AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 14 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 42,000 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 1,100 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The department estimates more than 23,000 people have recovered from the virus.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: More than 2,200 cases have been reported and at least 72 people have died. More than 780 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 390 cases have been reported and at least 16 people have died. More than 220 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: There have been more than 212 cases reported in the county and at least three people have died. Around 140 people have recovered from the virus.
Top headlines:
- Here's when, where Central Texas Food Bank will distribute emergency food kits
- Texas expanding COVID-19 testing in prisons
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says Austin, Travis County COVID-19 public health orders 'unlawful,' issues warning
- Gov. Abbott says all Texas nursing home residents, staff must be tested for COVID-19
- LIST: Austin businesses close permanently during COVID-19 pandemic
- Austin-Travis County stay-home order extended again as more Texas businesses reopen
- Am I supposed to wear a mask now in Austin-Travis County?
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
Updates:
5:55 p.m. - Travis County is reporting 2,345 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 74 deaths, up from 2,288 cases and 72 deaths on May 13. Additionally, there are 826 reported recoveries.
5:40 p.m. - The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received more than $3 million in federal funding to provide shelter and services to survivors of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday announced. The funds will be distributed to the 78 HHSC-funded local family violence centers across the state.
"As we respond to COVID-19, the Lone Star State remains committed to supporting survivors of domestic and family violence and keeping Texans safe," said Abbott. "I thank our federal partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for administering this funding to the state of Texas, and I am grateful to the organizations within HHSC's Family Violence Program that continue to provide Texans with these crucial services."
5:01 p.m. - Williamson County has distributed more than $7.5 million to small businesses as a part of its Wilco Forwards grant program. Since applications opened on May 6, 2,673 applications have been received as of May 14.
573 of these applications have been funded. In total, the Williamson County Commissioners Court allocated $25 million for the program. Applications for the program will be accepted on Williamson County's website until June 30, 2020
4:44 p.m. - According to CommUnityCare, one in five COVID-19 tests that were administered at its drive-thru testing sites from April 26 to May 9 came back positive for COVID-19.
In total, CommUnityCare's testing sites have administered 3,593 tests, some of which are still awaiting results. Overall, the positivity rate for tests is 16.89% and the positivity rate for its tests in Travis County is 13.6%. According to the texas Department of Health Services, the state's positivity rate is 7.8%.
4:25 p.m. - Hays County health officials confirmed 2 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of active cases to 72. In total, there have been 219 lab-confirmed cases of COVID 19 in the county. As of May 14, 144 people have recovered.
4 p.m. - Texas experienced the most daily cases of COVID-19, 1,448, and most daily deaths related to COVID-19, 58, since the pandemic began. It is important to note that as testing in Texas becomes more widespread, it is expected for the number of cases found to increase.
GRAPH: Texas coronavirus data May 14
3:30 p.m. - The I Live Here I Give Here campaign said the Central Texas community donated more than $300,000 to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 3,112 donations made through AmplifyATX.org to 428 Central Texas nonprofit organizations during #GivingTuesdayNow. The top nonprofit fundraisers included Central Texas Food Bank, YMCA of Austin, Highland Lakes Canine Rescue, Hospice Austin and Common Good Community Development.
2:03 p.m. - The Texas Lottery Commission will reopen all 16 of its claim centers around the state on Monday, June 1. However, any claims will be processed by appointment only, and people will need to follow cleaning and safety guidelines. All winning scratch and draw game ticket prizes of up to $5 million may continue to be claimed via mail, according to a press release.
12:30 p.m. - Williamson County's death toll is now at 19 after three more people in the county have died from COVID-19. Two of the patients were in their 90s while a woman who was over the age of 100 died, the county said May 14. Here's a breakdown of cases in Williamson County.
12:15 p.m. - Austin Public Health officials held a press conference Thursday to explain their new risk-based guidelines in the form of a color-coded chart in an effort to help Austin-Travis County residents understand the stages of risk and provide recommendations for safety during COVID-19.
12:01 p.m. - The City of Georgetown will begin reopening some of its facilities and lobbies on Monday, May 18, under certain restrictions. That includes City Hall, Visitors Center, Garey Park and Blue Hole Park. For a complete list of which facilities and lobbies are reopening, click here.
11:00 a.m. - Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) has received a nearly $102 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to help pay operating, administrative, preventive maintenance and other costs to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19. The funding came from the CARES Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on March 27.
8:50 a.m. - Austin Public Health will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. to talk about their new risk-based guidelines for residents. The guidelines help residents understand the stages of risk and provide recommendations on how they can stay safe during this pandemic.
6:15 a.m. - The Central Texas Food Bank will be giving out food and hygiene products during a distribution at Nelson Field Thursday. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 7105 Berkman Drive. When cars roll up, volunteers will place packed boxes into the trunks of families' cars. Families will get 28 pounds of shelf-stable food such as peanut butter, rice, canned tuna and canned fruit.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Austin grandmother writes children book to help kids understand the coronavirus
- Experts build 'playbook' for the future of Texas
- Here's how vaccines are made
- Rural Texas hospitals struggle to stay open amid COVID-19 pandemic
- Rising meat prices putting the heat on barbecue restaurants
- Another 2.5 million job losses expected in Thursday weekly report
- 'Darkest winter in modern history' without virus rebound plan, whistleblower warns