Photo by Roschetzky Photography
Governor Greg Abbott expands quarantine requirements for some people traveling into the states and identifies possible temporary hospital sites. Now people traveling by car from anywhere in Louisiana will have to register with DPS and quarantine for 14 days, before it was only air-travel. The governor has added to the list of air travel locations that have to register in quarantine.
“They include Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois as well as any air travel from the states of California and Washington.” The governor says the National Guard is in the process of identifying locations for temporary hospitals if they’re needed, including locations in Austin.
There are now 200 cases of Coronavirus confirmed in Austin and Travis County, and recently the first death was reported. Austin Public Health says a woman over the age of 70, who also had significant health problems, died late last week. The majority of cases, though, continue to fall within the age range of 20 to 39.
The Salvation Army says a person who recently stayed at the downtown Austin shelters tested positive for COVID-19. That person is in isolation at a local hotel, but there’s a lot of concern right now because there were 19 other people sharing that dorm at the time. The shelter is isolating those people in a separate area and they will be monitored regularly by city health workers.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler still says everyone should reduce physical interaction by 90% and he’s hoping the governor will help out. He tells CBS Austin restricting travel is important in limiting the virus spread, and he thinks a statewide shelter order is the best option.
“By the time you actually start seeing the virus manifesting in your community, you’ve waited too long.” Adler thinks the cases in Austin and Travis County will peak sometime after April 13th when the local stay-at-home order os set to expire, but council could vote to extend it.
Williamson County’s total has now climbed up to 37 cases, and one man in his seventies has died. Hays County says it now has 16 cases of COVID-19 all of whom are adults in the cities of Kyle and Buda. Both account for the largest number of cases there each with five. In Bastrop County, all three of its cases are people in their thirties and over this past weekend, Caldwell County has now reported its first case.
The Austin School District is expected to announce plans and updates today to the COVID-19 response. A.I.S.D. Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz says they’re working up ways to keep kids educated while schools remain closed until at least April 13.
“April 6 is our target to have this up and running. We’re going to get it right. But we’re gonna make some mistakes along the way. And I asked you for a little grace time and I thank you for your patience.”
Prior to the Corona crisis, Dr. Cruz announced he is stepping down from his role as superintendent. How the district is moving forward is also expected to be revealed.
The Round Rock School District will officially begin at-home instruction on April 6th. Superintendent Steve Flores says this will be made possible through the use of Google classrooms and email. He says they’re still working out how grades will be assessed, and now ultimately, how courses will be completed.
With kids now working on their schooling from home, law enforcement is putting the word out about online predators who might be trying to take advantage of busy parents. FBI
Special Agent Chris Combs says it’s very easy for a bad guy to pose as a teacher, a tutor or just another student. “Know who they’re actually talking to. That they’re not oversharing. That they’re not talking to people who they’re not actually sure that person is a student.”
Combs says keeping the computer in the family room is a good idea while the kids are working. Dinner is now an option for students in the Pflugerville School District. Beginning today, those meals will be offered, along with breakfast and lunch pickups at the district’s designated locations and students do not need to be present for a parent to pick up those meals.
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-3-30-20
