Tag Archives: Austin Public Health
Austin Public Health official says there's a 96% chance the Covid-19 epidemic is growing in the area
Austin’s top doctor said Wednesday there’s a 96 percent chance the Covid-19 epidemic is growing in the area, up from about 90 percent the day before. “This is not an Election Day gimmick. This is real,” Dr. Mark Escott, interim…
Public Health • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Oct 22, 2020
Austin Public Health official says governor relaxed capacity rules too soon
Lee esta historia en español. Austin Public Health’s interim health authority says he would have rather waited a few more weeks before easing capacity restrictions for businesses in the area. On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that many businesses, including…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Sep 21, 2020
Thousands of free masks and hand sanitizer will be given out in Travis County's Covid-19 hot spots
Lee esta historia en español. Tens of thousands of face masks and bottles of hand sanitizer will be distributed for free in coronavirus hot spots in the Austin area, public health officials announced Wednesday. The distribution events, the first of…
Public Health • By Andy Jechow, KUT • Sep 4, 2020
New Austin Public Health plan addresses Covid-19 disparities in Hispanic/Latinx community
Austin Public Health has revealed a new draft strategic plan to tackle disparities in Covid-19 cases in the city’s Hispanic/Latinx community. The plan, developed by the Hispanic/Latinx strike team within APH’s new Social Services Branch, is divided into four strategic…
Public Health • By Savana Dunning • Sep 2, 2020
Travis County expands public health orders to unincorporated areas, fines up to $500
The Commissioners Court unanimously approved an order Tuesday making Austin Public Health’s Health Authority Rules enforceable in unincorporated areas of Travis County. Individuals who do not abide by the local health authority’s pandemic mitigation plan may face fines of up…
Public Health • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 5, 2020
City prepares ordinances to tap brakes on reopening and slow virus spread
City Council approved two ordinances Thursday intended to bring local businesses into compliance with regulations near to Phase 1 of Gov. Greg Abbott’s reopening plan. “We can’t take the foot off the gas – we are not clear of this…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Jul 10, 2020
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Austin Public Health could push for more restrictions as Covid-19 hospitalizations surge
Austin surpassed a crucial threshold for Covid-19 hospitalizations Tuesday, which could signal possible restrictions on businesses and nonessential travel. The seven-day average of new Covid-19 hospital admissions hit an all-time high of nearly 75, according to numbers out Tuesday evening.…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 8, 2020
Without rapid behavior change, city heads for stage 5 shutdown
After a record number of Covid-19 cases reported over the weekend, the city is urging residents to comply with requirements for social distancing, personal hygiene and wearing masks over the July 4 weekend in an effort to avoid pushing the…
Public Health • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 30, 2020
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
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
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…
