Community Corner
2-Week Coronavirus Spike Prompts Guidance From Austin Mayor
Two straight weeks of upped cases and more diagnoses among younger people prompted Mayor Steve Adler to issue guidance on avoiding illness.
AUSTIN, TX — The mayor of Austin urged residents to take necessary precautions against contracting the coronavirus after increases in the rate of illness over the past two weeks.
"We need to stay cautious and be careful and be disciplined where behaviors are more relaxed," Mayor Steve Adler wrote in his weekly message on Friday. "We’re seeing most new cases in young adults (over 23), mostly associated with social gatherings."
Austin Public Health officials on Friday reported 244 new cases of the respiratory illness, bringing the cumulative total to 34,204. The number of new cases is 37 short of the highest daily count for the county since Aug. 20. By Saturday, health officials reported the level of cases had grown to 34,504 historically. According to the Austin Public Health dashboard, there are 1,962 active illness cases. To date, 466 people have died after contracting the COVID-19 virus.
Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The mayor offered guidance to help blunt the spread of illness: "Remember, people can carry the virus often without knowing it. Practice masking and distancing, even amongst family and friends. Austin Public Health is working hard to slow the spread of COVID-19. If you have been around someone with COVID-19, someone from the health department may call you."
The mayor offered further guidance in the event any resident has been exposed to the illness: "Self-quarantine at home and follow our instructions. Making a choice to help us in the fight against COVID-19 helps protect you, your family, and your community. Help us slow transmission and answer the call to slow the spread of COVID-19."
Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
For more information, visit the COVID 19 Information portal of the City of Austin website. As residents make plans for the upcoming holidays, Mayor Adler urged residents to follow Austin Public Health's Holiday Safety Guidance.
"Remember to wash your hands, watch your distance, and wear your mask," the mayor wrote.
For more information, visit the COVID-19 Information portal on the Austin Public Health website.
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