COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update from the City of Austin
District 8 staff note: This information is current as of 6:22 p.m. on 4/30.
The health of Austin and Travis County residents and visitors is our highest priority. Our public health officials are taking appropriate actions to ensure the health and safety of our community. Austin-Travis County leaders have declared a “local state of disaster” to more proactively increase preventative measures in the region.
There are currently 1,654 confirmed cases in the Austin-Travis County area and 47 confirmed deaths of local residents associated with COVID-19. There are 89 patients hospitalized with the illness, 35 in the ICU, and 21 on a ventilator. Reported recoveries from COVID-19 is at 462. 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.
The confirmation of these cases has elevated the Austin Public Health (APH) response to Phase 5 of our five-phase plan, adapted from our pandemic flu plans. We continue to test individuals in accordance with CDC guidelines. We now have 11 test collection points with a public-private partnership between Austin Public Health (APH), St. David’s, Ascension Seton, UT Health Austin (Dell Medical School) and Baylor Scott & White. Testing sites are referral only and will prioritize individuals who are sent by referral and have an appointment at this time. Those seeking testing should work with a healthcare provider to request testing. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms who are uninsured and do not have an established doctor can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 512-978-8775 for guidance.
We continue to monitor and re-evaluate the situation daily and our health officials are prepared to respond as needed. We are in constant communication with other professionals in cities, counties, and states across the country, evaluating information and practices from around the world. In order to protect our health care system, and slow the spread of COVID-19, the City is now under Stay Home-Work Safe Orders. The Orders require individuals to remain in place at home or place of residence, with exceptions for essential work and activities. When conducting an allowed essential activity, people must use a fabric face covering in addition to maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing.
In order to protect our health care system, and slow the spread of COVID-19, the City is now under Stay Home-Work Safe Orders. The Orders require individuals to remain in place at home or place of residence, with exceptions for essential work and activities. When conducting an allowed essential activity, people must use a fabric face covering in addition to maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing.
It is important to note that use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing; Physical distancing and all other hygienic practices outlined in the Stay Home-Work Safe Order should be maintained. Medical masks and respirators should be reserved for healthcare workers. More information on this recommendation, as well as links to CDC and APH guidance on how to make personal face coverings, can be found at http://austintexas.gov/department/covid-19-information/you-and-your-family.
In general, essential activities include, for example, going to the grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants for take-out, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. Essential businesses include:
· Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, convenience stores
· Hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, veterinary offices and other healthcare services
· Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential employees to continue performing their essential work duties
· Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning
· Gas stations and auto repair facilities
· Banks and financial institutions
· Critical infrastructure including energy, water, solid waste collection and other governmental services
· Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses
· Businesses that provide necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities
· Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, and goods directly to residences
· Roles required for any Essential Business to “maintain basic operations,” which include security, payroll, and similar activities
Additionally, pursuant to the Governor’s most recent Executive Order, all construction and religious gatherings are considered essential activities. Worker protection and safety requirements in the City’s Stay Home-Work Safe Order remain in place. Religious services may occur in churches, congregations, or other houses of worship if they cannot be conducted from home or through remote services. In all cases, individuals must observe the social distancing requirements described in the City’s Stay Home-Work Safe Order.
Non-essential businesses may continue operations if work is performed at their own residences (i.e., working from home). More information about the Stay Home-Work Safe Order can be found at www.austintexas.gov/COVID19. Please review the site for any questions you may have. If you aren’t able to find an answer to your question, please call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000. You may also complete this form.
How to Get Help
Before scheduling an appointment with your healthcare provider or walking into a clinic, urgent care center or hospital it is recommended that you use one of these or similar services listed below 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. For your safety and convenience telehealth resources are available: http://austintexas.gov/article/covid-19-information-those-who-are-sick.
The Austin Public Testing Enrollment Form is live and allows individuals to complete an online assessment for COVID-19 testing. Through this form, individuals will be able to create an online portal to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms without having to see their physician. The form will use an algorithm based assessment to evaluate whether or not an individual should be referred to a testing site.
Completion of the online assessment will not guarantee referral to a testing site. Testing will continue to be by appointment-only and tests at the Austin Public Health testing sites will be at no cost to the individual. Austin Public Health will continue to prioritize health care workers and first responders on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as people at higher risk for developing severe symptoms.
Drive-thru tests will be by appointment-only and scheduled through the Austin Public Testing Enrollment Form portal. If you have completed your Austin Public Testing Enrollment Form and you have been approved for a test, please continue to follow these steps to visit an Austin Public Health drive-thru testing site. To access the enrollment tool visit www.austintexas.gov/covid19 and click on the “Take a Self-Assessment” button.
We want to ensure that people seek treatment when symptoms become severe. If your experience any difficulty breathing, chest pains, a very high fever (>104), confusion, or an altered mental state you should contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Your emotional needs are important and if you are worried or upset, there is help. You may be feeling anxiety and worry, sleeping troubles, over or under eating, or sadness and depressed mood. If you have any of these symptoms, please reach out to:
• Integral Care 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance for Mental Illness Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text NAMI to 741741 Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
How to Give Help
We continue to monitor and re-evaluate the situation daily and our health officials are prepared to respond as needed. We are in constant communication with other professionals in cities, counties, and states across the country, evaluating information and practices from around the world. To see all orders and actions taken please visit www.austintexas.gov/COVID19.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including flu and COVID-19. Critical advice has been issued for people in Austin-Travis County who are aware they have had contact with an individual with COVID-19. The elderly, immunocompromised, and those with underlying health issues are at a higher risk of severe symptoms for COVID-19. For specific actions you can personally take to protect yourself, your family, and the community, please visit www.austintexas.gov/covid19.
