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Public Health
Austin Public Health offers vaccine incentives
Austin Public Health is offering $50 HEB gift cards to people who receive Covid-19 vaccinations at APH community vaccination sites and fill out a survey afterwards. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations require two separate shots to be effective. Those…
Public Health • By Jo Clifton • Aug 10, 2021
Austin area moves to Stage 5 risk as Covid-19 hospitalizations continue to soar
Lea esta nota en español Austin and Travis County have moved into Stage 5, the highest level of risk in the local health department’s Covid-19 guidelines. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority, said during a news conference Thursday that this…
Public Health • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Aug 5, 2021
As breakthrough cases rise, top doc stresses vaccine's importance
The Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin City Council members will convene a special called meeting today amid growing concerns about the highly infectious Covid-19 Delta variant and a shortage of ICU beds. On Monday, Austin Public Health reported that…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Aug 3, 2021
Mayor, manager at odds over requiring vaccinations
On Wednesday, Mayor Steve Adler urged City Manager Spencer Cronk to require all city employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19, with a few exceptions. His comments came in an emailed press release. A few hours later, a city spokesperson released…
Public Health • By Jo Clifton • Jul 29, 2021
County looks to expand jail-diversion programs
The Travis County Commissioners Court discussed the prospect Tuesday of expanding the scope of the Austin-Travis County Sobering Center to include aid (in the form of jail diversion) to those experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. Currently, the Sobering Center…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Jul 28, 2021
Austin health officials recommend masking up indoors as Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations spike
Austin Public Health is recommending everyone – including those who are vaccinated – wear a face covering indoors as Covid-19 cases continue rising in Austin and Travis County. Local Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes told a joint session of Travis…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Jul 21, 2021
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Austin-Travis County raises Covid risk level to stage 3 as hospitalizations increase
Lea esta nota en español Austin-Travis County returned to stage 3 of the Covid-19 risk-based guidelines Thursday. The change was made after the detection of four cases of the more infectious Delta variant and recent increases in new Covid-19 cases…
Public Health • By Sangita Menon, KUT • Jul 16, 2021
Delta variant may be to blame for rise in hospital admissions
On Tuesday, Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes and Austin Public Health interim Director Adrienne Stirrup updated the Travis County Commissioners Court on Covid-19 and vaccination efforts in the county. “So far, we have not received a confirmed case…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Jul 15, 2021
Austin congressman wants to give local governments the ability to expand Medicaid
Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin is introducing legislation that would allow local governments in Texas to expand Medicaid to more of their low-income residents. During this year’s legislative session, Texas lawmakers again refused to expand the program statewide.…
Public Health • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Jun 22, 2021
Austin-Travis County health officials say Covid vaccine data shows there's still work to be done
More than three quarters of people age 65 and older in Austin-Travis County are fully vaccinated, public health officials said Tuesday. For the entire eligible population – that’s people 12 years and older – the number is more than 54…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Jun 9, 2021
Covid-19 rates in Austin fall below 5% across all races for the first time, health officials say
The Covid-19 positivity rate in Austin and Travis County continues to fall as more people in the area are inoculated against the virus. Dr. Jason Pickett, deputy medical director for the city, said positivity rates for people of all races…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • May 26, 2021
Austin, Travis County move down to stage 2 risk level of coronavirus restrictions
Lea esta nota en español The chief medical director for the city of Austin said Tuesday the area is now at stage 2 of Austin Public Health’s risk-based guidelines. The change is effective immediately. Dr. Mark Escott said the decision…
