Tag Archives: COVID-19
Area hospitals could reach capacity in mere weeks because of Covid-19, Austin officials warn
Austin-area medical professionals and health authorities warned that local hospitals could be overwhelmed by Covid-19 patients in the next several weeks as the number of cases in Central Texas has surged. “If we do not make significant change right now…
Public Health • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 25, 2020
Travis County’s small business grant program sees $2.5M in requests in three days
In April, Travis County approved $10 million in grant funding to aid small businesses affected by the economic crisis caused by Covid-19. However, it was only last week that Travis County businesses outside of Austin had their first chance to…
Travis County • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 22, 2020
Travis County $10M mortgage and rental assistance program to go live June 29
After spending a month working through the details of a proposed rent and mortgage assistance program for Travis County residents impacted by the economic fallout from Covid-19, the Commissioners Court unanimously voted to allocate $10 million of the county’s $61…
Housing • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 18, 2020
Travis County plans to reopen facilities but with masking requirements
After nearly three months of quiet hallways and locked doors, Travis County facilities will begin reopening at the end of June. To ensure the continued safety of employees returning to the workplace as well as residents accessing county services, the…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 17, 2020
Gov. Abbott says Texas has enough hospital beds to handle increase in Covid-19 cases
There’s no reason to panic over a recent uptick in hospitalizations due to Covid-19, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday. Although Texas has had a record number of people being hospitalized for Covid-19 in the past several days, Abbott said during…
Public Health • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Jun 17, 2020
As Covid-19 cases spike, local officials stress caution and personal choice in slowing its spread
Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Public Health Interim Medical Director Dr. Mark Escott and Assistant to the Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt extended stay-at-home orders Monday in response to a surge in Covid-19 cases, and asked residents to reinvest in precautions to…
Public Health • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 16, 2020
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DeBeauvoir: More than 25,000 ballots in the mail
If you are one of more than 25,000 Travis County registered voters who requested to vote by mail in the July 14 primary runoff and special election, your ballot is likely on its way to you. Travis County Clerk Dana…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Jun 16, 2020
Austin-area Covid-19 hospitalizations hit one-day record, seven-day average now tops 20
A record of 30 new Covid-19 hospital admissions was reported in the Austin area Sunday evening. The seven-day moving average of new admissions increased to 20.6. Austin Public Health has been warning that the average – which has been rising…
Public Health • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Jun 15, 2020
Austin Public Health works to address Covid-19 racial disparities
During last week’s City Council work session, staff reported that Covid-19 is disproportionately impacting the Latinx and African American communities and detailed ways to address and reverse that trend. According to an accompanying memo from Austin Public Health Acting Director…
City Council • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 15, 2020
Updated: Travis County extends moratorium on evictions until July 25
In a new order issued Thursday, Travis County announced it will continue to push back issuing notices to vacate until July 25. This order is applicable countywide and includes the city of Austin. Previously, the county extended a similar order…
Travis County • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 12, 2020
Travis County settles on $7.3M in direct assistance to smaller cities
Travis County will no longer be solely responsible for portioning out the $61.1 million to assist in disaster relief efforts during the pandemic. On June 2, the Commissioners Court unanimously voted to allocate $7.3 million, or $55 per Travis County…
Travis County • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 8, 2020
Council boosts direct economic aid in spending plan for federal Covid-19 money
The city will move more of its federal aid for Covid-19 relief toward direct assistance for residents, with a total of $70 million now dedicated to rental relief, food aid and direct payments to individuals. City Council approved a resolution…
