Austin-Travis County teetering on Stage 4 COVID guidelines
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AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Public Health is now warning that the Austin-Travis County regions will inevitably return to level 4 risk-based COVID-19 guidelines.
What you need to know
- Hospital stay rate just prior to triggering COVID-19 level 4 risk-based guidelines in Austin-Travis County
- Austin Public Health is pushing for social distancing, mask use, and vaccination
- The increase in COVID cases is mainly fueled by the highly contagious Delta variant
- Texas reported 4,301 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday alone
The downgrade comes after the Region crosses 30 new hospital admissions on a 7-day moving average.
According to Level 4 guidelines, in addition to observing social distancing, maintaining good hygiene, and wearing a face mask, it is recommended that you avoid social gatherings of more than two people, avoid non-essential travel, and avoid what not to eat and shop is absolutely necessary.
It is also recommended that store openings be restricted to “expanded material stores”.
However, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that he will not issue an order requiring the restoration of masks and business restrictions in the state.
The health department is urging those who haven’t to get vaccinated and everyone inside to wear masks again to help stem the tide of rapidly accelerating infections.
“We need to pretend we are now in phase 4 with the community to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 variants,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Department. “Preserving the vaccine is critical to slowing the spread by not hosting new, potentially vaccine-resistant variants. Vaccinations prevent death and hospitalization, and masks help prevent the spread of disease. Adding another layer of protection is essential to protect our healthcare infrastructure. ”
The occasional upswing is fueled by the powerful and highly contagious Delta variant. As of July 20, four cases of the Delta variant in the region had been confirmed by sequencing, according to Austin Public Health.
Austin isn’t the only part of Texas grappling with increased cases and hospitalizations. The state as a whole topped the test positive rate of 10% earlier this week for the first time since February.
Vaccinations are still an issue. Less than half of the state’s nearly 30 million residents are vaccinated, and data analysis by Georgetown researchers identified a large cluster of undervaccinated counties in Texas that could prevent the country from achieving herd immunity.
“Education remains a priority – we need the students to be able to safely return to face-to-face classes in the fall,” said Adrienne Sturrup, interim director of APH. “In order to see this safe return and not add to the rise in cases, it is important now to take additional protective measures such as masking and for parents to vaccinate their children if they are entitled.”
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 3,304 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, 997 new probable cases, and 24 new deaths attributable to the virus on Tuesday. As of Monday, 3,319 Texans will be treated in hospitals for COVID-19.
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