Elective surgeries may also now resume, according to Gov. Greg Abbott s order. Author: KVUE staff Updated: 9:19 AM CST February 1, 2021
AUSTIN, Texas COVID-19 patients have made up less than 15% of total hospital capacity in the Austin area (Trauma Service Area O) for seven consecutive days now, meaning restaurants and other businesses can return to operating at 75% capacity and elective surgeries may resume, according to Gov. Greg Abbott s executive order.
Should Austin-area COVID-19 hospitalizations again rise above 15% of capacity for seven consecutive days, businesses will have to operate at 50% capacity, while elective surgeries would be put on hold.
Austin, however, remains under Stage 5 of the City s risk-based guidelines, meaning it is recommended all residents avoid gatherings with anyone outside their own household, avoid non-essential travel and only use contactless options for businesses such as curbside pickup and delivery.
/
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Wednesday that he has sued the City of Austin and Travis County, a declaration that came a day after local leaders declared new restrictions for when restaurants and bars can serve customers during New Year s weekend.
Paxton filed a petition for temporary injunction and a temporary restraining order in Travis County District Court targeting orders made by Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown. Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases, they announced that dine-in food and beverage service must be restricted indoors and outdoors from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., starting Thursday and ending at 6 a.m. Sunday. The measure did allow drive-thru, curbside pick-up, take out, or delivery services.
ICU doctor explains what working in Austin hospitals is like during pandemic
Dr. Hayden explained the toll caring for Austin s sickest patients is taking on hospital staff.
AUSTIN, Texas - As COVID-19 cases climb in the Austin area and across Texas, an ICU doctor is begging people to take precautions.
Dell Medical School Dr. Shailaja Hayden said she worries the level of care for patients could suffer if the Austin community doesn t take guidelines seriously.
The conversation was held during a Facebook live broadcast with Travis County Judge Andy Brown. Hayden, a pulmonary and critical care consultant, was speaking from the room of one of the patients she recently lost to COVID-19.
Austin elevated to Stage 5 restrictions - what does that mean?
By Kacey Bowen
Austin elevated to Stage 5 restrictions - what does that mean?
Officials stressed that people should approach the holidays with a new and open mindset about how to spend their time, but still follow the guidelines.
AUSTIN, Texas - As hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases continue to increase, Austin-Travis County has now moved into Stage 5 for the COVID-19 risk assessment. In this stage we’re seeing so much community spread going on that anywhere we go, outside our household, we have to consider ourselves at risk, said Interim Public Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott.