COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update from the City of Austin
District 8 staff note: This information is current as of 5:53p.m. on 5/28.
There are currently 3,124 confirmed cases in the Austin-Travis County area and 92 confirmed deaths of local residents associated with COVID-19. There are 88 patients hospitalized with the illness, 38 in the ICU, and 22 on a ventilator. Reported recoveries from COVID-19 is at 1,114. The most up-to-date information can be found at http://austintexas.gov/covid19. The website is updated between 5:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
We’ve established a community testing enrollment tool. This new public testing form can be accessed on the City’s COVID-19 website. Create an account and answer a few questions to determine eligibility. Then, schedule testing without referral from a doctor. Completion of the assessment does not guarantee referral to a testing site, and APH will still prioritize health care workers and first responders on the frontline of the pandemic as well as people at higher risk for developing severe symptoms. All testing will be by appointment-only, but at no cost to the individual. Please refer to the press release for more information or visit http://austintexas.gov/covid19.
If symptoms are more severe please contact a healthcare provider immediately. If you are ill, Healthcare providers are encouraging all patients experiencing flu-like symptoms to first use mobile apps or visit websites that have been set up for COVID-19 response. Visit http://austintexas.gov/article/covid-19-information-those-who-are-sick for more information
PLEASE NOTE: The information collected is for medical purposes only. We do not ask about immigration status or share this data beyond what is required to provide public health services.
PREVENTION:
Austin-Travis County still requires using fabric or cloth face coverings when conducting essential activities or work away from your home to help prevent asymptomatic carriers from spreading. Face covers should not replace physical distancing. Please donate any medical grade masks you have to our first responders.
To prevent the spread of #COVID19, people are ordered to stay home + work safe, except for essential activities. If going out is essential, keep 6 ft of space + avoid crowds. This includes refraining from attending social gatherings of any size outside a single household, subject to stated exceptions.
Please continue practicing good hygiene and maintaining social distance. It is important to remember solidarity is key to keeping us together. Social distancing does not mean social isolation. Keep in touch with your family, friends and neighbors. It's important that social distancing does not become social isolation. Keep in touch with your family, friends, and neighbors digitally and via phone.
Healthy Streets Initiative
On May 21, the Austin Transportation Department (ATD) announced the first batch of Healthy Streets. These are:
Bouldin Ave. / S 3rd St. / Garden Villa Ln. from Banister Ln. to Barton Springs Rd.
Comal St. from Manor Rd. to Lady Bird Lake
Country Club Creek Trail extension (Trail, Wickersham Ln., Ventura Dr., Madera Dr.) from Mabel Davis Park to Lakeshore Dr.
ATD also launched austintexas.gov/HealthyStreets, where residents can submit a suggestion for a Healthy Streets, provide feedback, and see answers to commonly-asked questions. The website will be regularly updated with new Healthy Streets as they are announced.
Council Member Ellis was on the Bingham Group Podcast to discuss the rollout of Healthy Streets. You can listen to her interview here.
Project Connect Community Meeting
CapMetro hosted a virtual community meeting with Districts 5 and 8 on Thursday about the planned impact of Project Connect in those districts. Council Members Kitchen and Ellis answered questions about transportation plans for central/southwest Austin and discussed the need for increased public transit.
You can watch a recording of the session on Facebook. You can also view a more general virtual open house anytime on the Project Connect site through May 31.
The current recommended system plan is available here.
Redrawing Council District Boundaries
This month, the City Auditor’s Office launched a new website to ensure transparency and accountability for the planned redistricting of the City’s council districts.
While the mayor is elected citywide, the ten city council members are elected by residents in their respective geographic district. In order to ensure fair representation, Austin has a process for residents to redraw the boundaries of the council districts every ten years.
The new “Shape Austin’s Future” website will be a resource for the community to understand the process for redrawing the council district boundaries in 2021. Per City Charter Article II Section 1, Austin residents on the Commission have the responsibility of drawing the district boundaries through an open and impartial process. The website explains the redistricting process and hosts applications for both the Applicant Review Panel and Commission in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Beginning June 1, the City Auditor’s Office will implement a citywide community and engagement outreach campaign to inform and educate Austin residents of this important opportunity to shape Austin’s future. Visit redistrictatx.org for more information.
City Grants to Support Austin Creatives
On Wednesday, the City of Austin Economic Development Department announced two grant programs to support and sustain local creatives and organizations facing extreme hardships due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund
The Austin City Council approved Ordinance No. 20200423-067 on April 23, 2020 to designate $1.5 million for the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund. Musicians that experienced an economic hardship due to COVID-19 may apply for a $1,000 grant to cover immediate emergency needs. The Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund application will be live and accepting eligible submissions through the MusiCares Foundation on a first-come first-served basis starting on Monday, June 8th, 10am CST.
Austin musicians are encouraged to prepare their answers and documentation in advance by reviewing the checklist prior to the launch date. Visit ATXrecovers.com to preview program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and a checklist of application questions.
These limited dollars are focused on the most vulnerable musicians in Austin, defined as those with two months or less in living expenses currently available. Those not eligible to apply are encouraged to connect with helpful resources and opportunities at ATXrecovers.com. Austin musicians who have already received a grant from the “MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund” are not eligible to apply.
Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program
The Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20200423-040 on April 23, 2020 to provide $1 million for the Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program. This grant will provide direct support to for-profit live music venues, performance spaces, art galleries, arts-focused nonprofits and individual artists facing temporary or permanent displacement.
Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 toward unpaid commercial rent and to defray rent hikes, property acquisition costs, or other space-related needs such as facility improvements or relocation-related expenditures. A Grant Review Committee comprised of public and private sector leaders in the arts, banking, and real estate sectors established by a Joint Working Group of the Music and Arts Commissions will evaluate the applications and make final recommendations for awards. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, and priority will be given to organizations or individuals confronting immediate and critical needs. Organizations serving historically underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.
AISD Serving Meals For Students and Caregivers This Summer
As with previous summers, Austin ISD will continue their summertime meals for students at selected schools. The district received additional funding from the City of Austin to provide meals for caregivers until August or funding runs out. Meals will be prepared by local restaurants and distributed Monday through Friday at Austin ISD curbside and bus stop meal delivery sites. Caregiver meals will be available only to the adults accompanying children or with documentation of the children whose meals are being delivered. You can view more information, including a map of delivery sites, on their website.
El Arroyo Signs around Austin Parks
For a bit of light humor, The Austin Parks Foundation collaborated with El Arroyo for some memorable signs to remind park visitors to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
(Credit: Austin Parks Foundation Twitter)
Ways To Help
Austin-Travis County partnered with local nonprofits in a coordinated food delivery service program for those experiencing homelessness. Donations to the Central Texas Food Bank and The Other Ones Foundation would be greatly appreciated to help with this effort. LinkWe Are Blood is in need of donations of blood and platelets. LinkWe Are Blood is asking for donations of convalescent plasma from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to help treat current patients. Link Oak Hill United Methodist Church is offering assistance to residents who are 60+ years old and cannot leave their home. They are also seeking volunteers who are able to help. LinkThe Red River Cultural District is seeking donations for unemployed venue workers, musicians, creatives, service industry, and production workers. LinkThe Austin Creative Foundation created the Stand with Austin Fund to support nonprofits assisting individuals and small businesses most impacted by the SXSW cancellation. LinkAustin ISD is seeking financial assistance to help with their portable meal service, telehealth medical appointment fees, and support for remote learning. LinkSupport your favorite locally-owned businesses by ordering take-out, delivery, or purchasing gift cards.
