AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Wednesday'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. 26 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 3.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 69,000 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 14, and an average of 152 people are hospitalized. The seven-day moving average for new cases is 118. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 119,391 cases have been reported and at least 1,152 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 569 active cases, and 13 people are currently hospitalized (11 unvaccinated, 2 vaccinated). Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 29,513 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 393 people have died.
- Williamson County: There are 115 new cases of coronavirus in Williamson County. Twenty percent of hospital beds are available, and 14% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 65,005 cases have been reported and at least 699 people have died.
- Central Texas school districts:
- Austin ISD: As of Oct. 25, there are a total of 56 new COVID-19 cases (50 students, 4 employees, 2 others) and a total of 252 new exposures (238 students, 3 employees, 11 others). Since Aug. 16, there have been 1,326 cumulative positive cases (1,086 students, 217 employees, 23 others) and 7,589 cumulative exposures (7,458 students, 109 employees, 22 others).
- Round Rock ISD: As of Oct. 25, there are 23 new positive cases (16 students, 7 employees) and 111 new "close contacts" (103 students, 8 employees). There have been 1,714 total cumulative positive cases (1,497 students, 217 employees) and 14,826 total cumulative "close contacts" (13,686 students, 1,140 employees).
- Leander ISD: For the week of Oct. 23-Oct. 29, there have been 21 total positive cases. There have been 1,608 total cumulative positive cases.
- Pflugerville ISD: For the week of Oct. 25-Oct. 29, there have been 0 total positive cases. There have been 1,061 total cumulative positive cases.
- Hays CISD: As of Oct. 25, there are 81 active student cases and 10 active staff cases. There have been a total of 907 cumulative student cases and 147 cumulative staff cases.
- Texas Public Schools (2021-22 school year; updated on Fridays with data from the previous Monday-Sunday)
- Cumulative positive student cases: 202,186, up from 197,053 on Oct. 17
- Cumulative positive staff cases: 36,951, up from 35,975 on Oct. 17
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. 25, 2021
Updates:
4:25 p.m. – Travis County reported another COVID-19 death on Tuesday along with 171 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 119,391 cases and 1,152 deaths since the start of the pandemic. At least 117,109 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 138 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 55 in the ICU and 32 on ventilators.
2:55 p.m. – Travis County, Austin Public Health and local community partners will host free COVID-19 vaccine distribution events this week.
No appointments are required for these clinics. Please check the details of events to confirm dates, locations, times, and age availability. COVID-19 booster shots are available for individuals who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s eligibility criteria. People receiving their second dose or booster shot should bring their CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, so it can be updated.
Anyone who needs the COVID-19 vaccine can also use Travis County’s online calendar and map to find vaccine events near them in their neighborhoods.
Locations & Hours of No-Appointment Operation Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Little Walnut Creek Library (APH)
- 835 W. Rundberg Ln. Austin, TX 78758
- 3 pm – 8 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Southeast Library (APH)
- 5803 Nuckols Crossing Austin, TX 78744
- 3 pm – 8 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
JD’s Supermarket (Travis County)
- 9111 FM 812 Austin, TX 78719
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
JD’s Supermarket (Travis County)
- 8807 Cameron Rd. Austin, TX 78754
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
JD’s Supermarket (Travis County)
- 6506 Decker Ln. Austin, TX 78724
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
JD’s Supermarket (Travis County)
- 6759 FM 535 Cedar Creek, TX 78612
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
Locations & Hours of No-Appointment Operation Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Delco Activity Center (APH)
- 4601 Pecan Brook Dr. Austin, TX 78724
- 9 am – 12 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Pflugerville Library (APH)
- 1008 W. Pfluger St. Pflugerville, TX 78660
- 2 pm – 7 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Sims Elementary School (APH)
- 1203 Springdale Rd. Austin, TX 78721
- 2 pm – 7 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Mendez Middle School (Travis County)
- 5106 Village Square Dr. Austin, TX 78744
- 4 pm – 8 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
Kealing Middle School (Travis County)
- 1607 Pennsylvania Ave. Austin, TX 78702
- 4 pm – 8 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
La Finca Supermercado (Travis County)
- 9616 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78753
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
La Michoacana Meat Market (Travis County)
- 2237B E. Riverside Dr. Austin, TX 78741
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
El Rancho Supermercado – Research (Travis County)
- 8752 Research Blvd. Austin, TX 78758
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
El Rancho Supermercado – Berkman (Travis County)
- 6800 Berkman Dr. Austin, TX 78723
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
Locations & Hours of No-Appointment Operation Thursday, October 28, 2021
Delco Activity Center (APH)
- 4601 Pecan Brook Dr. Austin, TX 78724
- 9 am – 12 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Sims Elementary School (APH)
- 1203 Springdale Rd. Austin, TX 78721
- 2 pm – 7 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Ambrosio Apartments (Travis County)
- 14301 N. IH-35 Pflugerville, TX 78660
- 4 pm – 7 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
JD’s Supermarket (Travis County)
- 9111 FM 812 Austin, TX 78719
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
JD’s Supermarket (Travis County)
- 8807 Cameron Rd. Austin, TX 78754
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
JD’s Supermarket (Travis County)
- 6506 Decker Ln. Austin, TX 78724
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
JD’s Supermarket (Travis County)
- 6759 FM 535 Cedar Creek, TX 78612
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
Locations & Hours of No-Appointment Operation Friday, October 29, 2021
Delco Activity Center (APH)
- 4601 Pecan Brook Dr. Austin, TX 78724
- 9 am – 12 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Little Walnut Creek Library (APH)
- 835 W. Rundberg Ln. Austin, TX 78758
- 3 pm – 8 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Southeast Library (APH)
- 5803 Nuckols Crossing Austin, TX 78744
- 3 pm – 8 pm
- Moderna (18 and up), Pfizer (12 and up)
Reilly Elementary School (Travis County)
- 405 Denson Dr. Austin, TX 78752
- 4 pm – 8 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
Tienda Mexicana Market (Travis County)
- 825 E. Rundberg Ln. #D Austin, TX 78753
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
La Mexicana Market (Travis County)
- 5717 South IH 35 Frontage Rd., Austin, TX 78744
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
Poco Loco Supermercado – Cameron (Travis County)
- 6305 Cameron Rd. Austin, TX 78723
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
Poco Loco Supermercado – Ben White (Travis County)
- 611 W. Ben White Blvd. Austin, TX 78704
- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Pfizer (12 and up)
10 a.m. – In August, Austin ISD announced it would offer a one-time incentive of $250 to eligible employees who were fully vaccinated by Oct. 15. The district also announced a new "COVID-19 Sick Leave Co-op" meant to help with sick days if COVID-19 isolation is needed by a staff member. Eligible employees who contribute eight hours of their own leave to the co-op will be eligible to use up to five "COVID Leave" days of full payment if needed.
On Oct. 26, AISD confirmed to KVUE that it had 10,874 regular staff members eligible for the incentives. Of those, 8,845 employees (81.34%) signed up for $250 and 4,262 employees (39.19%) signed up for COVID-19 Sick Leave Co-op.
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