12 delta variant cases confirmed in Travis County as local health leaders begin discussions on mass casualty planning
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Officials said about 17% of people in intensive care units are under 30 years old.
AUSTIN, Texas – A total of 12 Delta variant cases have now been confirmed in Travis County as local health officials say they have started discussions about planning mass accidents.
Austin City Medical Director and Health Department Dr. Desmar Walkes, announced in a virtual meeting with the Travis County Commissioners Court Tuesday, as COVID-19 cases continue to spread rapidly, especially among the unvaccinated younger populations.
Local health officials say talks about establishing alternative care options are still in the early stages in case hospitals become overwhelmed. Should this be necessary, KVUE officials said the Austin Convention Center was unlikely to be restored as an alternate care facility and they would look to a smaller venue instead.
According to Dr. Walkes, of the 690,000 people in the county now fully vaccinated since Jan. 1, only 623 (0.09%) tested positive.
Austin is currently still in level 4 of its risk-based guidelines for responding to COVID-19.
The area moves to level 5 when the seven-day moving average of hospital admissions reaches 50 and back to level 4 when it is below 30. According to the city of Austin’s COVID-19 dashboard, that seven-day average is now 42.
As of Tuesday, a total of 87,946 cases of COVID-19 had been reported in Travis County, with 85,233 recoveries. Of these cases, 1,816 are currently active and a total of 897 deaths have occurred. As of Tuesday, 292 people were hospitalized in Travis County, including 103 people in intensive care and 59 on ventilators.
Local officials said about 17% of people currently in intensive care units are under 30 years old.
Below level 4, APH recommends everyone wear a mask, even if they are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated individuals should wear a mask when attending private indoor gatherings, traveling and dining, or shopping, and wearing a mask for outdoor gatherings if they are unable to socially distance themselves. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals should avoid private gatherings, travel, dining, and shopping unless strictly necessary, and wear a mask when performing essential activities.
GRAPH: Coronavirus data July 27, 2021
As of Tuesday, these guidelines will be unenforceable, except by individual private companies. An executive order signed by Governor Greg Abbott prevents local face mask mandates and he remains determined to prevent further closures.
Also on Tuesday, the CDC reversed course and now recommends that vaccinated people return to masks indoors in parts of the nation where cases are rising.
Click here to view the Austin Public Health Tuesday PowerPoint.
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