AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates Tuesday, 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 April 13 live blog.
Top Headlines:
- Austin-Travis County coronavirus cases reach 774, 9 deaths
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
- Austin couple discharged after being hospitalized for COVID-19
- Hundreds accused of felony crimes released from Travis County Jail
- Executive order regarding Texas businesses reopening could be coming next week, Gov. Greg Abbott says
- Here’s what you need to know about requesting your unemployment payment
Updates:
6:30 p.m. – Confirmed coronavirus cases in Travis County have reached 856. Eleven deaths are now being reported.
5:30 p.. – Travis County extends its stay-at-home order through May 8. The new order also adds requirements for facial coverings when leaving the house. Read more.
5:15 p.m. – Manor ISD announces that a food service employee has tested positive for COVID-19. This employee helped distribute curbside meals at Manor New Tech High School, and distribution there has been suspended until further notice. Their last day on campus was April 9. Read more.
4:30 p.m. – Hays County updated its numbers to say it is reporting 50 active cases of COVID-19. The county has had a total of 93 lab-confirmed positive cases, with 42 recoveries.
The county also reported its first COVID-19 fatality, a woman in her 80s who had been living in Buda with a relative.
4 p.m. – Hays County is now reporting 58 active cases of COVID-19, down seven from yesterday. While the total number of lab-confirmed cases is now 91, the county says 33 patients have recovered.
3:25 p.m. – Leander Mayor Troy Hill announced a COVID-19 Emergency Business Grant to help local businesses continue to exist throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applications for the grant can be found online. The City provided the following criteria for a business to qualify for the grant:
- Business must be located in the corporate city limits of Leander.
- Business must comply with all applicable zoning, land use, and other ordinances.
- Business must employ 50 or fewer personnel.
- Business must be registered with the State Comptroller’s Office.
- Business must be current on all property and sales taxes due and must show evidence of payroll taxes withheld and remitted.
- Applicant must demonstrate that a negative financial impact occurred due to COVID-19.
- Applicant must submit a balance sheet. Other financial records such as a profit-and-loss statements may be also requested for review.
3 p.m. – The Bastrop Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) has approved 62 businesses to become economic development projects, awarding each of them COVID-19 Relief Grants ranging from $750 to $9,500. The BEDC said a total of $185,000 is being rewarded to local businesses to help them recover from financial issues brought on by the pandemic. The funds will be distributed over the next two weeks.
If Bastrop's economic shutdown continues into May, the BEDC will open applications for a second round of awards. Those who received grants during the first round will be eligible in the second round.
2 p.m. – Capital Metro says it will begin using an outside company to check employees' temperatures at their operations facility starting next week. Those contractors will wear masks and gloves during the checks.
1 p.m. – The Salvation Army announces it will be temporarily closing its downtown shelter for deep cleaning. The shelter will also be reconfiguring its bed layout to improve social distancing.
12:05 p.m. – The City of Austin announced it will decrease parking access for downtown parks, district parks and neighborhood parks in an effort to increase social distancing. In addition, the Butler Hike and Bike Trail will be one-way only. These changes will begin Monday, April 13, and are expected to be fully implemented by Friday, April 17.
11:55 a.m. – Gov. Greg Abbott announced $50 million in small business loans from Goldman Sachs and LiftFund. Applications for small businesses are expected to go live Monday. The funds will reportedly be distributed in Texas through the payroll protection program. The loans are designed to be partially, or entirely, forgiven if specific criteria are met.
10:23 a.m. – Austin Public Health has set up a hotline for Austin restaurants that need guidance on how to keep their employees, customers and food safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hotline, Helping Austin Restaurants Today, can be reached at 512-978-HART (4278) Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Some local businesses selling fresh produce without the hassle of walking into a store
- Delta initiates back-to-front boarding to reduce coronavirus spread
- Facebook group food delivery drivers bring fresh groceries to community on Easter
- ATX Ballers hosting virtual basketball lessons
- Texas Psychological Association offers pro bono mental health services during coronavirus pandemic
- Abbott extends Texas disaster declaration | Here's what that means