AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 9 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 36,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 1,000 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The department estimates more than 19,000 people have recovered from the virus.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: More than 2,000 cases have been reported and at least 60 people have died. More than 670 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 360 cases have been reported and at least 13 people have died. More than 200 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: There have been more than 200 cases reported in the county and at least two people have died. Around 130 people have recovered from the virus.
Top Headlines:
- Some Austin parks still full while those with limited capacity see less overcrowding
- Austin-Travis County stay-home order extended again as more Texas businesses reopen
- Checklist: Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and cosmetology salons can reopen May 8 with these guidelines
- Texas barbershops, salons may reopen May 8; gyms reopen May 18, Gov. Abbott says
- Am I supposed to wear a mask now in Austin-Travis County?
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
Updates:
6:25 p.m. – Travis County has confirmed 24 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 2,095. There have been 60 deaths in the county from the virus, while 693 people have recovered.
6:15 p.m. – Austin parks that have begun limiting entry thanks to overcrowding all closed on Saturday after reaching capacity.
A spokesperson for Austin Parks and Recreation Department said Commons Ford Ranch and Emma Long both closed at 1:30 p.m., while Walker E. Long closed at 4 p.m. Commons Ford was also closed on Friday.
5:30 p.m. – Taco Man 512, along with King's Hawaiian and The Peached Tortilla teamed up to serve frontline police officers on Saturday. Officers received food and groceries as a thank you for their work during the pandemic.
5 p.m. – Hays County is reporting one new confirmed case of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the total to 204. Of those cases, 73 are considered active, while 129 have recovered. The county has received 1,919 negative test results.
3 p.m. – The latest Texas coronavirus data from the Department of State Health Services show the state had its third highest daily case number and third highest daily death toll. Meanwhile, active hospitalizations are relatively flat and the test positivity rate average has ticked up.
Texas coronavirus data for May 9, 2020
2:30 p.m. – Travis County Parks said Pace Bend Park and Reimers Ranch Park are experiencing a large number of park visitors and will be closed for the day. They will reopen on Sunday with limited capacity. This is the third weekend in a row parks have closed to overcrowding.
12 p.m. - Williamson County health officials reported the 13th COVID-19 related death in the county. As of May 9, there have been 211 recoveries out of a total of 368 confirmed cases. There are currently five people on ventilators in the county.
The 13th death was a man in his 90s.
11:33 a.m. - Hays County residents can2:#0 take advantage of free COVID-19 testing at two different sites on May 10. According to Hays County, residents must first call 512-883-2400 or go online to register for COVID-19 testing. If officials determine that testing is recommended, residents will be directed to the site in Dripping Springs or the site in Wimberley. Both locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
9:30 a.m. - On Friday, May 8, Texas recorded 31 new deaths from COVID-19, bringing the state's death toll past 1,000.
Texas reported that more than 1,200 new people have the virus, which is the third-highest number of reported cases in a single day in the Lone Star State. Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas will likely see cases increase as testing increases.
As of May 8, an estimated 19,197 people have recovered from the coronavirus, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
7:45 a.m. - As more businesses across Texas reopen, Austin and Travis County's stay home order was extended Friday, May 8. Austin's order has been extended to the end of May while Travis County's order has been extended to June 15.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Hawaii reports no new coronavirus case for 1st time in 2 months
- Store workers have become enforcers of social distancing rules
- A tale of two centuries: How today's record unemployment compares to the Great Depression
- Bastrop County judge had COVID-19 as early as February, antibody test shows
- VERIFY: The 'Plandemic' documentary is full of misinformation
- Before opening, some salons consulting infectious disease physicians for more COVID-19 guidance
- U.S. Sen John Cornyn wants legal protection for business owners who reopen
- Federal Jobs Report | Most unemployed workers are from 'temporary layoffs'