AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Increasing hospitalizations due to COVID-19 across Central Texas could result in capacity rollbacks for some businesses as early as next week.
Under Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order from October, if the number of patients who are hospitalized for COVID-19 exceeds 15% of an area's hospital capacity for seven consecutive days, businesses that are currently allowed to operate at 75% capacity have to roll back to 50%.
The hospitalization rate for Trauma Serice Area "O" - which includes the Austin area - moved past that 15% mark on Sunday, and the numbers have continued to increase since then.
In counties where local county judges have allowed bars to re-open, those bars would also have to close their indoor services - but can continue drive-thru, pickup, and delivery services.
The rollback does not apply to businesses such as religious services, local government operations, child care services, youth camps, recreation sports programs for youth and adults, public or private schools, and drive-in concerts, movies or similar events.
Once the hospitalizations have dropped back below the 15% mark for seven consecutive days, the capacity limits go back to the 75% threshold and bars can once again re-open if approved by the local county judge.
The Texas Department of State Health Services divides the state up into 22 trauma service areas. TSA "O" includes Travis County as well as 10 surrounding counties: Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, San Saba, and Williamson.
