Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Gov. Abbott places state resources on standby ahead of potentially severe weather

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AUSTIN, Texas — KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, news in the Austin area.

Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE’s April 28 live blog.

Top Headlines:

Updates:

2:45 p.m. – Gov. Abbott announces that resources have been put on standby ahead of potentially severe weather in the forecast.

“As severe weather approaches, the state of Texas is taking the necessary precautions to ensure our communities are safe and first responders have the resources they need,” said Gov. Abbott. “I urge all Texans in the storm’s path to heed warnings from local officials and be mindful of weather alerts.”

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has notified the Texas Highway Patrol, Texas A&M Forest Service Saw Crews, Texas Parks and Wildlife Water Rescue Boats, Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service Urban Search and Rescue and Swift Water Rescue Boat Squads, and Texas Department of State Health Services Ambulance Strike Teams. The Texas State Operations Center is activated at Level II in support of the ongoing response to COVID-19.

2 p.m. – On Tuesday, Williamson County announced it is investigating a second cluster of COVID-19 cases at a local nursing home, following the confirmation of a cluster at a facility in Round Rock.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that around 50 people, including residents and staff, at the Trinity Care Center had tested positive for the virus.

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said a paramedic who helped raise the alarm about the cluster is a “hero” who potentially helped save lives. The county has now tested every resident and staff member at the facility, he said.

Gravell did not reveal much information about the county’s second nursing home cluster, but said health officials are investigating and working to protect residents and employees at the facility.

1:30 p.m. – An eleventh Capital Metro employee has tested positive for COVID-19. This marks its ninth driver who has tested positive.

1 p.m. – Nearly an hour after the county announced it’s seventh death via a press release, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravel announced an eighth death in the county from coronavirus in a virtual press conference.

LISTEN TO THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE:

12:15 p.m. – Williamson County has announced another death from COVID-19, a woman in her 60s.

“As joyful as I am that we are beginning to open up Williamson County at the end of this week, we are again reminded of the seriousness of this disease. Today, we lost another resident of our Williamson County. My prayers are with her family,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell.

There are a total of 287 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Williamson County, with 155 people recovered from the virus.

12:10 p.m. – The Texas Medical Association announced it will work with state agencies, county medical societies and other statewide health organizations to establish an online portal where health professionals can apply for shipments of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Applications will be forwarded to through eight Hospital Preparedness Programs and Regional Advisory Councils to make the supplies available for county medical societies and other organizations to distribute. Supplies will be prioritized based on medical practices’ current supply of N95 respirators and other PPE, as well as typical daily usage, medical specialty, patient population and other factors.

12 p.m. – KVUE learns an Austin-area nursing home has had 12 patients die from COVID-19. Here’s what we know.

11:30 a.m. – Williamson County announces that it has received $93,382,340.10 through the CARES Act.

“The federal government has decided that the local governments are the most knowledgeable and best prepared to decide how to disperse this money. This is a large amount of money; however I would much rather that local officials make the decision on how to use this money than to leave that decision to Washington,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell.

11:20 a.m. – Austin ISD announced that out of an abundance of caution, deliveries on routes served by buses 2161, 2162 and 2165 have been canceled until Monday, May 4. This cancellation is due to an employee that was not feeling well, but did not have symptoms, in the kitchen that services the affected bus routes, AISD said. The employee was tested for COVID-19 on April 27 and staff who were in direct contact have been asked to quarantine until results are released. The affected bus stops are listed below:

2161

Paredes Middle School
Island Oak Dr & Auction Oak Dr
Desert Willow Lp & Desert Primrose Dr
Wayne Riddell Loop & Carismatic Lane
S 1st St & Southpark Meadows Drive

2162

O’Callahan Drive & Eruzione Drive
Alyssas Dr & Olivers Way
Elm Valley Drive & Sparkle Drive
Arroyo Doble Dr & Bear Canyon Dr
Torreon Dr & Altamira St

2165

Ravenscroft Drive & Pickard Lane
Easy Street & Chappell Lane
10601 Menchaca Rd
Rockland Dr & Maydelle Dr
Garbacz Drive & Geoffs Drive
Kocurek Elementary

Check back on this live blog for the latest updates Tuesday.

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