What a difference a year makes in Abilene s travel and tourism outlook
Our view
For example, those in the tourism and travel industry.
The nation had been locked down for weeks. No one was going anywhere, especially to where COVID-19 held its tightest grip. Think New York state.
The Abilene metro area did not escape. All events were canceled or postponed for too long a time.
Numbers show that travel spending locally fell 17.7%, and employment by 14%.
In 2019, those visiting Abilene added more than $500 million to the local economy. That fell to about $416 million in 2020.
The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau reports that at least 214 events were canceled, a loss of $17 million in direct spending for local businesses.
COVID-19: Taylor County adds 1 death, 17 cases Tuesday
The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District reported Tuesday one COVID-19-linked deaths, 17 new cases and 14 recoveries.
The deceased – a man in his 80s – brings the total number of county deaths linked to the coronavirus to 401.
Of the 17 new cases, 10 were confirmed via polymerase chain reaction tests.
Active cases total 214 (106 PCR cases and 108 confirmed via antigen tests). A week ago, active cases numbered 152.
COVID-19 inpatients at the Abilene hospitals total 16, which is two more than Monday. The average age of the patients is 58, and seven live outside Taylor County.
The percentage of COVID-19 inpatients in the Abilene trauma service area was 1.43% Sunday, compared to 1.34% Saturday and 1.88% Friday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 website.
The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District oh Wednesday reported a jump in new COVID-19 cases, due in part to older tests taken in January and a widespread testing event, officials said.
Taylor County added 29 cases, compared to a total of 46 last week. Of the new cases, 25 were confirmed via polymerase chain reaction tests.
Active cases total 162 (68 PCR cases and 94 antigen cases). A week ago, active cases numbered 146.
COVID-19 inpatients at both Abilene hospital total 11, two more than city officials reported Tuesday. The average age of the patients is 61, and four live outside Taylor County.
The percentage of COVID-19 inpatients in the Abilene trauma service area was 0.75% Tuesday, compared to 0.66% Monday and 0.90% Sunday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 website.
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ABILENE After a year of canceled and curtailed events, Abilene is as open as the Wild West it evokes as part of its history.
Almost all of its tourist attractions will celebrate the unofficial start of the town’s tourist season May 1.
The one notable exception is the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, which will remain closed to visitors. Because it is part of the National Archives and Records Administration, the Eisenhower Library is subject to federal guidelines for reopening, as are all presidential libraries.
But for the rest of the town and Dickinson County, face masks are discretionary, not mandated, and there is no limit on the number of people who gather.
Two of the new cases were confirmed via polymerase chain reaction tests.
Active cases total 142 (57 PCR cases and 85 confirmed via antigen tests). A week ago, active cases numbered 159.
COVID-19 inpatients at Abilene hospitals increased by one to 17, city officials said, compared to Thursday s report. The average age of the inpatients is 63, and five live outside the county.
Health district has 3 vaccine clinics next week
One of three COVID-19 vaccine clinics next week will have evening hours.
The clinics conducted by the health district are:
► By appointment: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Abilene Convention Center.
► Pop-up clinic: 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Abilene Convention Center (one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine).