COVID-19 update
The signs of hope continue as Travis County’s coronavirus numbers keep heading south. Austin Public Health says 574 people are hospitalized this morning. That’s 15 less than was reported Friday morning, heading into the weekend. 167 people in the ICU, that number is unchanged. Nearly 300 fewer active cases today. That number stands at 5,644. Overall, 64,963 cases confirmed with 58,694 recoveries.
In Williamson County, the total number of active cases has fallen over the weekend down to 2,079. Available hospital bed space has grown slightly along with available ICU space. The county has confirmed a total of 28,979 cases, resulting in 26,617 recoveries.
Austin Public Health is getting 12,000 more doses of vaccine this week. Mayor Steve Adler says he has sent word to the White House that Austin does have the capability to vaccinate many more people.
“We’re trying to get out the vaccine as much as we can. I hear the frustration, especially those who are one be over 65 who are eligible for the vaccine but can’t find it,”
He says only about 2% of the eligible population has gotten the vaccine so far, but even with the slow rollout, he is optimistic most anyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get one by this summer. As Austin works its way to 70% vaccination rates. Health leaders say there will be benefits. Travis County Health Authority Mark Escott says getting to those benefits is another reason why they’re focusing so hard on people in the 1B category. Escott says the risk won’t fully dissipate until around March-April. Adding masking and social distancing will still be needed even after that.
Campuses back open
Campuses are back open today in the Austin school district after being kept closed for the past couple of weeks. A district spokesman Eddie Villa says returning today is entirely optional.
“Families can still learn remotely if they choose to, as that is an option throughout the whole school year,” says Villa.
Despite some concern from parents about that decision, Villa says there’s been significant improvement in coronavirus numbers district wide, including the positivity rate for testing. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde says that decision was made after careful consideration with Austin Public Health.
Rapid testing for small businesses
Governor Greg Abbott’s pilot program for COVID rapid testing frontline small business employees has been very successful. So much so, it’s now going statewide.
“Our most recent survey of our small business owners expect business conditions to decline,” says Annie Spilman with the Texas chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business.
They’re concerned about another government mandated business closure. Annie says employers being able to rapid test employees will hopefully keep them open.
“Whereas before it was only in five regional areas of the state. Now, any business in the state can go through their chambers to get these free, rapid tests. So that’s great news,” Spilman says.
Governor Abbott says expanding rapid testing will help further detect and mitigate the virus.
Samsung coming to Austin
Samsung looks to be planning a major expansion in Austin. According to Bloomberg, Samsung is in the talks to build a $10 billion chip making plant and could actually break ground sometime this year. If so, the plant could be up and running by 2023.
Austin’s HEAL
Some Austin City Council members this week will introduce another effort aimed at homelessness. It’s called HEAL or the Homeless Encampment Assistance Link, which directs the city manager to implement a housing focused initiative rapidly connecting people with services and removing them from dangerous campsites near busy streets. The plan is to have specific locations prioritized within no more than six months.
Vandals hit Austin admin buildings
Two Travis County Administrative buildings were hit by vandals over the weekend. Travis County Sheriff’s Office says both the Precinct 5 Constable’s Office on Guadalupe and the Ned Granger building on West 11th were hit. Some graffiti was left behind. The glass on the multiple windows and doors were broken in.
New soccer stadium
An official ribbon cutting cutting ceremony is scheduled for later this morning at the new soccer stadium in North Austin. During the ceremony, officials with the team will also reveal the name for the stadium. The naming rights are expected to involve a local Austin company. A season is tentatively scheduled to begin in March, but ongoing union debates over labor agreements could delay that.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-1-25-21
