All Central Texas counties return to low level of COVID-19 spread

Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman
·4 min read

For the first time since May, all five Central Texas counties have a low level of COVID-19 spread. That means that transmission rates (new cases per 100,000 people) have fallen below 200 in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties.

A low level of spread means that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters who are not at risk for severe disease don't need to take precautions such as masking. Those at higher risk or the unvaccinated also could decide not to take precautions.

In late spring and throughout the summer, Central Texas watched transmission rates climb into the 300s and 400s. First, Caldwell County eased down to a medium level, followed by Hays. In mid-July, those two counties reached the high level of spread. Travis, Williamson and Bastrop counties reached medium levels by July and even flirted with high levels, but never quite got there.

More:Austin ISD sees 56% rise in COVID-19 cases compared with last year

Texas fans have returned to watching Longhorn football games at Royal-Memorial Stadium. This fall is feeling more normal as all five Central Texas counties have returned to a low level of COVID-19 spread, although some area schools have seen more COVID-19 cases in the first weeks of school than in the same period last year.
Texas fans have returned to watching Longhorn football games at Royal-Memorial Stadium. This fall is feeling more normal as all five Central Texas counties have returned to a low level of COVID-19 spread, although some area schools have seen more COVID-19 cases in the first weeks of school than in the same period last year.

A high level would mean that masks and social distancing would be recommended for everyone. A medium level means that masks and social distancing are recommended for people at high risk of severe disease.

On Thursday, the CDC gave these transmission rates:

  • Bastrop County: 166.81, down from 208.51 the week before.

  • Caldwell County: 144.28, down from 261.08.

  • Hays County: No rate listed this week, but it was 205.48 last week and had been falling each week. The CDC did mark Hays in the low level.

  • Travis County: 101.97, down from 126.54.

  • Williamson County: 131.06, down from 152.57.

The counties also have been able to remain in the low level because hospitals only have between 2.9% and 5.6% of beds filled with people with COVID-19, and only have between 6.4 and 8.4 of new admissions of patients with COVID-19 per 100,000 people. This summer, 40% of the people at area hospitals with COVID-19 were admitted for a different reason, but happened to test positive. People in the hospital with severe COVID-19 cases have been predominately unvaccinated, health care officials have said.

Updated booster shots are now available to help protect against the omicron variants that spread all summer.
Updated booster shots are now available to help protect against the omicron variants that spread all summer.

Central Texas went into medium and high levels of COVID-19 spread as the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants spread this summer. Those are the same variants that are now being targeted in updated booster vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. Those were approved by the FDA on Aug. 31 and by the CDC on Sept. 1 and started being available in pharmacies days later.

More:Parents need choices to help students overcome COVID-19 learning losses

The Pfizer booster is available for ages 12 and older. The Moderna booster is for anyone 18 and older. You need to have completed the initial vaccine series and be two months past your last COVID-19 vaccination to get the updated boosters.

You can get a flu shot at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccination. Doctors are recommending flu shots this year as they are watching a robust flu season in Australia, which is usually a good predictor of what will come our way.

While the COVID-19 numbers are encouraging for the general public, local schools and universities are seeing pockets of high level of spread of the disease. Some area schools have had notably more COVID-19 cases in the first weeks of school than in the same period last year. The Austin school district reported a 56% increase in cases from the same time last year.

The University of Texas has filled all of its dormitory rooms that are reserved to keep people in isolation because of COVID-19. It is now telling students to isolate in place in their rooms and wear a mask around their roommate.

Monkeypox cases continue to slow down

The other virus on health officials' minds right now seems to continue to slow its spread. This week, Austin Public Health reported nine new cases, with 156 cases compared with 147 last week. The public health region has 206 cases, up from 185 last week.

More:Austin health leaders keeping eye on COVID-19, monkeypox as flu season nears

Austin Public Health is now working with Wellness Equity Alliance to roll out more monkeypox vaccine to high-risk groups. To find out if you qualify and to schedule an appointment, go to the Wellness Equity Alliance site, wellnessequityalliance.com/monkeypox.

People who get a monkeypox vaccination need to wait four weeks before getting a COVID-19 booster.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: All Central Texas counties return to low level of COVID-19 spread