AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Travis County reached another grim milestone in the fight against COVID-19 Wednesday, surpassing more than 1,000 deaths since the pandemic began early last year.
The 23 new deaths reported Wednesday pushed the Travis County COVID-19 death toll to 1,004.
"With more cases comes more deaths and while symptoms may be insignificant to you, not wearing a mask, not social distancing, and not staying home when sick, are contributing to the spread that will eventually reach a loved one who dies.” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “We need to work together as individuals to survive as a community.”
A key metric that health officials have been watching is the 7-day moving average of new hospitalizations, which has steadily declined in the past two weeks since peaking near 84 on Aug. 11. Wednesday, officials reported a 7-day moving average of 57, a level last seen in late July.
While new hospitalizations have fallen, the area's intensive care beds remain under extreme strain. According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, only two staffed adult ICU beds remained available in Trauma Service Area "O", the 11-county area surrounding Travis County. 205 COVID-19 patients were in ICU beds in the five county metro area, according to Austin Public Health.
APH officials say the deaths range in age from people as young as 20 years old to over 80 years of age. While nearly 78 percent of the deaths were 60 or older and nearly a third were 80 or older, officials say the Delta variant did has increased hospitalizations and the need for life support for children and young adults.
“Almost all of our recent deaths are unvaccinated,” said interim Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “When you get vaccinated, you are showing your kids leadership. When you wear a mask, you are teaching them to respect being a part of the collective community. You are instilling values they will carry with them throughout their lives.”
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