From March to March: A timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Central Texas

From the first cases in Austin and Texas to a COVID-19 vaccine, we look back at significant dates from the first year of the pandemic.

Nicole Villalpando Austin American-Statesman

Published 11:43 am UTC Mar. 22, 2021 Updated 11:45 am UTC Mar. 22, 2021

It's been a year since Austin saw its first few cases of COVID-19 and began taking preventive measures. Schools didn't come back in-person from spring break. Hand sanitizer and toilet paper were nowhere to be found on shelves. We stopped congregating in crowds and learned to wear masks.

This timeline, using Statesman reporting, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures, and state and local orders, looks at the things we've been though from the first case to the one-year anniversary of Austin's shutdown:

March 2020

March 4: The first case in Texas is announced in Fort Bend County. The U.S. had its first official case Jan. 22.

March 6: The city of Austin declares a disaster. South by Southwest is canceled for the first time. Events of more than 2,500 people are canceled.

March 8: Texans learn that passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship are coming to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio to quarantine.

March 10: The U.S. reaches 1,000 cases.

March 11: Travis County and Austin health authorities order nursing homes and long-term senior care facilities to send any resident with a fever of 100.4 or higher to the hospital.

March 12: The World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play event at Austin Country Club is canceled.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issues a disaster declaration in response to the growing threat of the novel coronavirus on Friday, March 13, 2020, in Austin, Texas. — Life in Austin shifted drastically after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on March 13, 2020. Family and friends could no longer visit loved ones in assisted living facilities, the city began COVID-19 testing, and toilet paper was suddenly a hard-to-find necessity. Life in Austin shifted drastically after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on March 13, 2020. Family and friends could no longer visit loved ones in assisted living facilities, the city began COVID-19 testing, and toilet paper was suddenly a hard-to-find necessity. Life in Austin shifted drastically after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on March 13, 2020. Family and friends could no longer visit loved ones in assisted living facilities, the city began COVID-19 testing, and toilet paper was suddenly a hard-to-find necessity. Nick Wagner, Jay Janner

Gusto Monterrosa cries after talking through a window with his daughter who lives at Park Bend Health Center in North Austin on Sunday March 22, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. — Life in Austin shifted drastically after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on March 13, 2020. Family and friends could no longer visit loved ones in assisted living facilities, the city began COVID-19 testing, and toilet paper was suddenly a hard-to-find necessity. Life in Austin shifted drastically after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on March 13, 2020. Family and friends could no longer visit loved ones in assisted living facilities, the city began COVID-19 testing, and toilet paper was suddenly a hard-to-find necessity. Life in Austin shifted drastically after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on March 13, 2020. Family and friends could no longer visit loved ones in assisted living facilities, the city began COVID-19 testing, and toilet paper was suddenly a hard-to-find necessity. Nick Wagner, Jay Janner

March 13: The first two cases in Austin are officially announced, though we later learn that as of March 2, 68 cases had been investigated. University of Texas President Gregory L. Fenves confirms that his wife, Carmel, is a third case. UT and the Austin Independent School District cancel classes. UT extends spring break.

Gov. Greg Abbott issues a disaster declaration for all 254 counties. Texas has 39 confirmed cases.

The Texas Medical Board and Abbott's declaration enable telehealth visits to be covered by insurance.

President Donald Trump declares the pandemic a national emergency.

H-E-B stores report shortages of disinfectant sprays, sanitizers, toilet paper and some food. Food delivery companies begin to see a surge of new clients.

March 14: Austin Mayor Steve Adler bans events of more than 250 people until May 1.

March 15: The first person reported as having died of the virus in Texas is a man in his 90s in Matagorda County. Austin's churches begin worship online. Mosques and synagogues do the same later in the week.Austin has five known cases.

March 16: Hays County reports its first two cases. The Austin school district extends spring break to April 5; other school districts do the same. Williamson County bans gatherings of 50 or more.

March 17: Travis County closes bars and restaurant dining rooms and limits gatherings of more than 10 people. UT announces that all classes will be virtual for the rest of the semester. Movie theaters close.

Chris Jones, 65, sits on the curb in front of several bars that are boarded up on East 6th Street in Austin on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. This comes after Austin officials ordered closures of all bars and restaurants. "I see lost money," Jones said. "Those people have families and they are not going to get money to support themselves for six weeks." — Austin residents adapted quickly in March 2020 after businesses closed, schools switched to online-only learning, and social distancing measures went into effect. Austin residents adapted quickly in March 2020 after businesses closed, schools switched to online-only learning, and social distancing measures went into effect. Austin residents adapted quickly in March 2020 after businesses closed, schools switched to online-only learning, and social distancing measures went into effect. Bronte Wittpenn, Jay Janner

Amber Fowler, a teacher at Brooke Elementary School, tries to login to her school portal to do some work, while sharing space with her husband Jacolby Scott, and their children, Javon Scott, 7, from left, Jacolby Scott Jr., 2, and Jamiyah Scott, 5, at their apartment in South Austin on Wednesday March 25, 2020. The family is stuck at home while schools are shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. — Austin residents adapted quickly in March 2020 after businesses closed, schools switched to online-only learning, and social distancing measures went into effect. Austin residents adapted quickly in March 2020 after businesses closed, schools switched to online-only learning, and social distancing measures went into effect. Austin residents adapted quickly in March 2020 after businesses closed, schools switched to online-only learning, and social distancing measures went into effect. Bronte Wittpenn, Jay Janner

March 18: The governor bans gatherings of more than 10 people and closes bars, gyms, dining rooms and schools. Austin and Travis County health officials say with 41 confirmed cases, they believe the virus is spreading from person to person. Williamson County announces its first four cases. Malls close. Driver's license offices close. The U.S. reaches 100 deaths and 10,000 cases.

March 20: Matthew McConaughey makes a public service announcement released by Abbott to encourage people to stay home. Abbott delays the May 26 primary election to July 14. Local distilleries begin making hand sanitizer. The Capital Area Food Bank begins to feel the pinch as more people seek its services. It would later hold mass distribution events.

March 21: Adler requires grocery stories and retailers to create 6-foot social distancing measures. Austin and Travis County offer their first COVID-19 testing site. Austin Public Health has received 1,000 testing kits. There are 62 known cases in Travis County.

March 22: Abbott bans elective surgeries in Texas. Hospitals ban visitors, except those visiting women in labor, people with disabilities, elderly or pediatric patients, and people having surgery. For those patients, it's just one visitor at a time.

March 23: Lake Travis teens who were stuck in Honduras return home. Abbott asks Trump to declare Texas a major disaster area. Trump does so March 27.

A woman looks into the window of the Paramount Theater located on Congress Avenue in Austin on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Austin Mayor Steve Adler shuttered bars and restaurants in the state's capital effective as of noon Tuesday. The shutdown also includes entertainment venues like the Paramount. The shutdown aims to halt the spread of the new coronavirus. It is the latest blow to the city's economy, which is till feeling the aftershocks of canceling South by Southwest. The move also limits gatherings of more than 10 people. — Scenes from March 2020 show Austin residents sanitizing, socially distancing and working out at home. Scenes from March 2020 show Austin residents sanitizing, socially distancing and working out at home. Scenes from March 2020 show Austin residents sanitizing, socially distancing and working out at home. Bronte Wittpenn, Ricardo B. Brazziell, Nick Wagner, James Gregg

Levon Shyrell washes her hands at a portable station on at Riverside Dr, Austin Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Texas Disposal Systems team up with the City of Austin to provide hand washing and portable restroom station for the Homeless around Austin. officials have leased a hotel to isolate people who are homeless who test positive for the coronavirus. City staff have also outlined a broad plan to educate the homeless community about the virus, while providing locations to shower, use bathrooms and sanitize to the best of their ability Tuesday, March 31, 2020 — Scenes from March 2020 show Austin residents sanitizing, socially distancing and working out at home. Scenes from March 2020 show Austin residents sanitizing, socially distancing and working out at home. Scenes from March 2020 show Austin residents sanitizing, socially distancing and working out at home. Bronte Wittpenn, Ricardo B. Brazziell, Nick Wagner, James Gregg

March 24: Travis and Williamson counties issue shelter in place orders. More cities and counties follow. The Austin district extends school closures to April 13. Eleven people have died in Texas. Williamson County suffers its first death because of the virus.

March 25: UT announces it will have a virtual graduation ceremony. The state has more than 1,200 cases. Travis County has 119 cases.

March 26: Austin approves a hold on evictions. Abbott orders a quarantine of travelers by air from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Orleans. The U.S. reaches 1,000 deaths.

March 27: Travis County reports its first death. The U.S. reaches 100,000 cases.

March 29: Abbott orders a quarantine for people from Louisiana and people traveling by air from Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago and any airport in California or Washington state. He announces he is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to plan field hospitals around the state. Texas has 2,552 cases, with 34 people dead.

March 30: Local colleges resume classes, but virtually.

March 31: Abbott issues a state stay-at-home order to begin April 2 and extends school closures to May 4. Twenty-eight UT students who went on a spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, test positive.

April 2020

April 1: Austin residents are waiting up to two weeks to get their COVID-19 test results. Public health officials tell them to assume they are positive.

April 2: The U.S. reaches 5,000 deaths.

April 3: Statewide traffic counts are down 41%. Austin's traffic is down 49%. Austin and Travis County recommend wearing face masks.

April 4: Texas surpasses 100 deaths.

April 6: School districts start remote learning. Bastrop County announces its first death. One thousand people are hospitalized in Texas. The U.S. reaches 10,000 deaths.

Jorden Stanley, right, runs past a hopeful message on a boarded up bar on East 6th Street on Monday April 6, 2020, during a shelter in place order due to the coronavirus pandemic. — In April 2020, Austinites were still adapting to closures, social distancing and safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In April 2020, Austinites were still adapting to closures, social distancing and safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In April 2020, Austinites were still adapting to closures, social distancing and safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jay Janner, Ricardo B. Brazziell

Austin High seniors and best friends, clockwise from top left, Brooke Peterman, 17, Maddy McCutchin, 18, Lucia Saenz, 17, Reese Simek, 18, and Lily Tickle, 18, visit with each other in the parking lot at the school on Sunday April 5, 2020. In the midst of a shelter in place order due to the coronavirus pandemic, the girls sat in the back of their cars to chat at a safe distance. — In April 2020, Austinites were still adapting to closures, social distancing and safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In April 2020, Austinites were still adapting to closures, social distancing and safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In April 2020, Austinites were still adapting to closures, social distancing and safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jay Janner, Ricardo B. Brazziell

April 7: We Are Blood launches a convalescent plasma program. State parks are closed.

April 8: Bastrop County announces a mask mandate.

April 9: Texas reaches 10,000 cases. More than 744,000 people in Texas have filed for unemployment in the past three weeks.

April 11: The U.S. reaches 500,000 cases.

April 12: Local churches offer streaming services for Easter.

April 13: Austin and Travis County require facial coverings in public.

April 14: UT halts raises. Travis County implements a hiring freeze.

Spc. Nicholas Cisneros, middle, a soldier with the Texas National Guard, works at a drive-though COVID-19 testing center in Smithville on Tuesday May 5, 2020. Seventeen service members with the 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, who have been traveling around the state doing testing since since April 18, were in Smithville for the daylong testing before continuing their deployment in other Texas towns. — The number of positive coronavirus cases continued to rise in April 2020. Many Texans were faced with unemployment and had to flock to food banks to survive, and everyone continued to adapt to social distancing and hand sanitizing. The number of positive coronavirus cases continued to rise in April 2020. Many Texans were faced with unemployment and had to flock to food banks to survive, and everyone continued to adapt to social distancing and hand sanitizing. The number of positive coronavirus cases continued to rise in April 2020. Many Texans were faced with unemployment and had to flock to food banks to survive, and everyone continued to adapt to social distancing and hand sanitizing. Jay Janner, Nick Wagner, Ana Ramirez

Vehicles line up to receive free food on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in Austin, Texas. The Central Texas Food Bank distributed free emergency food boxes to help those who are facing increased food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The boxes included about 28 pounds of food consisting of shelf-stable items like peanut butter, brown rice, canned tuna or chicken and canned fruit. — The number of positive coronavirus cases continued to rise in April 2020. Many Texans were faced with unemployment and had to flock to food banks to survive, and everyone continued to adapt to social distancing and hand sanitizing. The number of positive coronavirus cases continued to rise in April 2020. Many Texans were faced with unemployment and had to flock to food banks to survive, and everyone continued to adapt to social distancing and hand sanitizing. The number of positive coronavirus cases continued to rise in April 2020. Many Texans were faced with unemployment and had to flock to food banks to survive, and everyone continued to adapt to social distancing and hand sanitizing. Jay Janner, Nick Wagner, Ana Ramirez

April 15: The U.S. reaches 25,000 deaths. The first U.S. stimulus checks arrive.

April 17: Abbott announces that schools will be closed for the rest of the academic year. Austin Public Health announces a new online portal to schedule a COVID-19 test.

April 20: State parks reopen. All Together ATX Fund has raised $1.8 million since March for local nonprofits. Austin and Travis County identify clusters of cases at nursing homes and issue new restrictions.

April 22: Restrictions on elective surgeries loosen. The city of Austin begins giving out $15 million in relief to businesses and social service organizations.

April 24: All stores in Texas are allowed to operate by to-go service. The U.S. reaches 50,000 deaths. In Texas, 1.5 million people have filed for unemployment since March 15.

April 27: Travis County has 1,000 cases.

April 28: The U.S. reaches 1 million cases.

April 29: Dr. Anthony Fauci announces that the antiviral medication remdesivir is effective in treating patients with COVID-19.

April 30: Texas' stay-at-home order ends. More than 30 million people have applied for unemployment in the U.S. in six weeks.

A year into COVID-19: Experts share what 'normal' could look like amid vaccines and variants?

May 2020

May 1: Local malls reopen. Restaurants, stores, movie theaters, museums, libraries, wedding venues and golf courses are allowed to reopen at 25% occupancy. Dentists are permitted to resume nonemergency treatments. April's sales tax revenue is down 9.3% from April 2019. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport sees a 96.6% drop in passengers from the year before. Vaccine research is well underway, with initial testing of 11 candidates happening globally.

May 6: The UT and Texas A&M systems plan for in-person learning in the fall. Austin adds $18 million in a relief program.

May 7: H-E-B no longer limits purchases of toilet paper and canned goods, but meat limits are in place.

May 8: Texas reaches 1,000 deaths. Hair salons and nail salons reopen.

Maria Ortega holds a photo of her mother Rachel Luna at her home in north Austin on Wednesday May 6, 2020. Luna, a resident at West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, died of COVID-19. — Texans remembered loved ones who died of COVID-19 complications. Some businesses reopened under new restrictions Texans remembered loved ones who died of COVID-19 complications. Some businesses reopened under new restrictions Texans remembered loved ones who died of COVID-19 complications. Some businesses reopened under new restrictions Jay Janner, Ana Ramirez, Ricardo B. Brazziell

Austin artist Shane Reilly, 42, puts plastic flags in his yard to reflect the number of coronavirus deaths in Texas. "I just felt that I had to say something so this was my way of reminding the public that there are real people dying," Reilly said. He continues to add flags every few days to keep up with the current number of state deaths. The current number of Texas fatalities as of May 26, 2020, is 1,527 according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. — Texans remembered loved ones who died of COVID-19 complications. Some businesses reopened under new restrictions Texans remembered loved ones who died of COVID-19 complications. Some businesses reopened under new restrictions Texans remembered loved ones who died of COVID-19 complications. Some businesses reopened under new restrictions Jay Janner, Ana Ramirez, Ricardo B. Brazziell

May 13: Abbott calls on the National Guard to disinfect state nursing homes.

May 14: Austin Public Health creates a color-coded chart of COVID-19 risk stages.

May 18: Offices, manufacturing plants, bowling alleys, aquariums, rodeos, drive-in concerts and similar events are allowed to reopen at 25%, as are tattoo shops and massage salons. Child care may reopen with new ratio and safety guidelines.

May 19: UT reports that a number of custodians have contracted COVID-19.

May 20: Texas reaches 50,000 cases.

May 21: Abbott ends travel quarantines.

May 22: Visitation at county and municipal jails is prohibited. Abbott allows bars to reopen at 25% capacity, as well as water parks and recreational sports. Boat ramps are open in limited capacity for Memorial Day weekend.

Family members of people incarcerated in Texas prisons demonstrated on the southwest lawn of the Texas Capitol near Governor Greg Abbott's mansion to draw attention to the growing COVID-19 crisis in Texas prisons. Demonstrators called on the Governor and the Board of Pardon and Paroles to use their authority to release incarcerated people from Texas prisons who are at the tail end of their prison sentences and are already parole-eligible or parole-approved. Saturday, May 23, 2020. — Family members of people incarcerated in Texas prisons protest in May 2020 to draw attention to the growing COVID-19 crisis there. Spring graduations were canceled or reimagined, and front line workers were honored. Family members of people incarcerated in Texas prisons protest in May 2020 to draw attention to the growing COVID-19 crisis there. Spring graduations were canceled or reimagined, and front line workers were honored. Family members of people incarcerated in Texas prisons protest in May 2020 to draw attention to the growing COVID-19 crisis there. Spring graduations were canceled or reimagined, and front line workers were honored. Ricardo B. Brazziell, Ana Ramirez, Jay Janner

Liberal Arts and Science Academy Champ Turner sports a mask on his graduation cap while participating in a block graduation ceremony on May 29, 2020, in Hyde Park. All of the seniors live blocks from one another and attended McCallum High School or Liberal Arts and Science Academy. — Family members of people incarcerated in Texas prisons protest in May 2020 to draw attention to the growing COVID-19 crisis there. Spring graduations were canceled or reimagined, and front line workers were honored. Family members of people incarcerated in Texas prisons protest in May 2020 to draw attention to the growing COVID-19 crisis there. Spring graduations were canceled or reimagined, and front line workers were honored. Family members of people incarcerated in Texas prisons protest in May 2020 to draw attention to the growing COVID-19 crisis there. Spring graduations were canceled or reimagined, and front line workers were honored. Ricardo B. Brazziell, Ana Ramirez, Jay Janner

May 23: UT graduation is virtual. High schools plan drive-by celebrations at their schools and outdoor socially distanced graduations in the summer.

May 27: The U.S. reaches 100,000 deaths.

May 28: Stubb's reopens its outdoor space at limited capacity.

May 29: Zoos are allowed to reopen.

May 30: Protests of George Floyd's death under the knee of a police officer in Minneapolis spread around the country and in Austin.

May 31: Sports leagues are allowed to reopen without spectators. Youth camps may reopen.

June 2020

June 1: Austin begins to reopen some services at parks, libraries, animal centers and other city facilities. Schools are allowed to reopen for summer classes.

June 2: Williamson County approves $40 million in virus relief.

June 8: Austin begins accepting musicians' grant applications. Bastrop County reaches 250 cases, including 31 in one Elgin nursing home. UT announces that masks will be required in the fall.

June 9: Barton Springs reopens.

June 11: Travis County reaches 100 deaths.

June 18: Hays and Travis counties issue mask orders.

June 19: Texas reaches 100,000 cases. Austin Pride cancels its 2020 event.

June 20: In Spicewood, more than 300 teens attend a party. Some later test positive for COVID-19. Six Austin high schools have to halt summer workouts.

Phlebotomist Tonia McQueen takes a sample from construction worker Victor Sanchez for a COVID-19 test at a free testing site for construction workers at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Reicher Drive in East Austin on Saturday June 20, 2020. The Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, the U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association and the Austin Latino Coalition hosted the free COVID-19 testing site for 300 construction workers. In addition to the tests, the construction workers received financial assistance and personal protective equipment. — COVID-19 testing continued in June 2020. Some protested mask mandates at the Capitol, and in-person graduations shifted to accommodate new restrictions. COVID-19 testing continued in June 2020. Some protested mask mandates at the Capitol, and in-person graduations shifted to accommodate new restrictions. COVID-19 testing continued in June 2020. Some protested mask mandates at the Capitol, and in-person graduations shifted to accommodate new restrictions. Jay Janner, Ricardo B. Brazziell, Lola Gomez

Info Wars founder Alex Jones and nearly 150 un-masked protesters gathered on 11th street and Congress on Sunday to protest against wearing masks in Texas. Alex Jones also led the protestors to the Texas Governor's Mansion where they stood face to face with DPS troopers outside the gate at the Mansion on Sunday, June 28, 2020. — COVID-19 testing continued in June 2020. Some protested mask mandates at the Capitol, and in-person graduations shifted to accommodate new restrictions. COVID-19 testing continued in June 2020. Some protested mask mandates at the Capitol, and in-person graduations shifted to accommodate new restrictions. COVID-19 testing continued in June 2020. Some protested mask mandates at the Capitol, and in-person graduations shifted to accommodate new restrictions. Jay Janner, Ricardo B. Brazziell, Lola Gomez

June 23: UT and Texas A&M announce they will not require the ACT or SAT for 2021 applicants. The Texas Education Association releases guidelines for reopening schools. New COVID-19 cases in Texas hit an all-time high of 5,489 in a day.

June 24: Abbott warns of a "massive outbreak" as cases and hospitalizations rise. The Texas Book Festival announces it will go virtual.

June 26: Abbott allows businesses to operate at 50% capacity. Outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited. Tubing is prohibited. Elective surgeries are postponed in Travis County because of reduced hospital capacity. Bars are closed.

June 27: Abbott allows to-go mixed drinks.

June 28: Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones leads an anti-mask protest near the Capitol. Travis County hits a record 636 new cases in a week.

June 29: Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Taylor, Hutto and Round Rock pass mask requirements. We Are Blood is in critical need of convalescent plasma. Early voting begins with coronavirus restrictions.

July 2020

July 1: Travis County has 10,000 cases.

July 2: Abbott issues orders to require masks in public places.

July 3: Adler prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people unless social distancing is observed.

July 4: Fourth of July events, including fireworks and parades, are canceled.

July 7: The State Fair of Texas is canceled.

July 8: The seven-day average for new hospitalizations hits 75 in the greater Austin area. ICUs are 85% occupied. The TEA says parents may choose in-person or virtual learning for the fall.

A medical worker gets her temperature checked before entering Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas on Wednesday July 8, 2020. — Austin people continued to find new ways to reimagine life at home and at work. Austin people continued to find new ways to reimagine life at home and at work. Austin people continued to find new ways to reimagine life at home and at work. Jay Janner, Sergio Flores, Stephen Spillman, Lola Gomez

A custodian cleans a classroom at Akin Elementary in Leander, Texas on Thursday, July 16, 2020. The school has been preparing for possible return of students by cleaning and disinfecting classrooms to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Sergio Flores for AMERICAN STATESMAN — Austin people continued to find new ways to reimagine life at home and at work. Austin people continued to find new ways to reimagine life at home and at work. Austin people continued to find new ways to reimagine life at home and at work. Jay Janner, Sergio Flores, Stephen Spillman, Lola Gomez

July 15: Williamson County reports five deaths in one day, bringing its total to 61. Teachers gather at the Capitol to ask for a delay in reopening schools.

July 21: Bastrop County hits 1,000 cases.

July 22: The state has had 13 days of 10,000 or more people in the hospital for COVID-19 and reaches a peak of 10,893.

July 24: Austin-Travis County gets the Austin Convention Center ready to become a 100-bed hospital. Austin's Formula One race is canceled.

July 25: The University Interscholastic League approves sports for the fall.

July 28: The Austin Film Festival announces it will be virtual.

July 27: Pfizer and Moderna begin phase three of their vaccine trials. (Austin clinics begin participating in August.) The state reports at least five have died in an Elgin nursing home. Abbott adds a week to early voting in the fall.

News: Why does Texas rank near last in percentage of residents vaccinated against COVID-19?

August 2020

Aug. 6: Austin reopens its relief fund for musicians. The Moontower Comedy Festival is canceled. Austin Opera postpones its season.

Aug. 8: Greenbelts reopen after being closed since the July Fourth weekend, but with reservations. Travis County has had 298 deaths.

Aug. 9: The U.S. reaches 5 million cases.

Aug. 11: Texas reaches 500,000 cases.

Aug. 13: The first school districts reopen. Many districts delay the first day of school until September. Many begin virtually. Parents begin setting up learning pods.

4th grade teacher Cathy Boles during the fist day of class at Jacobs Well Elementary school on its first day of class in Wimberley on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. [LOLA GOMEZ / AMERICAN-STATESMAN] — Students return to school in August 2020 with new social distancing and safety measures. While many districts delayed the first day until September, others went virtual. Students return to school in August 2020 with new social distancing and safety measures. While many districts delayed the first day until September, others went virtual. Students return to school in August 2020 with new social distancing and safety measures. While many districts delayed the first day until September, others went virtual. Lola Gomez, Ricardo B. Brazziell, Jay Janner,

Lampasas High School football started their practice on Monday, August 3, 2020, by watching film and running drills on their campus as they prepare for the football season during COVID-19. — Students return to school in August 2020 with new social distancing and safety measures. While many districts delayed the first day until September, others went virtual. Students return to school in August 2020 with new social distancing and safety measures. While many districts delayed the first day until September, others went virtual. Students return to school in August 2020 with new social distancing and safety measures. While many districts delayed the first day until September, others went virtual. Lola Gomez, Ricardo B. Brazziell, Jay Janner,

Aug. 17: Texas reaches 10,000 deaths.

Aug. 19: Travis County has 25,000 cases.

Aug. 26: UT begins the fall semester with mostly virtual classes.

September 2020

Sept. 1: Ballet Austin announces a virtual "Nutcracker."

Sept. 4: Thinkery children's museum reopens for Labor Day weekend.

Sept. 8: Cap City Comedy Club closes permanently.

Sept. 12: The UT football home opener has 25% capacity for fans. Of the 1,200 students tested for COVID-19 to attend, 95 test positive. UT expects to lose as much as $162 million because of the virus.

Cut out images of Texas Longhorns fans mixed with fans attending the game fill the lower level seats during Texas Longhorns against UTEP Miners NCAA football game in Austin, Texas on Saturday, Sept 12, 2020. — Cut out images of Texas Longhorns fans mixed with fans attending the game fill the lower level seats during Texas Longhorns against UTEP Miners NCAA football game in Austin, Texas on Saturday, Sept 12, 2020. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

Sept. 17: The Trail of Lights will be drive-thru.

Sept. 21: Abbott allows businesses to open at 50% capacity. Restaurants, bars, gyms, museums, libraries and stores may open at 75% capacity.

Sept. 22: The U.S. reaches 200,000 deaths. COVID-19 is expected to be the third-worst killer in Travis County in 2020; 415 people have died from it.

Sept. 24: High school football is allowed for all schools.

October 2020

People wait in a long line on the first day of early voting in October at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. — People wait in a long line on the first day of early voting in October at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Oct. 2: Trump tests positive for COVID-19 and is taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Oct. 9-11: The Austin City Limits Music Festival is virtual.

Oct. 13: The first day of early voting has long lines, social distancing and mask wearing.

Oct. 14: Abbott increases business capacity to 75%. He says bars can open at 50%, but Travis County keeps them closed.

Oct. 22: The Food and Drug Administration approves its first treatment for COVID-19, remdesivir.

November 2020

Nov. 2: Austin becomes a site for the Pfizer vaccine trial for ages 12-17.

Nov. 3: Election Day.

Nov. 5: Texas reaches 1 million cases. In Austin-Travis County, a second surge begins as cases hit the highest number since Aug. 15.

Nov. 8: The U.S. reaches 10 million cases.

Nov. 9: Pfizer releases results that show 90% effectiveness for its vaccine. A week later the company updates that to 95%.

Charles Mandelbaum of the Jewish War Veterans Post 757 gets ready to participate in a Veterans Day flag-raising ceremony at the Dell Jewish Community Campus on Wednesday November 11, 2020. The honor guard gathered with a small crowd including early childhood development students to celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans. Mandelbaum is an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War. — By November 2020, face masks, COVID-19 tests and social distancing were the norm in Austin. By November 2020, face masks, COVID-19 tests and social distancing were the norm in Austin. By November 2020, face masks, COVID-19 tests and social distancing were the norm in Austin. Jay Janner, Lola Gomez, Ricardo B. Brazziell

Austin Independent School District staff instruct an attendant where to go to take a COVID-19 tests for staff and students who attend in person classes at the Austin High School after the outbreak in cases at this site in Austin, on Monday, November 16, 2020. — By November 2020, face masks, COVID-19 tests and social distancing were the norm in Austin. By November 2020, face masks, COVID-19 tests and social distancing were the norm in Austin. By November 2020, face masks, COVID-19 tests and social distancing were the norm in Austin. Jay Janner, Lola Gomez, Ricardo B. Brazziell

Nov. 16: Moderna releases results that show 95% effectiveness for its vaccine. Austin Public Health creates a COVID-19 Vaccine Coalition to focus on how to distribute the vaccine.

Nov. 19: Texas reaches 20,000 deaths. Austin and Travis County raise the COVID-19 alert level to Stage 4 ahead of Thanksgiving after being in Stage 3 since Aug. 25. Hospitals are at 79% capacity. Travis County has had 473 deaths.

Nov. 23: Abbott releases a vaccine distribution plan.

Nov. 30: The Austin school district goes virtual-only after the Thanksgiving break.

‘No one has been trained for this much death': In a COVID-19 ICU, hospital workers struggle with trauma and grief

December 2020

Dec. 2: Austin learns that in November, Adler told everyone to stay home but had an outdoor wedding for his daughter and then went to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.

Dec. 4: ICU beds in Central Texas are 81% occupied.

Dec. 11: The FDA gives emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine.

Dec. 14: The U.S. reaches 300,000 deaths. Health care workers at UT Health are among the first to receive the vaccine. Texas receives 224,250 doses the first week.

Dec. 17: Johnson & Johnson begins phase three of its trial. Austin sites begin participating.

Pharmacy student Kevin Park prepares the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to be administered to hospital staff members at the University of Texas Health Austin Dell Medical School on Tuesday December 15, 2020. — COVID-19 vaccines started to be administered in December 2020 as students were wrapping up their fall semesters. Staff at the University of Texas Dell Medical School got their first Pfizer vaccine dose on Dec. 15. COVID-19 vaccines started to be administered in December 2020 as students were wrapping up their fall semesters. Staff at the University of Texas Dell Medical School got their first Pfizer vaccine dose on Dec. 15. COVID-19 vaccines started to be administered in December 2020 as students were wrapping up their fall semesters. Staff at the University of Texas Dell Medical School got their first Pfizer vaccine dose on Dec. 15. Jay Janner

Jewish Studies teacher Heather Kantrowitz teaches fifth-graders at an outdoor class at the Austin Jewish Academy on Tuesday December 8, 2020. — COVID-19 vaccines started to be administered in December 2020 as students were wrapping up their fall semesters. Staff at the University of Texas Dell Medical School got their first Pfizer vaccine dose on Dec. 15. COVID-19 vaccines started to be administered in December 2020 as students were wrapping up their fall semesters. Staff at the University of Texas Dell Medical School got their first Pfizer vaccine dose on Dec. 15. COVID-19 vaccines started to be administered in December 2020 as students were wrapping up their fall semesters. Staff at the University of Texas Dell Medical School got their first Pfizer vaccine dose on Dec. 15. Jay Janner

Dec. 18: The FDA gives emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine.

Dec. 23: Austin moves into Stage 5 for COVID-19 risk. People are urged to stay home.

Dec. 24: All Together ATX distributes $3.5 million, the rest of the $7.7 million the coronavirus relief fund raised.

Dec. 28: Travis County has 50,000 cases. Austin Public Health warns that the area is facing a "state of emergency." Cases in ICUs increase 62% in a week. Travis County has had 532 deaths. State hospitalizations reach 11,351. Nursing homes are scheduled to begin receiving the vaccine.

January 2021

Jan. 1: The U.S. reaches 20 million cases.

Jan. 2: Austin school district teachers, on-campus staffers older than 65 and those with preexisting conditions begin receiving vaccinations.

Jan. 6: A record 13,628 people are hospitalized in Texas.

A long line of residents waits to receive the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at the Renaissance-Austin senior living facility in north Austin on Friday, January 15, 2021. This facility is among the first long-term care facilities to receive Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines in the Austin area. — A long line of residents waits to receive the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at the Renaissance-Austin senior living facility in north Austin on Friday, January 15, 2021. This facility is among the first long-term care facilities to receive Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines in the Austin area. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

Jan. 7: The variant first reported in the United Kingdom is found in Texas.

Jan. 12: Texas reaches 30,000 deaths. The Austin Convention Center accepts its first field hospital patient.

Jan. 13: Texas reaches 2 million cases. Austin Public Health launches its vaccine preregistration portal and quickly gets 100,000 people registered. It begins administering doses.

Jan. 19: The U.S. reaches 400,000 deaths. UT begins classes, mostly online.

Jan. 25: Travis County has 75,000 cases.

Jan. 28: The hospital surge begins to decrease.

February 2021

Feb. 3: The UK variant is detected in Austin-Travis County.

Feb. 5: The UK variant is detected at UT.

Feb. 8: Austin returns to Stage 4.

Feb. 10: H-E-B and CVS launch their vaccine portals.

People line up for COVID-19 vaccines at a drive-thru site at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on Monday February 8, 2021. — People line up for COVID-19 vaccines at a drive-thru site at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on Monday February 8, 2021. Jay Janner / American-Statesman

Feb. 12: Texas reaches 40,000 deaths.

Feb. 12-20: Vaccinations are put on hold because of ice and snow.

Feb. 23: The U.S. reaches 500,000 deaths.

Feb. 24: Austin Public Health upgrades its vaccine portal. A mass vaccination site is set up at Circuit of the Americas.

Feb. 27: The Johnson & Johnson vaccine receives emergency use authorization from the FDA.

Using the bathroom in bags. Tiring shifts. Sponge baths: Inside a taxing week at Austin hospitals

March 2021

'They don't need government telling them what to do.' Gov. Abbott explains why he lifted the mask mandate.

Despite lifting the mandate, Gov. Greg Abbott says Texans should continue to follow best practices, including wearing a mask.

Nate Chute and Tony Plohetski, Wochit

March 2: Abbott announces that capacity at all businesses will increase to 100% and the mask mandate will be lifted, effective March 10. All teachers are eligible for vaccinations. Austin and Travis Country continue to require masks.

March 4: On the anniversary of the first Texas case, the number of fully vaccinated residents is close to the number of cases in the state.

March 15: Texas opens vaccinations to anyone 50 or older or with preexisting conditions.

Travis County has 788 deaths. Williamson County has 423. Bastrop County has 86. Hays County has 232. Texas has reached about 47,000 deaths. Texas has 2.9 million people fully vaccinated, about 10% of the population.

When will everyone be vaccinated for COVID-19? Here's how the vaccine rollout is going

Published 11:43 am UTC Mar. 22, 2021 Updated 11:45 am UTC Mar. 22, 2021