Two Austin-area counties now at high level of COVID-19 spread

COVID-19 cases are continuing their recent rise in Central Texas, with both Hays and Caldwell counties having reached a high level of community spread, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Travis, Williamson and Bastrop counties remain in the medium level.

All five Austin-area counties reached the medium level in June because of rising transmission rates ― the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people. Before June, the area had been at the low level since the CDC began using this ranking system at the end of February.

This week, Caldwell and Hays counties reached the high level because of the number of COVID-related hospitalizations. The other three counties also have seen their hospitalizations rise, just skirting the high-level threshold.

Across Central Texas, COVID-related hospitalizations have been rising. As of Thursday, 163 people with COVID-19 are in the hospital, with 20 in intensive care and five people on ventilators. On Thursday, 40 more people were admitted with COVID-19. The seven-day average of new hospitalizations is 31 and has been climbing since mid-April when it was around 5.

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Transmission rates rising

Counties reach a medium level when they have a transmission rate of more than 200 cases per 100,000 people.

In Travis County, the transmission rate is 290.83; Bastrop's transmission rate is 341.51 and Williamson's is 392.35. Caldwell's transmission rate is 371.02 and Hays is 433.12.

Currently, it's the hospitalization rates that are distinguishing Caldwell and Hays counties from Travis, Williamson and Bastrop counties. Counties reach the high level of spread when the number of new COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 people reaches more than 10 or the percentage of staffed inpatient hospital beds filled by people with COVID-19 is more than 10%.

The CDC groups the hospitalization rates of Caldwell and Hays counties together because of shared hospitals. Their new COVID-19 admission rate per 100,000 is 12.8 and their percentage of staffed inpatient beds being used by COVID-19 patients is 5.6%.

The hospitalization rate for Travis, Bastrop and Williamson counties also are grouped together. Those rates are 9.6 new admissions per 100,000 people, and 4.1% of staffed inpatient beds are in use by patients with COVID-19. These counties are just 0.4 new admissions per 100,000 people from being in the high level of spread.

Across Texas, Travis is the only county with a major city that is not yet in a high level of spread.

The CDC updates its levels each Thursday.

What does being at a high level mean?

For areas that are classified as being at a high level of community spread, CDC guidelines are that everyone, even if you are up-to-date in your vaccines, including boosters, should take precautions such as social distancing and wearing masks when gathering, shopping or dining.

What does being at a medium level mean?

At the medium level of community spread, CDC guidelines are that for people who up-to-date with their vaccines, including boosters, taking precautions are optional when gathering, dining and shopping, but you should wear a mask when social distancing is not possible. Under the medium level, people who are at higher risk or who are not vaccinated or not up-to-date in their vaccines are advised to use precautions while gathering, dining and shopping.

“We need everyone to do their part, especially those who are at higher risk," Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, has said previously. "Wear a mask inside when gathering with others. We know that this will help protect loved ones at risk for poor outcomes and our hospital system.”

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Who can get vaccinated?

Anyone ages 6 months or older now has a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine available. Johnson & Johnson is for 18 and older. Most pharmacies are able to vaccinate people ages 3 and older. For younger kids, they can go through their pediatrician or Austin Public Health has a walk-up clinic for anyone ages 6 months and older at Old Sims Elementary Gymnasium, 1203 Springdale Road on Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Austin Public Health also has Shots-for-Tots clinics that require an appointment at texas.gov/covid19-vaccines.

Which COVID-19 strains are going around?

Currently, the BA.4 and BA.5 versions of the coronavirus omicron variant, which have high levels of contagiousness, are the predominate strains.

The symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 are persistent cough, runny nose, sore throat and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, you should get tested either through your doctor's office or a home test.

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What should I do if I test positive?

If you have a positive test, you can reach out to your doctor or pharmacy to get the Pfizer Paxlovid anti-viral pill to lessen the symptoms and prevent severe disease, especially if you are at high risk for severe disease because of age, obesity, being immune-compromised or having other illnesses.

You also should isolate for five days and be fever-free for at least 24 hours before going out in public. You should wear a mask for 10 days after testing positive.

If you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should quarantine for five days and then wear a mask for 10 days after the contact.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Two Central Texas counties now have high level of COVID-19 spread