COVID-19 update
It is possible Travis County’s hospital numbers have begun a downward trend, although only time will tell whether or not that’s gonna hold true. Right now, 205 people are hospitalized. That’s more than 20 less than the county’s final report heading into Thanksgiving break. There are also slightly fewer people in the ICU and on ventilators. 38,045 cases have been found, resulting in 35,087 recoveries.
Williamson County’s COVID dashboard has not been updated since the middle of last week, so the actual numbers there aren’t known. But the last report had 806 active cases, 62 of which require hospitalization. Overall, more than 12,000 cases have been found and more than 11,300 have resulted in recovery.
Virtual learning
With Austin school district students now back at home for the next week, a lot of parents have been thrown a curveball and have been scrambling to make changes to their own work schedules. Education President Ken Zarifis has been demanding virtual learning all year. Now that it’s a reality for this week, he tells CBS Austin the district didn’t give people enough time to prepare.
“I’m concerned about the fact that making a decision like this is hard for a family of lesser means to be able to pivot, and be able to provide child care, and to be able to provide the support for their kids,” says Zarifis.
The district does plan to resume on campus operations one week from today.
Rapid testing at school district
Beginning Wednesday, rapid COVID testing will be made available across the Austin district for all students and staff members who’ve been coming to campus. Six locations will be open, including Burger Stadium, Dobie and Mendez middle schools and Navarro, Travis and Northeast high schools. The district is urging as many people as possible to get that rapid test
UT semester plans
The University of Texas is trying to prepare for the spring semester but concerns over rising numbers are making things a bit uncertain. However, Art Markman with Universities COVID-19 Planning Group, tells FOX 7 students have actually been pretty responsible.
“While we’ve had a small number of illnesses on campus each week, it’s remained pretty steady, so we haven’t had a kind of massive outbreak,” says Markman.
As cases haven’t been spreading through classes or labs, he says he’s been pleasantly surprised by the way younger adults on campus have been handling the pandemic.
It’s really now a waiting game for a lot of doctors who expect to see an uptick in COVID cases following the Thanksgiving weekend. UT Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Leverence says the focus is really on hospital capacity.
“If folks do let down their guard and the virus spreads even more than it has,” says Leverence.
There was an increase after Halloween, and he and many others fully expect one to be seen in the next couple of weeks.
Small Business Saturday turnout
The annual Small Business Saturday event may have done very little to help Austin’s struggling private sector as turnout proved to be a fraction of what it was in any “normal year.” Some owners have been predicting the worst for their businesses, and that concern is being compounded by the massive push to have people shop online for the Christmas season.
Austin entertainment venue aid
Austin’s struggling live entertainment venues could be getting some help from the city of Austin. Very soon, Austin City Council will consider setting aside $5 million to help ailing live music venues on the verge of shutting down. If approved, this could help local musicians and comedians alike get back to performing, which for some, is not only a way to make some money. Area nurse and comic Ashley Sharma says getting up on stage was more than just a financial benefit.
“It was a great way to destress. I found a good community of friends,” says Sharma.
The council will also be considering approving a new economic development program that would reimburse property taxes on entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and childcare centers.
Senior deputy killed in motorcycle crash
Travis County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its own following the death of Senior Deputy Robert Drew, who died over the weekend in a motorcycle crash. He was reportedly headed back from Louisiana when a car driven by a 17 year old boy crossed over into his lane and struck him. It’s not known exactly why that happened. The DPS is investigating that crash.
Mail carrier robbed in Cedar Park
The city of Cedar Park is putting up a $50,000 reward for any information on who robbed a mail carrier over the weekend. Police say this happened on Yaupon Trail near a mailbox collection area. Two people are believed to be involved in the robbery. Along with the city, the Postal Service is also investigating. Robbing a postal worker does carry with it a 10 year prison sentence.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-11-30-20
