Interim Austin-Travis Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott doubled down yesterday on his conviction that state legislators should receive priority vaccinations, even if it means young and healthy lawmakers receive the vaccine ahead of more at-risk people. Citing both the in-person legislative session and the risk of a superspreader event potentially impeding the lawmaking process, Escott […]
Public Health
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Hundreds line up for Covid vaccines from Austin Public Health. But the wait was ‘worth it.’
Frank Kucharski and his wife, Jill Jones, were near the back of the line that wove around an Austin Public Health vaccination center at least twice in Northeast Austin on Thursday. They estimated they had a three-hour wait ahead of them – but at least the weather was nice. “I’m glad it’s a sunny day, […]
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Travis County officials say infusion center for Covid-19 antibodies is struggling to keep up with demand
The demand for monoclonal antibodies to treat Covid-19 is “far outstripping supply,” officials said at a news conference Wednesday. “We are working hard to expand the capabilities at the infusion site to performing 75 infusions a day,” Dr. Jason Pickett, the EMS System deputy medical director for the city of Austin and Travis County, said, […]
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Alternate care site opens in Austin as area hospitals reach capacity
The Covid-19 alternate care site at the Austin Convention Center is now open as the county’s interim health authority warned overwhelming the area’s hospital system is “inevitable” at this point. “Patients will be referred here directly from hospitals; this is not a site where individuals can show up and receive care for Covid-19,” Dr. Mark […]
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‘Stay home and don’t travel,’ public health officials advise Austinites
Lee esta historia en español. People should take the rising number of Covid-19 cases into consideration as they weigh their holiday plans this week, the interim health authority for Austin-Travis County said. “Our best advice is stay home and don’t travel,” Dr. Mark Escott told reporters during a news conference Monday. Escott said the city […]
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Thousands of Central Texans are facing hunger because of the pandemic. The need isn’t going away any time soon.
Hundreds of cars trailed out of Navarro Early College High School’s parking lot on Monday morning, as families lined up to receive boxes of food – gallons of milk, bags of potatoes, packs of meat. Like many organizations that operate food pantries, the nonprofit Austin Voices for Education and Youth switched to a drive-thru model […]
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As active Covid cases rise, officials warn of possible curfew, beg Austinites to have socially distanced holidays
Roughly nine months into the pandemic, Austin is seeing its highest number of active Covid-19 infections ahead of the holidays, and health officials are begging residents to limit contact to battle back the virus’ spread. Austin Public Health attributes the rise in cases largely to gatherings over Thanksgiving. Forecasts suggest that if left unchecked, the […]
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‘I’m so excited, I’m like shaking’: Austin health care workers receive first Covid-19 vaccines
Esmeralda Torres’ eyes lit up above her mask as she talked about the Covid-19 vaccine she’d gotten in her right arm Tuesday morning. “I’m so excited, I’m like shaking,” she said. “I’m so happy.” Torres, a medical assistant at UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute, was one of the first people in Austin to receive the […]
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Council committee hears update on effort to ensure menstrual equity
Members of the City Council Health and Human Services Committee considered an update on a Menstrual Equity Initiative, and how to fund it, at their most recent meeting. Meg Moore, community associate for the District 1 office, brought an update about the initiative, which has been underway for the past six weeks and currently consists […]
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Health officials say vaccinations could begin in Austin next week once FDA gives approval
Austin Public Health’s interim authority said he’s “extremely impressed with the efficacy and safety” of the Pfizer and BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine’s overall efficacy is 94.6 percent, Dr. Mark Escott said during a news conference Wednesday, and for people between the ages of 16 and 55 the rate is 95 percent. He said the […]
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Council removes limits on food insecurity funding
City Council at its last meeting voted to remove limitations on using Community Development Block Grant funds to fight food insecurity in low-income areas. The ordinance, sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza and co-sponsored by Council members Greg Casar, Natasha Harper-Madison, Paige Ellis and Mayor Steve Adler, amends a previous ordinance that lays out […]
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Austin Public Health urges people who gathered for Thanksgiving to get tested and stay home
Austin Public Health officials are asking people who traveled for the holiday or celebrated Thanksgiving indoors with people from outside their household to stay home for a week and get tested for Covid-19 within the next few days. “It is critically important that everyone do their part to combat Covid-19 by avoiding gatherings and travel […]