Coronavirus: Austin Illness Count Grows To 856, 2 More Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Travis County rose by 82 on Monday, with two more deaths reported in a 24-hour period. The toll to date: 856 confirmed cases of respiratory illness, with 11 deaths.

Austin Public Health updates the illness count daily, providing a dashboard with data related to the illness outbreak regionally — number of cases, concentration of illness per ZIP code, male-to-female ratio of affliction and number of cases per age group.

According to the data, 93 patients are currently hospitalized after contracting the COVID-19 virus, with 49 in intensive care and 23 on ventilators.

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Statewide, the number of coronavirus cases stood at 13,906 with 287 fatalities — an increase 422 cases and 16 more deaths in a 24-hour period from figures posted on Sunday. On that day, the 13,484 known cases of coronavirus represented an increase of 923 cases that had been registered the day before. The revised numbers were updated by Texas Department of State Health Services.

Despite the mounting rate of illness and rising death count blamed on coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott took steps on Monday to open up the state economy — the world's 12th largest — to reignite stalled commerce amid temporary business closures.

All but those businessed deemed "essential" — grocery stores, pharmacies and financial institutions — have been ordered closed to promote physical distancing as a way of mitigating the spread of illness. The COVID-19 virus is transmitted in respiratory droplets emitted by coughing or sneezing.

Previous coverage: Coronavirus: Travis County Count Grows To 774, With 30 New Cases

But amid the growing threat, Abbott is working on yet another executive order to restart commerce in Texas, he said during a press conference on Monday. He acknowledged it would be a "slow process" informed by health officials' guidance. Abbott assured the re-opening of businesses would be be a "rush-the-gates, everybody-is-able-all-at-once" proposition, but one guided by a "comprehensive team" of consultants.

Abbott teased an announcment about reigniting the state economy on Friday, only to say on Monday he would unveil details of the plan in the coming days. More substantively, Abbott unveiled a $50 million loan program aimed at small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the outbreak.

Goldman Sachs and the LiftFund, along with other community development financial institutions, are partnering to provide the fund as part of the former's 10,000 Small Businesses program. These loans, made through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, will primarily be used for payroll so employees can continue to receive paychecks and small businesses can retain their employees and will be partially or wholly forgiven, Abbott explained.

"Small businesses and their employees are at the heart of the Texas economy, and they need support during these difficult times,” he said. “These loans will help us revitalize our economy and restore Texans’ livelihoods as we respond to COVID-19. This partnership is an important first step in our journey to economic recovery in the state of Texas."

Added John Waldron, President and Chief Operating Officer of Goldman Sachs: "We have seen first-hand the determination and resilience of small business owners in Texas, having worked alongside them for years through our 10,000 Small Businesses program," he said in a prepared statement. "Goldman Sachs understands that our communities and economy rely on small business and we are doing everything we can to support this vital engine of economic growth and employment."

Goldman Sachs will provide the capital as part of its $550 million commitment to COVID-19 relief, and LiftFund, alongside other community development financial institutions, will administer the funding to qualified small businesses. If all stipulations are met, small business can have their loans forgiven in full by the Small Business Administration, officials explained. Business owners can apply for a PPP loan and find more information about the program on the LiftFund website.

Attending the program unveiling in addition to Abbott and Waldron were President and CEO of LiftFund Janie Barrera; Brent Reaves, owner of Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que in Dallas; Patricia and Clint Butler, owners of Coffeecionado Community Roasters in San Antonio; and Michele and Mitch Allen, owners of iRun Texas in San Antonio. The Butlers and Allens will be the first to benefit from this partnership to provide PPP loans in Texas.

About LiftFund

LiftFund is a non-profit organization, headquartered in San Antonio, that helps small business owners with limited access to capital. The company offers small business loans and minority business loans for entrepreneurs. LiftFund partners with SBA lenders and other lending institutions to provide startup loans, SBA 504 Loans, and microloans in Texas, and throughout the South Eastern U.S. In 2018, LiftFund had 591 donors, 118 investors, 500 partners, and 100 employees.

About Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world.