The library is tracking local COVID data and other community health information to help you with your decision-making for your families and businesses.

TRAVIS COUNTY COMMUNITY RISK

Free COVID testing is likely to end when the the federal COVID emergencies expire May 11. Stock up on free or insurance-reimbursed tests before then. (1/30/23)

Current CDC recommendations emphasize self-protection, testing and masking following exposure, testing if symptomatic, and isolating if infected. (8/19/22)

Current FDA guidelines for at-home testing recommend repeat testing following negative test results. (8/11/22)

Home test for COVID and Flu has been approved by the FDA. (3/23)

 

MASKING GUIDELINES related to community risk levels

  • LOW   Masking optional when gathering, dining, and shopping.
  • MEDIUM
    • If you are up to date on vaccines:  Masking optional when gathering, dining and shopping. Mask when social distancing is not possible.
    • If you are at risk:  Indoor masking when gathering, dining and shopping.
  • HIGH   Indoor masking regardless of vaccination/risk status when gathering, dining and shopping.

TRAVIS COUNTY TRENDS

  • Because of unreported home testing, case counts and transmission rate are no longer a reliable metric.
  • High positivity is a sign of high transmission (should be 5% or less).
  • Cases include confirmed plus probable per TX DSHS.  Travis County hospital counts include 5-county MSA.

  • Trauma Service Area O ICU beds available  27 adult  1 children
  • Eanes data  Last updated 3/31/23
    • 2020-2021 433     2021-2022  1933   2022-2023  363
    • 9 confirmed cases in the last 7 days; 3 active.

OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH MONITORING  (APH)

  • Shigella bacteria (which is easily spread and causes inflammatory diarrhea) is increasingly antibiotic-resistant. We are reminded to take hygiene precautions like washing hands often and well. Learn more from the CDC advisory. (2/24/23) NEW
  • Flu  Flu vaccines have been updated for the 2022-23 season (CDC). Stronger flu vaccines are recommended for those 65+.
    • 2.29% (moderate) of blood samples  in Austin this week were positive for flu (3/18/23). Down from 3.03% from the prior week.
    • 1.93% (low) of blood samples of people reporting flu-like symptoms in Texas this week were positive for flu (3/25/23), up from 1.65% last week.
  • RSV  Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus is cold-like, but can be very serious in children and older adults (CDC). It is contributing to increased pediatric hospitalizations (APH 10/22).
  • MPox  APH confirmed cases 276 (2/13/23)
  • MPox CDC monitoring  U.S. 30,286 cases; Texas 2,926 (3/29/23);  MPox emergency declaration ended 1/31/23 (HHS)
  • West Nile Virus   APH monitors the  mosquito population between May and November. West Nile precautions recommended despite heading into winter season (12/13/22).
  • Harmful algae may be present in Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin (updated 3/10/23)
  • FDA Recalls

COVID DASHBOARDS

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Austin/Travis County Health and City of Austin

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Federal Drug Administration

State of Texas