Stage 5 COVID-19 guidelines in Austin being re-evaluated

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Austin-Travis County reached level 5 on Friday. With a 7-day new hospital admissions average of 61, the threshold was crossed on Monday.

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Public Health said it is considering “a new guideline to be released in the coming days” regarding its level 5 risk-based guidelines and delta variant.

Austin-Travis County reached level 5 on Friday and continues to beat the threshold.

At a joint meeting with the Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin City Council on Tuesday, the health department told Dr. Desmar Walkes that there are some guidelines that she knows will be included in the “Level 5 Delta Recommendations”. Walkes said people who have been vaccinated are asked to wear a mask.

RELATED: Central Texas Coronavirus Updates: Tuesday Statistics Tracker

Walkes said the recommendations will include that high-risk people who have been vaccinated should be encouraged to avoid large gatherings that do not require masks. APH will also encourage vaccinated people to speak to their unvaccinated loved ones about vaccination.

Unvaccinated individuals are advised to avoid all gatherings and travel and to choose roadside options and delivery whenever possible. You will be asked to wear a mask if “you need to go out” to perform essential activities.

The delta variant, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is just as contagious as chickenpox, prompts the reassessment. Walkes said APH had confirmed 29 cases of the Austin-Travis County variant by Aug. 3. But the real number is likely much higher.

“Science has changed,” said Walkes. “We have a new variant, the Delta variant, which has affected our hospital systems and medical systems because it is spreading much faster. It’s 100 times the viral load that we see in patients with that viral load. We see it at this level in both unvaccinated and vaccinated people. “

APH’s previously announced Level 5 guidelines asked vaccinated individuals to wear a mask at all private gatherings, restaurants, shops, and when traveling. Unvaccinated individuals were advised to avoid private gatherings and travel.

The 7-day average for new hospital admissions on Monday, August 2, was 61. The Austin level 5 threshold is a 7-day average of 50-90, depending on the rate of increase.

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