Travis County Need to Know: 7/17/20
A weekly update of trends and announcements
A look at the data:
Data taken from the Texas Department of State Health Services, up to date as of 7/17/20 at 1:30pm.
Hospitals in Trauma Service Area O continue to linger at 79.9% capacity, likely higher in urban areas. Available ICU beds have dropped to 53. In response, staff from Dell Children’s Medical Center are temporarily moving to other Seton hospitals in the area. The Austin Convention Center is in the process of being repurposed into a field hospital and will open next week. The field hospital is not planning to house any patients who require intensive care, so the ICU bed shortage is currently an important consideration.
Government Action
The City of Austin released an order Tuesday night barring any public or private school in Travis County to reopen schools for in-person instruction before September 7th. Travis County health authority Dr. Mark Escott recommends that Texas school’s take a “default” of virtual instruction for the fall semester, as projections show that anywhere between 40 and 1,370 students could die of COVID-19 transmission in school. This projection does not include cases in teachers, as well.
Local Testing Sites
Testing in Austin is proving to be a hot topic right now. Most tests in the city will not come back for 7–10 days due to backlog, but at that point an individual is no longer infectious. At this point, the best strategy if you think you may have COVID-19 is self-quarantine.
FastMed Urgent Care: No appointment or referral required. Testing is available for all patients, including asymptomatic individuals. Due to high demand, test results are currently taking 7–10 days.
Remedy: Telehealth appointments and drive-through tests in Austin. Uninsured patients can use code CARES at checkout. As of Wednesday, they still allowed asymptomatic individuals to receive a test.
CVS Pharmacy: Tests limited to at-risk patients over 18
Baylor Scott and White: Testing pending in Lakeway location; available with referral downtown.
If you think you might be sick:
- Stay Home and isolate yourself from housemates (including pets), using a face mask as necessary. Monitor your symptoms regularly.
- Contact your doctor about testing and treatment options. When necessary, you leave the house for medical care. If you have trouble breathing, chest pains, blue lips, new confusion, or difficulty staying awake, seek emergency care immediately.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage for full guidance about living with housemates during COVID-19.
