COVID-19 update
Travis County saw another drop in hospital patients over the past day. There are 459 COVID-19 patients hospitalized right now, but that’s 21 fewer than yesterday. 218 people have died out of the 18,394 confirmed cases. The county has surpassed another milestone in terms of recoveries. That number is now just above 15,000.
The pendulum has swung in the wrong direction for Williamson County’s hospitalizations. 17 more people are in the hospital today than there were 24 hours ago. 77 people have died from the 4,981 cases found since March. 944 cases are still active. 3,960 have recovered, which is an increase of about 200 from just one day ago.
There is some cautious optimism today over the direction where new hospital cases are headed. Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark S. Escott says he’s very hopeful that what these models of showing will hold.
“As you can see, we plateaued for a bit through the early to middle of July, and now we appear to be on a downward trend,” says Escott.
However, there is some concern about a spike down in San Antonio that may be tied to July 4th, and he wants to keep a close eye on that here. While hospital bed space does remain ample, the challenge right now is making sure that those beds have enough staff.
New COVID-19 drug trial
A South Austin hospital is taking part in a new COVID drug trial. The only approved antiviral currently is the remdesivir, but St. David’s South Austin Medical Center is testing a new drug called marimepodib. Dr. Matthew C. Robinson says it’s given with remdesivir to very ill patients, ideally very early in the illness, to limit a hospital stay all together
“Merimepodib is being administered in a normal formulation. So it potentially would offer that as a medication that could be prescribed more easily in the outpatient setting,” Robinson says.
This is one of several trials across the nation here in Austin. 10-15 people will be taking part.
Governor Greg Abbott continues to push for schools to reopen
While addressing energy sector executives on Tuesday, Governor Abbott spoke of the necessity of reopening Texas schools.
“It is important to the health of students to be able to go to class, and that’s exactly what pediatricians are recommending.”
That’s from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Abbott did acknowledge that there is still a great deal of work to do before schools can reopen safely.
“My goal, obviously, is between now and the time when school opens up, is to gain control of good like we did back in the April and May timeframe.
Stephanie Elizande finalist as Austin Superintendent
The Austin school board has selected Dallas Independent School District Chief of Leadership Stephanie Elizande as the lone finalist to replace Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz who will soon begin a new role at UT. Two board members did abstain, while the remaining seven did vote in favour of Elizade. Austin Independent School District can offer her a job in three weeks. Paul Cruz will have his last day on August 31.
Austin RENT program
Some of the renters in Austin deemed to be most in need may get a few months worth of aid under the city’s second edition of its Relief of Emergency Needs of Tenants program. It’s also known as the RENT program. They are going to spend the lion’s share of a new $17,000,000+ budget on rent checks for Austinites making 80% or less than the median family income.
“Households that are at or below 30% median family income will be eligible for three months of rental assistance, and then households that are between 30-80% will be eligible for one month,” says community development administrator, Mandy DeMayo.
They expect to help 2,000 households a month through December. The city is also hoping to start the application process for the lottery to get assistance by next month.
Austin locals bid on Trudy’s
Longtime Austin Tex-Mex chain, Trudy’s, filed for bankruptcy back in January. The deadline to place a bid to buy the chain out of bankruptcy was July 17, according to the Austin Business Journal. The owners of El Arroyo and the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse are among those bidders. A bankruptcy court will make a ruling on that sale next month.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJL
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-7-22-20
Hosted by Author and Wealth Manager, Chris Heerlein, in-studio with Austin’s Retirement Coach, Sandra Newman. Wealth Radio provides a LIVE, interactive broadcast that guides successful families and driven entrepreneurs towards building a life of significance. Listeners can engage in discussions around key areas that are of real concern with today’s most successful families and entrepreneurs – Our Austin financial advisers help families achieve greater financial confidence and independence in retirement. Are you ready to make work optional? Click here to learn more.
