The rate of infections continues to climb across Austin and Travis County, with 554 total cases confirmed as of Wednesday morning. Austin Public Health reports another death has occurred in Travis County, bringing the total number of people to die due to the virus to seven. Younger adults continue to comprise the bulk of all cases in the county, according to Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott.
“About 50% of the cases are between the age of 20-29 and 30-39,” Escott says. “54% male, 46% female, and we are investigating eight clusters that we have detected in Travis County.”
Escott says the average age for an infected person in Travis County is 38.
More than 70 people are still hospitalized, but one silver lining, according to Escott, is hospital capacity, which has remained in good shape at about 50%.
A fourth death has also been reported by Williamson County. Officials say a woman in her 50s passed away this week.
“Our county is mourning another loss today. The sad news is a reminder of the battle we are up against with this virus, and how it will take all of us working together to keep our community from being further impacted,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell.
There are currently 87 confirmed cases in Williamson County, with 37 recoveries being reported and a total of 23 people who were ever in need of hospitalization. But a new University of Texas model is predicting that number of hospitalizations to spike drastically.
“The UT model shows that approximately 100,000 people in Williamson County could end up contracting COVID-19. Of those, they predict 5,000 will be hospitalized with nearly 800 in intensive care and hundreds dying. The only way to prevent this is to be vigilant in our efforts at social distancing and staying home,” said Judge Gravell.
Gravell has extended Williamson County’s stay-at-home order until April 30, but that will likelly be extended again beyond that date. Gravell expects the county to reach its peak for infections in mid-May or early June.
Of the 61 COVID-19 cases in Hays County, 43 remain active with seven people hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
In Bastrop County, four more cases have been confirmed, bringing its total to 15 and one death. But 310 people are under investigation after showing symptoms.
No deaths still in Caldwell County where there are 11 confirmed cases.
