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The Austin area enters the first weekend of October with the lowest seven-day average of daily hospital admissions for COVID-19 since mid-July, signaling great strides in ending the region’s recent surge in coronavirus cases.
Only 35 patients were newly hospitalized for COVID-19 on Friday, lowering the 7-day moving average Austin Public Health uses to determine how the most medically vulnerable can protect themselves from the coronavirus. The new average, 29, was the lowest since July 18, when the average was also 29.
More:Coronavirus still worries the Texan economy
It is also the first time since July 18 that the Austin area has crossed the threshold of Level 3 of Austin Public Health’s risk-based guidelines, indicating a lower risk of the virus spreading to the community.
Austin Public Health entered phase 4 of the agency’s recommendations on Tuesday after more than 50 days in phase 5 – which occurs when the moving average stays between 30 and 50 – indicating the highest level of threat to community spread.
More:Austin is returning to Phase 4 after a steady decline in COVID-19 cases, health officials say
If the Austin area can stay between 15 and 29, Austin Public Health would consider moving back to Phase 3, where health officials, under current rules, say it would be safe enough for anyone fully vaccinated to shop, eat, and be outdoors again without Gathering wearing a mask. Even those at high risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms but who are fully vaccinated can safely shop and congregate outdoors without a face covering, per level 3 guidelines.
For unvaccinated individuals, Level 3 would allow them to shop, eat, travel, and hang out with others both indoors and outdoors safely when masked. High risk and unvaccinated toses should only gather, travel, shop and dine when absolutely necessary and while masked.
Dr. Austin-Travis County’s health department Desmar Walkes said Friday that it will be constantly monitoring the pandemic data and will move the area to phase 3 if it deems it safe. However, she did not give an expected date.
More:The number of COVID patients in Texas in hospitals drops below 9,000 for the first time since Aug. 7
“We’re still monitoring science,” said Walkes. “Delta (a variant of the coronavirus) is a game changer. We know it transmits or spreads much faster in our community. We look at the modeling. We look at science. And it will be us to judge what and if changes need to be made before we take our next step in terms of staging. ”
Austin Public Health tracked 329 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Friday, a continuous improvement over the pandemic record of 653 patients set August 25 five weeks ago.
Up to 148 people were in intensive care units in the Austin area because of COVID-19. That number hit a pandemic record of 237 on August 22nd. The 99 coronavirus patients on ventilators also marked a major shift in the right direction from the pandemic record of 174 set on August 29th.
Walkes said Friday that the Austin area will see the end of the pandemic if no coronavirus cases are reported for a total of 28 days.
“We’ll get there by continuing to mask, staying home when we’re sick, social distancing when we’re in crowded areas, and then getting vaccinations too,” she said.
Vaccination centers on Saturday
The clinics are open to all authorized persons without registration or an appointment and do not require identification or insurance. All vaccinations are free.
Travis County Exposition Center: 7311 Decker Lane, Austin; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years old)
Daily middle school: 14000 Westall St., Austin; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years old)
Del Valle High School Opportunity Center: 5301 B Ross Road, Del Valle; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years old)
Meat market La Moreliana: 5405 South Pleasant Valley Road #E, Austin; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years old)
Rancho Grande supermarket: 4604 Teri Road, Austin; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years old)
Southeast Library: 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road, Austin; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years), Moderna (18+ years)
Little Walnut Creek Library: 835 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years), Moderna (18+ years)
East Austin succulents: 801 Tillery St., Austin; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years), Moderna (18+ years)
Austin City Limits Music Festival: 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin; Noon to 4 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years old)
St. James Missionary Baptist Church: 3417 E. Martin Luther King Blvd., Austin; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years), Moderna (18+ years)
San Jose Catholic Church Jamaica Festival: 2435 Oak Crest Ave., Austin; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Vaccine: Pfizer (12+ years old)
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