AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Local health officials are anxiously noting a plateau - even a decline - in coronavirus cases across Travis County over the past week, but the threat of a post-Thanksgiving surge will continue to loom over the area for another week.
Austin-Travis County interim health authority Dr. Mark Escott gave his regular COVID-19 update to Travis County Commissioners Tuesday morning.
"We are really concerned this week and next week about a post-Thanksgiving surge," Escott said. "We will be anxiously watching the data this week to see what happens."
The latest projections from the University of Texas Modeling Consortium shows a decline in the median projection compared to two weeks ago, but Escott said the projections don't take into account the Thanksgiving holiday. Anyone infected with the disease over the Thanksgiving holiday will likely not develop symptoms until the end of this week.
As of Tuesday night, there are an estimated 2,666 active cases of COVID-19 in Travis County, a number that has been on a steady increase since October 1 when there were only 615. 380 new cases alone were reported Tuesday. Since the pandemic began, more than 38,000 Travis County residents have been infected, with 484 deaths.
Statewide, Texas reported 15,182 new cases Tuesday, which is a new record high since the pandemic began. More than 1.1 million Texans have been infected with COVID-19, with 21,549 fatalities.
Officials continue to urge residents to limit gatherings during the holiday season to help prevent the spread, along with getting a flu shot. Escott said he expects that residents will be asked to avoid gathering with anyone outside their household for Christmas and New Year's, just like Thanksgiving.
The area remains at a Stage 4 risk according to Austin Public Health's risk-based guidelines. Recommendations include avoiding all social gatherings, especially those of more than 10 people, as well as avoiding non-essential travel. Businesses and restaurants are encouraged but not required to reduce their capacity to 50% or even 25%.