Additionally, we have listed a number of community groups at the bottom of this email needing assistance.
Second-Wave Projections for Travis County Area
On Tuesday, several experts briefed Council during a special called meeting on the projected effects of the spread of the coronavirus disease, based on multiple scenarios. Dr. Lauren Ancel Meyers, who is leading the UT-Austin COVID-19 Modeling Consortium, estimated that interactions in the Travis County area are down 95%. However, she warned against the potential effects of opening our area up to increased activity too soon:
Our projections indicate that the Stay Home-Work Safe has likely prevented a COVID-19 healthcare crisis in the region during the first wave of the pandemic. When current measures are relaxed, we may see more COVID-19 transmission in the area leading to a second pandemic wave. Whether or not and how quickly COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise in the second wave will critically depend on the extent to which individuals and communities continue to take steps to reduce the risks of transmission.
The report emphasizes the critical importance of "cocooning" (sheltering) vulnerable populations during a second pandemic wave, including the elderly, those with chronic health conditions, and their caregivers.
The City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department (NHCD) is providing $1.2 million in emergency rental assistance to Austinites affected by the COVID-19 outbreak to be administered through a contract with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA).
The Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) program will distribute one-time rental subsidies through a lottery system similar to HACA’s Housing Choice Voucher program. Residents must apply for the lottery through HACA’s RENT website at www.atxrenthelp.org starting May 4th at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 11:59 p.m. on May 6th. More information is available at www.atxrenthelpinfo.org.
Applicants not selected in the lottery will receive written notification from HACA, with a list of additional potential alternative resources. Should additional funding become available, all eligible Austin renters would be able to apply for subsequent lotteries or programs to ensure the broadest distribution of rental assistance possible.
Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) Funds
On April 9th, the Austin City Council approved the allocation of $15 million to provide immediate direct services and assistance to Austin residents who are particularly impacted by COVID-19. This funding is available to social services agencies seeking to expand existing services to provide immediate direct services and assistance that are equitably dispersed for vulnerable populations. Eligible agencies can now apply for funding by visiting www.austintexas.gov/RISE.
The City of Austin recently contracted with the Family Independence Initiative (FII), a nationally-respected nonprofit that provides cash assistance to families in need. FII is teaming up with 30 local community-based groups who work with the most vulnerable families in Travis County to disperse $2 million in direct cash assistance. These groups are:
10,000 Fearless First Responders
Allgo
Austin Asian Community Health Initiative (AACHI)
AVANCE
BASTA
Black Mamas
Black Women in Business
Breakthrough Central Texas
Community Coalition for Health
Communities in School Central Texas
Communities of Color United for Racial Justice
Dove Springs Proud
Family Elder Care
Go Austin/Vamos Austin
Grassroots Leadership
Greater Mount Zion Church
Mama Sana, Vibrant Woman
MISMA
Saffron Trust Foundation
Out Youth
JUST
Survive2Thrive
Todos Juntos Learning Center
VELA
Workers Defense Project
Youth Advocacy
YouthRise
Additional organizations may be included as needed. These community partners can begin requesting funding for identified families beginning May 4, 2020.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance due to the impact of COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Community Resources page or call 2-1-1.
Economic Injury Bridge Loan (EIBL)
applications open through May 8
The Austin Economic Injury Bridge Loan (EIBL) program is accepting applications through May 8 at coaloans.com. Eligible local small businesses can apply for up to $35,000 to cover expenses such as payroll, rent, and debt. The EIBL is intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major disaster hits until a business has secured recovery resources. In order to qualify, businesses must be headquartered within a City of Austin Council district and have already applied for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
Free Curbside Meals for Kids
This week, Austin ISD began providing free meals to youth under 19 at more than 70 locations around Austin, including Oak Hill Elementary in District 8. Adults are able to pick up the meals without a child present with one of the following forms of documentation:
Official letter/email from school that shows children as enrolled
Individual student report cards
Attendance record from Parent Portal of school website
Birth certificate for children not in school
Student ID cards
Students do not need to attend an Austin ISD school to receive a free meal. On Fridays, children may receive six meals to sustain them through the weekend.
The hours at Oak Hill Elementary are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional information and locations can be found on Austin ISD's website.
Lend A Hand ATX
The Austin Tech Alliance announced their new initiative, Lend A Hand ATX. It connects their members with those in the community needing technical assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. This can include website development and maintenance, branding or social media advice, IT services, tutoring, and more. To sign up for assistance or to volunteer, visit their website at lendahandatx.org.
Scenic Brook Pocket Park
In 2019, the Scenic Brook and South Windmill Run Neighborhood Associations were approved for design services from Austin Parks Foundation (APF) for park master planning services to revitalize the 0.89 acres of undeveloped parkland. Last week, APF announced that the final plan has been submitted to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Approval of the plan is anticipated in Summer 2020. Updates on the park's progress, including the draft Master Plan, can be viewed on the APF website.
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.
