Travis County Illness Count Passes 12K, 7 More Deaths
AUSTIN, TX — Travis County health officials reported 482 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the historical count to 12,408. In addition, seven new deaths — the same increase recorded on Monday — were blamed on the respiratory illness, raising the level of total fatalities to 151.
The statistics are found on a dashboard maintained by Austin Public Health officials. According to the dashboard, the number of people hospitalized across the county is 469, with 73 new hospital admissions reported on Tuesday from the day before.
Among the disturbing data pointing to spikes in illness rates is arguably the most concerning figure: The rolling seven-day average for new hospital admissions now stands at 74.8 — well above the 70 mark county and city officials have used as the barometer triggering Stage 5 safeguards that may include a citywide lockdown.
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"We remain in Stage 4," Austin Mayor Steve Adler assured on Twitter Tuesday evening, "though we’re very close to stage 5."
#Covid19 update July 7, 2020. We remain in Stage 4, though we’re very close to stage 5. The latest 7-day average of new hospitalizations is about 75. Review the risk-based guidelines here: https://t.co/xX6pClrA43 1/6 pic.twitter.com/KE1u4wwPUo
— Mayor Adler wear a mask. (@MayorAdler) July 7, 2020
In a separate statement, Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David’s HealthCare summarized the availability of resources across the three health care systems: 2,473 staffed beds collectively, with occupancy of those beds at 76 percent. Collectively, the three healthcare systems have 483 ICU beds and occupancy of those ICU beds is currently at 85 percent, officials added.
Health officials on Tuesday took further steps to stem the illness tide, particularly to curb the spread of illness among disproportionately affected Hispanics. Despite representing some 35 percent of the county population, Latino residents comprise 52 percent of all coronavirus cases — down from the 60 percent level that consistently stood until recently.
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To blunt the spread of illness among those vulnerable populations, Austin Public Health officials expanded its public testing sites in area that have been historically underserved. Two sites are now available for residents, with or without vehicles, to be tested for the virus. Health officials stressed there is no need for checks on immigration status — seen as a potential roadblock inhibiting robust testing among some in the Latino population.
The neighborhood testing locations are:
Southeast Branch Library: 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd., Austin, TX 78744.
Little Walnut Creek Branch Library: 835 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin, TX 78758.
Givens Park (opening July 13): 3811 E. 12th St., Austin, TX 78721.
This article originally appeared on the Austin Patch
