AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- With data trending in a positive direction, local health officials lowered the COVID-19 risk for Austin and Travis County down to Stage 4 Tuesday morning.
Dr. Desmar Walkes, health authority for Austin-Travis County, made the announcement Tuesday during a joint session of the Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court.
“The Delta variant showed us how unpredictable and deadly this virus can be, especially for the unvaccinated,” said Walkes. “However, even as we continue to see the data trending in a positive direction, we cannot act as if the pandemic is over. Our hospital and ICUs still remain at critical levels, and we need the public to continue to work together to ensure we do not contribute to a new surge."
One of the key metrics that health leaders have been watching is the 7-day moving average of new hospitalizations. That metric fell to 33.9 on Monday, the lowest point it's been since late July and just above the threshold for Stage 3 - although officials say they look at several metrics as a group before making any decisions on whether or not to move between stages.
The area's positivity rate has also fallen since reaching a peak of 14.8 percent in early August. It's now down around 8.3 percent. Total hospitalizations for COVID-19 are down almost 33 percent over the last month, falling from 641 on Aug. 27 to 440 on Sept. 27, and the strain on local intensive care units has also decreased, down just over 20 percent over the last month.
Under the Stage 4 guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals are recommended to wear a mask for indoor gatherings and for outdoor gatherings when social distancing cannot be maintained; partially or unvaccinated individuals are urged to avoid gatherings, dining, and shopping unless essential.
As of Sept. 27, officials said, just over 70% of those eligible in Travis County have been fully vaccinated, with more than 80% having received at least one dose.
“While vaccination is a personal decision, those decisions have a direct impact on the health of our community and the hospital system we share with surrounding counties, as well as those who are too young to get vaccinated,” said Interim Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “We cannot afford to take our foot off the gas if we are going to crush this virus and avoid additional surges. As we move into the Fall after an exhausting end of the summer, we need everyone to get vaccinated, for both COVID-19 and the Flu, get tested if they have symptoms and stay home if they are sick.”
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