Travis County Reports 366 New Coronavirus Cases, 2 More Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — Travis County health district officials reported 366 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday, raising the cumulative level to 37,120. Additionally, two more county residents died of coronavirus to raise the historical fatality death to 478.

The rise represents the second day in a row the county has reported 300-plus new coronavirus cases in a 24-hour span. Austin Public Health reported 318 new cases on Monday. Another 368 new cases of the respiratory illness emerged on Friday.

The data are input on a statistical dashboard maintained by Austin Public Health. The dashboard also shows 2,176 active cases of the illness, 441 less than the 2,617 reported on Monday.

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Fewer people were hospitalized on Tuesday than the previous day, with 239 listed as being treated — 81 at intensive care units and another 47 placed on ventilators. That compares to 219 patients on Monday, including 72 at ICUs and 46 placed on ventilators. The seven-day rolling average of new hospitalizations was 37.6 on Tuesday versus 35 the previous day, as the dashboard shows.

Hispanics continue to be disproportionately represented in illness rates, representing 47 percent of all cases despite comprising just under 34 percent of the population.

Health officials moved the region to the penultimate alert level of a five-tiered scale coded as orange. Under the color-coded alert level, the following is urged:

• Higher-risk individuals (those over the age of 65 and those who have chronic medical conditions) should stay home, except for essential trips such as buying groceries or seeking medical care.
• Lower-risk individuals should avoid social gatherings, any gatherings greater than 10 people, and non-essential travel.
• Recommend businesses and restaurants voluntarily reduce capacity to 25 percent to 50 percent.
• Recommend schools limit attendance at sporting events to players, coaches and parents.