AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active.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 Feb. 24 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 2.2 million cases have been reported in the state, and more than 41,600 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: At least 74,835 cases have been reported and at least 733 people have died. At least 72,961 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: At least 16,182 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 209 people have died. At least 15,434 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: At least 34,527 cases have been reported in the county and at least 362 people have died. At least 33,250 people have recovered from the virus.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Feb. 24
Updates:
5:55 p.m. – Travis County reported another six deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday along with 237 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 74,835 cases and 733 deaths. At least 72,961 people have recovered from the virus.
Travis County currently has 304 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 102 in the ICU and 71 on ventilators. There are 37 people being treated at the alternative care site at the Austin Convention Center.
5:20 p.m. – The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Texas is at 4,037 cases per day over the past week – down 30% from a week ago and down 71% from a month ago. There were 339 new COVID-19 deaths reported statewide on Wednesday, bringing the total to 41,980. Texas has 6,738 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide, down 11% from a week ago and down 47% from a month ago. The state's positivity rate average is at 13.54%.
The Austin metro area is at an average of 195 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week, with the number affected by lower reporting due to the winter storms. There have been 1,846 deaths from COVID-19 in the 12-county Central Texas KVUE viewing area since the start of the pandemic, with 506 of those in January alone.
So far, 14.25% of Texas's 16+ population has had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The state has administered around 75% of what it's been shipped. Gillespie County leads vaccination efforts in Central Texas, with 19% of its 16+ population with at least one dose of the vaccine.
5:15 p.m. – Hays County reported 62 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Wednesday along with seven new hospitalizations and six new hospital discharges. There are 114 additional people considered recovered.
2:40 p.m. – Fayette County officials provided the following information on second doses:
"The Washington County Sub hub has started notifying people that they are scheduling for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Remember, the call could come from an automated 800 number, so make sure you respond. You can also check your status by going to Local Event - Home. People who received the first dose on Jan. 18, 19 and 20 are scheduled for this Friday, Feb. 26, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Those who were given the first shot on Jan. 26 are now scheduled to receive their second shot on Monday, March 1; please plan to be there at the same time as you received your first shot. You should receive an automated call/text message with this information. However, if you received your first vaccine on Jan. 26 and you don’t receive a call, please plan on being at the Washington County Expo on Monday, March. 1. Those people who received a shot on Feb. 2 will receive an automated message giving the scheduled date for their second dose."
12:15 p.m. – Austin Public Health confirms that data reporting efforts, which help to feed the public COVID-19 dashboards, were not able to happen last week due to the winter storms. Data entry staff could not safely travel to the location to provide data input this week causing a delay in getting the data entered. The data entry location was also out of power.
There was also a lack of testing and a lag in data reporting. Therefore, most of the data that is publicly reported this week could be skewed. As such, APH decided not to report any 7-day moving averages on the public dashboards until Feb. 27, when there will be a week's worth of data available to analyze post-winter weather.
"It’s uncertain how the recent weather events will impact the spread of COVID-19," said Dr. Mark Escott. "On one hand, we have a very effective stay-at-home measure for multiple days, which may improve the situation, however, this may lead to an increase in close gatherings with those who needed to seek warm shelter with friends, family or neighbors."
8:54 a.m. – Travis County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with a drive-thru mass vaccination site at Circuit of the Americas. A 3,000-dose trial run will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27. For more information, click here.
12 a.m. – Austin Pubic Health said all COVID-19 vaccine appointments have been filled.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: