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The Austin-Travis County Health Department, Dr. Desmar Walkes said the Austin community could transition to the level 3 pandemic risk deadlines within the week. (Courtesy of ATXN)
Austin and Travis County are expected to switch to a level 3 risk-based pandemic policy early next week, Austin Public Health officials said Oct. 8.
While the Austin community remains at Level 4, the seven-day moving average of daily coronavirus-related hospital admissions – a key indicator APH uses of community risk – is below 30, the Level 3 threshold, as of October 8, an average of 21 , 3 people were admitted to hospitals in the Austin area each day.
“If the trend continues, it is very likely that [we will move to Stage 3 by next week], and everything depends on us. It all depends on community action and community driven responses to this pandemic. It has always been that way, “said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Department.
Walkes said APH had so far tracked very few confirmed COVID-19 cases through the weekend of one of the Austin City Limits music festivals – just four on October 8th. However, in the past, APH said it could take up to two weeks to see the full effects of virus transmission at major events like the ACL. She reported that the APH had approved the health and safety measures taken by the ACL organizers on the first weekend, but had asked them to revise the masking requirements in certain areas of Zilker Park for the second weekend, which runs from Aug. October runs to increase.
“Overall, we continue to monitor, and if they continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that damage control is maintained as agreed, we expect we will see lower case numbers,” said Walkes.
Despite the encouraging trend in hospital admissions, Walkes cautioned the public to be vigilant during the fall and winter months, as both COVID-19 and influenza circulate during what is known as the “fluvid” season. While the hospital room and ICU space have been tidying up a bit last month, she said contract staff posted to the area’s hospitals are due to leave in the coming weeks, making it crucial that health facilities are in months up Come.
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