Austin health officials say they expect more monkeypox vaccine doses to head to Central Texas after the Biden administration’s declaration of a public health emergency Thursday. Medical Director Desmar Walkes said Austin Public Health anticipates the extra doses next month. It’s unclear how many doses the area will get, though, so public health officials are […]
Austin Public Health
The regional health authority tasked with protecting Travis County residents from infectious disease and other environmental threats.
Posted inPublic Health
What Austinites should know about Covid-19 during this summer’s surge
Austin Public Health officials say they realize many people are tired of talking and hearing about Covid-19. But with “remarkably contagious and infectious” omicron subvariants circulating this summer, they say now is the time to “redouble our efforts” to protect ourselves and others. Here are the top five messages Austin Public Health has about Covid-19 this summer. […]
Posted inPublic Health
A limited supply of monkeypox vaccines and tests is heading to Travis County after case confirmed
Austin Public Health is requesting testing supplies and vaccines from the federal government to help address the potential spread of monkeypox in the area. The rare disease is caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include fever, aches, chills and a rash of pimples or blisters. It can spread when someone comes in contact with an […]
Posted inPublic Health
Early April is for respecting public health, county decrees
In a retroactive move that was unanimously approved last Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court proclaimed the week of April 4 Public Health Week. According to the American Public Health Association, the first week of April each year is National Public Health Week, a time to focus on community health and the contributions of those […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health to use new Covid-19 risk charts to align with CDC
Austin Public Health is updating its Covid-19 risk guidelines to coincide with new metrics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previously, APH had been using a five-level scale to showcase Covid-19 risk, with Stage 5 being the highest risk level and Stage 1 being the lowest. Each level carried with it a different […]
Posted inPublic Health
Local health officials lift Covid-19 restrictions as infections hit record low
Lee esta historia en español. Health officials in Austin and Travis County announced Wednesday that they are lifting “all Covid-19 emergency rules and orders, effective immediately.” Masking is now optional in most city facilities, except for the airport, clinical settings and jails. According to officials, orders related to masking in public schools, as well as […]
Posted inPublic Health
As Covid numbers improve, city eyes increasing homeless shelter capacity
As Covid-19 infections and other public health indicators related to the pandemic continue to improve locally, City Council members want advocates for the area’s homeless population to look at increasing capacity at shelters around the city. At a recent joint meeting, City Council members and Travis County commissioners looked at whether the Austin Resource Center […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin drops down to Stage 3 Covid risk guidance
Austin-Travis County has moved to Stage 3, the middle level, of Austin Public Health’s Covid-19 risk-based guidelines. The numbers of new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations continue to fall as the worst of the omicron surge subsides in the area. The move follows revised masking guidance issued Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The area […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit finds city slow to move on workforce development recommendations
An updated audit has found the city has yet to implement most of the recommendations made five years ago related to improving workforce development programs within the Economic Development Department and Austin Public Health. The 2022 audit, which was discussed at Wednesday’s meeting of City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee, found that only two of […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin moves to Stage 4 of its risk-based Covid guidelines ahead of SXSW, Austin Rodeo
Austin is no longer at its highest level of Covid risk-based guidelines. Austin Public Health announced Thursday that it’s lowering its guidance to Stage 4. That means fully vaccinated people in the five-county area should wear masks when shopping, dining and gathering with people outside their households. People who have not been fully vaccinated, including […]
Posted inPublic Health
City urges high-risk people to avoid gatherings as Austin moves to Stage 5 Covid precautions
Lee esta historia en español. Austin and Travis County are back at the highest stage of Austin Public Health’s Covid-19 community risk guidance as the omicron variant of the coronavirus has caused a surge of new infections and hospitalizations. The health agency reports the area’s community transmission rate – the number of new cases per […]
Posted inCity Hall
Committee reviews homelessness spending report
As previously reported, City Council issued 47 resolutions, ordinances and other directions related to assisting the city’s homeless population between September 2018 and May 2021. The result was a budget of $179 million for homelessness assistance between 2019 and the current year. Council members Mackenzie Kelly and Leslie Pool requested a special report (see below) on […]