COVID-19 update
Austin and Travis County leaders expressed a lot of concern earlier this month about a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations they expected to be tied to the July 4th weekend. It never came to fruition, and in fact, the number of people in the hospital has continued to fall for days. This morning, there are 370 in the hospital, which is 20 fewer than yesterday. 19,952 cases have been confirmed overall, resulting in 255 deaths and 17,398 recoveries.
More Children and teens are being found with coronavirus in Travis County. Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott says that’s important to keep in mind with school right around the corner.
“The 10-19 age group is representing more than 10% of the positive cases,” Escott says.
Because of that, Austin Public Health is expected to call for a very slow, phased-in approach, to reopening schools. That will include a recommendation that no more than 25% of kids be back on campus at first and then gradually build on that number of students over time.
Austin’s mayor reacts to Texas attorney general’s ruling regarding a return to schools
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says local health officials cannot tell schools to stay closed due to COVID-19. However, Austin Mayor Steve Adler retorts Dr. Mark Escott’s school closure order was more of a joint effort with school leaders.
“The work that Dr. Mark Escott has done here and his orders were stuff that was reached collaboratively with schools. That’s really how it should work, everybody looking at the same science and data and then being governed by those things,” Adler says.
While the COVID pandemic is improving locally, they must maintain the course and be guided by the data. That’s if the city is to economically survive.
Williamson County sees another day of it’s COVID numbers moving in the right direction. 34 fewer cases active today than there were yesterday. That number today is 553, while 100 people have died and 4,780 have recovered. The county’s also reporting 53 fewer hospital patients with that total now down to 62.
Austin bars grow increasingly desperate
There appears to be no immediate end in sight for the order keeping Texas bar’s closed down. As time goes on, the desperation grows for many owners. Darren Van Delden with the Texas Bar and Nightclub Alliance tells CBS Austin, bars aren’t capable of operating just like restaurants
“We’ll do the 25%, we’ll wear masks, we’ll be responsible, we’re open responsibly, but unfortunately, we’re not even able to do that,” says Delden.
Seeking out a food and beverage certificate is one of the challenges. Some owners say it’s very difficult to meet that 51% food sale requirement without actually having a full kitchen to operate out of.
COVID-19 vaccine development
Governor Abbott has delivered some positive news pertaining to a COVID-19 vaccine and treatment. After talking with Vice President Mike Pence, Governor Abbott said he was told the development of coronavirus vaccines has been accelerating.
“There is a remote, small chance, possibility that vaccines may be ready as early as November. That’s not my medical opinion.” Abbott was also told to expect new treatments for the virus even sooner. “In the next month or two they will be able to help us continue to reduce the death rate, reduce the hospitalization rate and help people be able to more quickly overcome COVID-19,” says Abbott.
If proven safe, there is speculation a COVID-19 vaccine could be available on a very limited basis by the end of the year. Dr. John Carlo with the Texas COVID-19 task force says plans need to be made now for how this could be distributed, since there wouldn’t be enough for everyone at first.
“We’re gonna have to come up with the allocation strategies, particularly early on when we have very limited supplies on hand,” says Carlo.
Pfizer and Moderna began large-scale phase three trials of their vaccine candidates this week.
Budget talks continue in Austin
Some City Council members have recently detailed the kind of cuts they’d like to see to police. City Manager Spencer Cronk says it’s one of the most challenging budgets that the city’s ever had to put together.
“Not only are we dealing with the crisis of a pandemic, we’re also going with a very strict cold discussion around how we look at public safety,” says Cronk.
One idea from council member Leslie Pool is to eliminate all open positions at APD and cancel all of 2020 cadet classes, which could save more than $40 million.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-7-29-20
