AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest COVID-19 updates, click here.
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 April 5 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.4 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 47,700 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 79,493 cases have been reported and at least 819 people have died. At least 77,642 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 17,187 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 236 people have died. At least 16,551 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 37,226 cases have been reported in the county and at least 450 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data April 2, 2021
Updates:
10 p.m. – Austin Public Health says all of today's vaccine appointments have been filled.
5:50 p.m. – Austin Public Health (APH) has opened the pre-queue for first dose appointments for those in 1A/1B/1C, childcare providers and educators and all individuals 40 years or older.
12:40 p.m. – The Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) reported one new case of COVID-19 among its employees and zero new cases in the inmate population since last week's report.
11:40 a.m. – Austin Public Health announces that it will be expanding its vaccine scheduling to people ages 40+, in addition to child care providers and those currently in phases 1A, 1B and 1C. Age and risk for severe disease remain APH's top priority, despite the fact that the State of Texas has expanded vaccine ability to anyone over the age of 16 and up.
The first round of the newly expanded appointments will be offered to those 40+ this evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., as well as Thursday evening if there are additional appointments.
Additionally, APH is now scheduling second doses three to five days in advance of the 28-day mark and, as a result, it is now changing its second dose walk-up policy:
- If you are more than 28 days past your first dose from APH, and have not received a second dose appointment, you can walk-up to any of our vaccine sites and present your CDC vaccination card.
- If you have an appointment and walk-up to a different site and/or at a different time, you will be turned away and asked to arrive for your scheduled appointment.
For more information, click here.
11:30 a.m. – Starting today, the Williamson County Vaccine Registration Technical Assistance centers will be shortening their hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Previously, they were open through 3 p.m.
Williamson County will continue offering assistance with the vaccination process to residents at the following VRTA locations:
- St. Richard's Episcopal Church, located at 1420 E Palm Valley Blvd. in Round Rock, open Tuesdays.
- First United Methodist Church Georgetown (McKinney Christian Ministry Center), located at 1205 Ash St. in Georgetown, open Wednesdays.
- Northpoint Church, located at 1320 Arrow Point Drive, Unit 201, in Cedar Park, open Thursdays.
- Hill Country Bible Church, 3300 Little Elm Trail, Gym Building in Cedar Park, open Fridays.
- First Baptist Taylor, 2500 Mallard Lane in Taylor, open Thursdays.
- The Oaks in Sun City, 301 Del Webb Blvd. in Georgetown, open Wednesdays only.
For more information, click here.
8:31 a.m. – The state of Texas will receive more than 2.5 million first doses of COVID-19 vaccines this week, as well as 626,290 second doses for people who have already been vaccinated.
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