AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For 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 March 29 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 47,000 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 78,994 cases have been reported and at least 812 people have died. At least 77,197 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 17,121 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 236 people have died. At least 16,431 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 37,064 cases have been reported in the county and at least 449 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data March 26
Updates:
8:05 p.m. – Austin Public Health says all vaccine appointments have been filled. Additional appointments will be released on Thursday.
6:17 p.m. – Austin Public Health said the pre-queue is now open and 7,000 appointments for first doses will be released at 6:30 p.m.
4:37 p.m. – Hays County reported 77 new COVID-19 cases along with three new hospitalizations and five new hospital discharges since Friday’s report. At least 17,121 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 236 people have died. At least 16,431 people have recovered from the virus.
4 p.m. – Meals on Wheels Central Texas and Austin Public Health have kicked off their mobile vaccine partnership to bring COVID-19 vaccines to older adults who are homebound or medically vulnerable. Learn more about the partnership.
12 p.m. – On Monday, the Austin Community Foundation, St. David’s Foundation, and United Way for Greater Austin announced a request for proposals (RFP) for funding to support vaccine confidence and equitable access among communities of color and other groups that have suffered disproportionately adverse health and economic impacts from the pandemic.
Austin Community Foundation and St. David’s Foundation created a pooled fund and partnered with United Way for Greater Austin to manage the grant administration process and funding distribution. Through this effort, United Way will award six to 10 grants of up to $50,000 to nonprofit organizations that can support underserved communities in accessing vaccinations and addressing vaccination hesitancy.
Community-based, grassroots nonprofits and faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply for funding. Proposed projects must demonstrate deep connections in the community and a plan for increased vaccination access for underserved, unserved, and disconnected populations in Central Texas counties (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson).
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on April 8. The application and more information is available online.
11:25 a.m. – The Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) announced there were zero new COVID-19 cases among the inmate population since last week's update. There were two new COVID-19 cases among TCSO employees.
7 a.m. – If you need a ride to your COVID-19 important, Capital Metro has you covered. They joined KVUE Monday morning to discuss their expanded coverage.
As more people are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Capital Metro sent out a reminder that the transit service is providing free rides to COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
CapMetro said free rides on all services include MetroRail, MetroBus, MetroRapid, MetroExpress, Pickup, MetroAccess, MetroBike and UT Shuttles. For customers using Pickup for their free ride, use the code METROVAX. This code will grant each customer two free roundtrips to cover both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. During this time period, anyone can schedule a VaccineAccess ride via MetroAccess for door-to-door service.
Community members using the service are asked to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccine appointment before boarding CapMetro services. CapMetro does not administer the vaccine or schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for customers.
All of CapMetro’s established COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced during these trips. Community members must wear facial coverings while on board a CapMetro vehicle. All CapMetro vehicles are cleaned daily with disinfectant, and an electrostatic product is used to ensure surfaces are sanitized.
For more information, please visit CapMetro.org/COVID19.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler also joined KVUE on Monday morning to discuss the vaccine rollout, among other things.
6:15 a.m. – Starting today, all Texans over the age of 16 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
RELATED: All adults in Texas are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday. Here's what to know
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