AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer being updated. Click here for Monday's blog.
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 daily live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas:
- More than 5.3 million cases have been reported in the state, and around 82,080 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Austin-Travis County: The seven-day moving average for new hospital admissions is 42, and an average of 291 people are hospitalized. The community transmission rate is 148.6 (high) and the positivity rate is 12%. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 189,146 cases have been reported and at least 1,336 people have died.
- Hays County: There are currently 3,364 active cases, and 21 people are currently hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 51,902 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 471 people have died.
- Williamson County: Eight percent of hospital beds are available, and 4% of ICU beds are available. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 108,963 cases have been reported and at least 839 people have died.
For a look at COVID-19 data across all of the state's counties, click here.
Updates:
3:35 p.m. – Here's a look at Friday's COVID-19 numbers.
TEXAS
- 8,367 new cases
- 7-day average: 7,089/day
- Down 3% day-to-day
- Down 37% from a week ago
- Down 86% from a month ago
- 7-day average: 7,089/day
- 240 new deaths
- 82,084 total to date
- 6,071 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals
- Down 6% day-to-day
- Down 28% from a week ago
- Down 53% from a month ago
- 11.07% positivity statewide
LOCAL
- 304 new cases in the 4-county Austin metro (Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop)
- 7-day average: 432/day
- Down 15% day-to-day
- Down 39% from a week ago
- Down 89% from a month ago
- 7-day average: 432/day
- Austin-Travis County community transmission down to 166 per 100K
- Hospital admissions all the way down to 41.7/day over the past week
- 393 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) hospitals, fewest since Jan. 4
- -25 day-to-day
- 7% bed availability
- 117 COVID-19 patients in Austin area (TSA O) ICUs, fewest since Jan. 7
- -3 day-to-day
- 5% bed availability (19 adult, 8 pediatric)
VACCINES
- Texas up to 59% of the total population fully vaccinated
- 36% of the fully vaccinated group has been boosted
6:45 a.m. – The Austin Marathon will be held this weekend. And because we're still in Stage 5 of the area's risk-based COVID-19 guidelines, organizers are taking some extra precautions for Sunday's race.
Anyone running has to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the race. Masks will also be required in designated areas and spectating is discouraged.
OTHER COVID-19 HEADLINES:
- Yes, unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. can request free COVID-19 tests from the government
- Leander ISD could lose nearly $15M in state funding due to COVID-19 absences. AISD is in a similar boat
- Yes, there were more COVID-19 deaths in two weeks in January than flu deaths in the past three years
- Estimated 73% of US now immune to omicron: Is that enough?