KUT Signs in the hallway of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy tell people to wear masks and wash their hands. Austin and Travis County have moved into stage 5 restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, officials announced at a news conference Wednesday. At this level, residents are urged to stay home and businesses are asked to limit capacity and operate only through curbside and delivery if possible. Austin Public Health's interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said the community had reached another "critical moment": Since Dec. 1, there has been a 97% increase in new cases diagnosed in Travis County and an 80% increase in the moving average of daily hospital admissions. He said he was concerned about hospital staffing and resources should Austin see the type of surge going on in other parts of the state.