AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Saying it's possible things could get worse before they get better, local health officials on Friday cautioned about the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases across Central Texas.
Austin Public Health officials held a media question and answer session Friday morning, something officials say they'll begin to do again weekly as the area faces increased cases.
"It's not clear that we've reached a peak," Travis County health authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said. "We would like to say that is true, but we also know that there's an impact that's going to be seen as a result of the opening of schools. We're already seeing an increased number of cases in those congregate settings, which are schools and child care centers."
The 7-day moving average of new hospitalizations has slowly dropped, falling to 77 Thursday after a recent high of 84 on Aug. 11.
APH is continuing to encourage everyone to mask up and get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Walkes also said that parents keeping sick children at home and notifying schools if they do get sick, so that contact tracing can be performed.
"If we're able to do that, then this may truly be a peak. However, it's incumbent upon this community to do the things that it needs to do to get this surge to decrease, to get our case numbers to decrease," Walkes said. "And so, we are looking to the community to make those changes and work with us to decrease the spread."
Despite a slight drop in hospitalizations, the number of new cases of COVID-19 has held steady. "I think, you know, with school starting this week, we can anticipate that we're going to see increased numbers over the next week or two before things get better," said APH Chief Epidemiologist Janet Pichette.
APH officials are also launching a new incentive program for people who haven't gotten a COVID-19 vaccine yet. Those who get their first or second dose can get a $50 H-E-B gift card at an eligible APH vaccine location.
