Page 35 - Mark Escott News Today

Caution urged as 422 new COVID-19 cases reported in Travis County The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Travis County continued to rise Sunday as the county teeters on the verge of entering Stage 5 restrictions. According to Austin Public Health, 422 new COVID-19 cases were reported Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Travis County to 45,492. There were no COVID-19 deaths reported Sunday, keeping the countys toll unchanged at 516. The 7-day average of new cases is up t...

COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, on Monday became the third-leading cause of death in 2020 for Austin and Travis County, according to the areas chief public health official. Dr. Mark Escott, interim Austin-Travis County health authority, said during a public briefing on Monday that residents should be extremely cautious this Christmas, warning that many more deaths could occur if people gather with family and friends like they did for Thanksgiving.  As of Monday night, Austin...

ATCEMS, AFD, first responders receive first round of COVID-19 vaccine By FOX 7 Austin Digital Team Published  AUSTIN, Texas - Some area paramedics and EMTs in the Austin area are receiving their COVID-19 vaccines even sooner than expected thanks to a partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. As part of the 1A vaccine distribution group as designated by DSHS, ATCEMS expected shipments of vaccinations for their front line EMTs and Paramedics to arrive in late December, with the goal of...

No new deaths were reported, keeping the Austin-Travis County COVID-19 death total at 516. The number of active cases declined slightly to 4,025 from a daily record high of 4,044 on Friday. Hospitalizations went down to 323, from Fridays total of 332. Of those hospitalized Saturday, 90 patients are in the intensive care unit and 50 are on ventilators.  The county on Saturday reported having 40,529 estimated recoveries from the virus, according to local health officials. Meanwhile, Austin...

Austins new social contract is first in nation and more top stories Austin passed a resolution last week to write a social contract. Photo courtesy of Society of Architectural Historians Editors note: Its that time again — time to check in with our top stories. Here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days. 1. Austins groundbreaking new social contract is first of its kind in nation. Last week, the Austin City Council issued a groundbreaking directi...

American-Statesman Editorial Board This week brought the most dramatic split-screen moment in Central Texas since the coronavirus pandemic began: The first doses of a long-awaited vaccine went into the arms of health care workers, who likened the moment to Christmas, while health officials warned that surging COVID-19 cases could overwhelm Austin hospitals in just a few weeks. Meaning, with limited staffing and supplies, doctors might soon face agonizing decisions over who gets life-saving care...

Christmas travel week is upon us but coronavirus cases continue to surge in Texas and across the country. Despite news of vaccines being distributed, local and national health officials are strongly making the same plea: Postpone travel and stay home to best protect yourself and others from getting or spreading the virus. Many families must have tough conversations and uninvite people from any year-end large gatherings. Theyre “an unsafe thing that can have real consequences,” Dr. Sarmis...

Over 200 providers register to distribute vaccine in Travis County By Lauren Reid AUSTIN, Texas - More than 200 providers have registered to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine in Travis County. The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Austin-Travis County earlier this week through direct shipments to local hospitals. Vaccine supply is currently limited to healthcare workers defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vaccine Allocation Guiding Principles, but vaccin...

Austin-Travis County leaders this week updated and extended another 60 days local coronavirus orders requiring face masks, social distancing and a set quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Austin-Travis County residents are now required to keep wearing masks, practice social distancing and limit large gatherings until Feb. 16, according to a statement from Austin Public Health on Wednesday. While not much changed under the extended ord...

Austin Public Health defines role as COVID-19 vaccine distribution begins. Austin, Texas – The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in Austin-Travis County earlier this week through direct shipments to local hospitals. Vaccine supply is currently limited to healthcare workers defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vaccine Allocation Guiding Principles.   “We are thrilled that more than 200 vaccine providers have registered through DSHS or t...