Coronavirus: Travis County Count 2,288, 1 More Death

AUSTIN, TX — The number of new coronavirus cases grew by 53 new cases in a 24-hour span of time, bringing the total number to 2,288 on Wednesday. In that same span of time, another person died of the respiratory illness in adding to a death count now numbering 72.

The tally follows another day of double-digit increases on Tuesday when the number of new coronavirus cases grew by 64, and six more deaths were reported. The number of cases to date stood at 2,235 on Tuesday, with 71 fatalaties since the onset of respiratory illness.

Amid the grim statistics, Austin Public Officials noted on a statistical dashboard that 760 people have recovered from the illness since contracting the virus as of Tuesday. By Wednesday, the recovery rate increased slightly to 782, according to an Austin Public Health dashboard that is updated daily.

The uptick in illnesss followed marked increases posted on Monday, when five more people were reported to have died of the respiratory illness as the illness count grew by 44 cases to 2,171. On Sunday, 32 additional cases were reported in Travis County.

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To see more data, click on the Austin Public Health dashboard. The figures are updated daily by health officials.

The increeases come two weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered for the gradual reopening of the state economy. His orders also include more relaxed rules related to the wearing of protective facial coverings, ending the ability of local officlals to enforce the precaution that is no longer mandatory per the governor's recent orders.

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Two weeks ago, the governor directed operators of malls, movie theaters and restaurants to open at partial capacity as he seeks to reignited the stalled state economy. Last week came a new set of orders expanding the reopenings to other businesses:

• Beginning May 8, cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and shops — and other establishments where licensed cosmetologists or barbers practice their trade — will be allowed to open but must adhere to a distance of at least six feet between operating work stations, the governor said. Tanning salons may also reopen under the same limitation, Abbott added.
• Beginning May 18, office buildings may open with the greater of five or less individuals or 25 percent of the total office workforce per the governor's new order. Office workers must adhere to physical distancing guidelines, per the order.
• Gyms, exercise facilities, and exercise classes could open as soon as May 18, but must operate at 25 percent occupancy. Locker rooms and shower facilities will remain closed, but restrooms may open. Non-essential manufacturing services may also open on May 18 but facilities must limit their occupancy to 25 percent. These newly opened services are subject to recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by state health officials, the governor noted.
• The governor also issued new guidance from the Texas Education Agency centered on graduation ceremonies. In expanding the businesses allowed to reopen, Abbott said gyms could open their doors again as early as May 18 so long as customers wear gloves while using the machines and maintain a buffer of at least 6 feet from others. However, showers and locker rooms must remain closed, the governor said.
• Other sites cleared for reopening are wedding venues and services required to conduct weddings allowed to open their doors immediately, the governor said. However, weddings held indoors other than at a church, congregation, or house of worship must limit occupancy to 25 percent. Wedding reception services may also resume, but facilities also must limit their occupancy to 25 percent occupancy. These occupancy limits do not apply to the outdoor areas of a wedding reception or to outdoor wedding receptions, Abbott noted.
• No timeline was given as to when bars might reopen.

"Texas is in a position to continue opening parts of our economy because of the efforts and determination of the people of Texas," Abbott said during his press conference. "Over the past month, Texans have worked together to contain the spread of COVID-19 by following social distancing practices and staying at home whenever possible."