WEEKEND READ: COVID-19 cases soar, Austin-Travis County ICU bed capacity shrinks, Longhorns move, Texas is sued
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AUSTIN (KXAN) – Just a week after Austin-Travis County transitioned to level 4 risk-based COVID-19 guidelines, case numbers and hospital admissions have pushed the area nearly to level 5.
On Friday evening, Austin Public Health reported that there were only about 16 ICU beds available for nearly 2.3 million people in the area. According to the APH, such numbers have not been seen since the pandemic began in March 2020.
Austin-Travis County reaches level 5 threshold
With numbers rising and hospital capacity dwindling, APH is now recommending vaccinated individuals to use drive-through and curb restaurants and restrict social groups. Wearing masks indoors is now also recommended for those who are vaccinated.
For partially or unvaccinated persons, APH says, travel, eating, and shopping should be avoided. Masks should be worn.
Intensive care unit availability critically low as Austin-Travis County cases increase
Virtual learning is back
In response to growing concerns about community broadcast, several central Texas school districts announced that they would be offering virtual options for the fall semester – a stark change from a few weeks ago when all classes were assumed to be face-to-face.
This includes the Austin Independent School District, which offers kindergarten through sixth grade students the opportunity to study from home. AISD is currently only planning a virtual option for the first semester of the 2021-22 academic year.
Parents in central Texas worry about sending children back to school amid the COVID-19 surge
The USA v. Texas
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state of Texas for blocking an order issued by Governor Greg Abbott instructing state soldiers to overtake drivers carrying migrants who may be carrying COVID-19.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland described the order as “dangerous and illegal”.
Abbott’s order mandates that migrants who have been stopped and cannot be transported to another location must remain in border patrol facilities.
DOJ is suing Texas over Governor Abbott’s orders that law enforcement officers stop vehicles carrying migrants
Longhorns leave Big 12
This week, the Texas Board of Regents approved the University of Texas at Austin’s decision to move the Longhorns to the Southeastern Conference.
The SEC voted 14-0 on Thursday to be invited to Texas and Oklahoma State University.
The Horns will begin training camp on August 6th.
UT System Board of Regents approves Longhorns move to SEC
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