Coronavirus: Austin Illness Count Reaches 900, 3 More Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — The number of coronavirus cases in Travis County reached the 900-mark on Tuesday, and three more people were reported to have died of the respiratory illness.

The three deaths reported in the course of the last 24 hours brings the fatality rate to 14, Austin Public Health reported. The upgraded illness count represents 44 more cases than had been recorded on Monday. The three additional deaths come in the wake of two prior fatalities reported 24 hours ago, as indicated on an Austin Public Health dashboard that is continually upated by health officials.

The grim milestone comes as city and county officials expanded a "Stay Home Stay Safe" order until May 8, and mandated the use of protective face coverings when outdoors on essential outings — measures taken to mitigate the spread of a disease for which no vaccine exists.

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Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Dr. Mark Escott, the Austin Public Health interim health authority staged a press conference on Tuesday expounding on the expanded mandate.

Statewide, the Texas Department of State Health Services agency tabulated the illness count as of Tuesday to 14,624 — 1,140 more cases than the level posted on Sunday. The death count statewide on Tuesday stood at 318 — 47 more fatalities than posted two days ago.

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Despite the mounting rate of illness, Gov. Greg Abbott is working toward re-opening the state to commerce gradually, despite the continuing need for physical distancing to blunt the spread of illness. In recent orders, Abbott deemed construction and religious services as "essential" in tacit endorsement of congregations in contrast to health officials' guidance for prolonged physical distancing. Abbott is expected to reveal details of his plan to open businesses back up sometime this week, he said during a Monday press conference.