Page 22 - Mark Escott News Today

APH, WCCHD offer more COVID-19 vaccines to educators By Carissa Lehmkuhl APH, WCCHD offer more COVID-19 vaccines to educators Right now, even if an educator qualifies for the 1A or 1B groups, it doesn’t mean it’s easy to get a vaccine right now. AUSTIN, Texas - Local health districts are stepping up to try and prioritize teachers when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations. Right now, even if an educator qualifies for the 1A or 1B groups, it doesn’t mean it’s easy to get a vaccine right now....

Area businesses, including restaurants and retail, are now permitted to move to 75% occupancy, and hospitals can resume elective surgeries. 

Elective surgeries may also now resume, according to Gov. Greg Abbotts order. Author: KVUE staff Updated: 9:19 AM CST February 1, 2021 AUSTIN, Texas — COVID-19 patients have made up less than 15% of total hospital capacity in the Austin area (Trauma Service Area O) for seven consecutive days now, meaning restaurants and other businesses can return to operating at 75% capacity and elective surgeries may resume, according to Gov. Greg Abbotts executive order. Sho...

However, Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County interim health authority, said broader distribution of the vaccine could be on the horizon with the approval of a new vaccine manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Johnson & Johnson published the results of its Phase 3 clinical trials Jan. 29, announcing a 72% protection rate in United States trials once 28 days have elapsed since vaccination. Within 50 days, protection rises to 100%, Escott said. “There are lots of benef...

If COVID cases account for less than 15% of hospital admissions in the area on Saturday, businesses will be able to raise capacity from 50% to 75% and elective surgeries can resume.

Austin remains in stage five, however, health officials said they believe hospitalization rates will soon be less than 15 percent of total capacity. 

Coronavirus restrictions in Austin and Travis County might be eased this weekend as the number of hospital patients with the virus continues to decline, according to the areas top health official. That means businesses would no longer have to operate at 50% capacity and could expand back to 75% under state law. Doctors offices could also go back to offering elective procedures, he said. Gov. Greg Abbott in an executive order last year said that if more than 15% of total hospitalizations...

Thursday 28 DONATE BLOOD, GET A FREE THUNDERCLOUD SUB Donate blood or platelets with We Are Blood to get a voucher for a free small ThunderCloud sub, redeemable through February. Appointments are mandatory; schedule online or call 512/206-1266. Through Jan. 31 We Are Blood donor centers & mobile drives, 512/206-1266. CITY UTILITY PAYMENT CENTERS TEMPORARY CLOSURES In response to Stage 5 COVID-19 restrictions, the walk-in utility payment centers located at 8716 Research Blvd. ...

A Fall in Virus Cases And what else you need to know today. Good morning. Virus cases are falling more sharply in the U.S. than at any previous point. Image A mass vaccination drive at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.Credit...Ryan Young for The New York Times The United States has never experienced a sharp and sustained decline in new coronavirus cases — until, perhaps, now. Last year, new cases in the U.S. went through cycles of rising rapidly and then leveling off or falling only modestly. Th...

Austin Public Health plans to launch an updated website so residents can more easily pre-register and eventually receive a coronavirus vaccine ahead of the next likely shipment from the state of 12,000 doses next week. Health officials planned to release another round of vaccine appointments to residents Wednesday, but the website would not be updated in time to ease frustrations regarding the process, Austin Public Health Director Stephanie Hayden-Howard told Austin city and Travis Coun...