 employees and 2 others) and a total of 253 new exposures (246 students, 7 employees). Since Aug. 16, there have been 1,254 cumulative positive cases (1,021 students, 212 employees, 21 others) and 7,180 cumulative exposures (7,064 students, 105 employees, 11 others).
- Round Rock ISD: As of Oct. 15, there are 11 new positive cases (9 students, 2 employees) and 44 new "close contacts" (42 students, 2 employees). There have been 1,627 total cumulative positive cases (1,425 students, 202 employees) and 14,243 total cumulative "close contacts" (13,149 students, 1,094 employees).
- Leander ISD: For the week of Oct. 17-Oct. 22, there have been 0 total positive cases. There have been 1,539 total cumulative positive cases.
- Pflugerville ISD: For the week of Oct. 18-Oct. 22, there have been 0 total positive cases. There have been 1,025 total cumulative positive cases.
- Hays CISD: As of Oct. 15, there are 81 active student cases and 9 active staff cases. There have been a total of 853 cumulative student cases and 142 cumulative staff cases.
- Texas Public Schools (2021-22 school year; updated on Fridays with data from the previous Monday-Sunday)
- Cumulative positive student cases: 193,012, up from 177,176 on Oct. 3
- Cumulative positive staff cases: 35,127, up from 32,285 on Oct. 3
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 Oct. 18, 2021
Updates:
4:35 p.m. – Hays County reported another COVID-19 death on Monday, a San Marcos man in his 40s. Health officials also reported 96 new confirmed cases along with one new hospitalization and three new hospital discharges. There are 165 additional people considered recovered.
4:15 p.m. – Travis County reported two more COVID-19 deaths on Monday along with 241 new cases, bringing the total to 118,391 cases and 1,135 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 115,830 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 184 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 75 in the ICU and 54 on ventilators.
4:05 p.m. – Texas is reporting an average of 4,388 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week, the fewest since July 27, down 18% from a week ago and down 66% from a month ago. There were 35 COVID-19 deaths reported statewide on Monday, bringing the total to 67,847. September 2021 surpassed December 2020 for the second deadliest month of the pandemic in Texas. There are 4,950 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals statewide, the fewest since July 25, down 20% from a week ago and down 60% from a month ago.
The Austin metro area is reporting an average of 381 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week – flat from a week ago and down 53% from a month ago. COVID-19 hospital admissions are at 17.7 per day over the past week in the Austin area. ICU availability is at 14.6%.
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