AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates, check out our new blog here.
KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, news in the Austin area.
Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's Sept. 15 live blog.
COVID-19 numbers:
- Texas: More than 663,400 cases have been reported in the state, and more than 14,200 people in Texas have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Central Texas counties:
- Travis County: Over 27,700 cases have been reported and at least 403 people have died. At least 26,633 people have recovered from the virus.
- Hays County: More than 5,600 confirmed cases have been reported and at least 52 people have died. At least 3,768 people have recovered from the virus.
- Williamson County: More than 8,200 cases have been reported in the county and at least 134 people have died. More than 7,933 people have recovered from the virus.
GRAPHS: Coronavirus data Sept. 15
Updates:
6 p.m. – Austin-Travis County health leaders add 185 new cases and 5 more deaths. There have now been a total of 27,961 cases, 412 deaths and 26,829 recoveries.
5:30 p.m. – Williamson County is now reporting a total of 8,252 cases of COVID-19 and 8,006 recoveries. Deaths remain the same at 134.
4:53 p.m. – The Hays County Local Health Department confirms there are at least 1,845 active lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19. Since Hays County first started providing numbers, a total of 5,665 lab-confirmed cases have been reported, including 52 deaths. The Hays County Local Health Department has received 25,830 negative test results. At least 3,768 people have recovered from the virus in Hays County. According to the county, there have been 164 total hospitalizations, with 11 still hospitalized as of Sept. 14.
To view a breakdown of the age range of these cases, visit Hays County's interactive dashboard here.
2 p.m. – Williamson County has been awarded an additional $1,343,984 in federal CARES Act funding. This is from the third tranche of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. Williamson County received about $939,000 in the first round of CDBG CARES Act funding.
“We are grateful to Congressman John Carter for his effort to bring additional funds back to Williamson County to assist with our COVID-19 relief efforts. These additional CARES Act funds will go a long way towards rebuilding our economy and supporting families in Williamson County. At a time like this when many families are struggling, they are a Godsend,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell.
Other local governments getting funding include:
- Austin - $7,262,074
- Pflugerville - $224,134
- Round Rock - $668,787
- Travis County - $888,025
“Texas families are still struggling as the coronavirus outbreak wreaks havoc on our way of life, and that’s why it’s critical that we in Washington make sure they are protected,” said Sen. John Cornyn. “I’ll continue to do everything I can to make economic recovery in the Austin area a high priority as we weather this deadly pandemic.”
1:00 p.m. – When Gov. Greg Abbott reopened the Texas economy during the months of May and June, the positivity rate in the State of Texas was higher than was being reported at the time, according to new data.
For more information, read about it here.
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