Coronavirus: Young Austin Patient In Critical Condition

AUSTIN, TX — In his latest update to the new community related to the coronavirus scourge, the regional health authority on Wednesday began his missive with this grim news: "An individual in their 20s in in crtical condition at a local hospital."

The inference of his opening sentence is abundantly clear in alluding to the indiscriminate nature of a virus that attacks young and old alike, underscoring the need for continually practicing safeguards in averting illness — the now familiar term "social distancing" seen as the most effective way to control the spread of disease amid a growing pandemic.

“The health of the public is in the hands of the community,” Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority, said in a prepared statement. “It is important to understand that young people are not immune from serious illness.

"We implore the community to stay at home even if you are not feeling ill, and before leaving your house ask yourself ‘Is this trip necessary?’ It is the entire community's responsibility to stop the spread, including our young adults and teens.”

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With palpable concern tempered with a steely resolve in mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus — attributes in full display during livestreamed updates that have by now become all too common — the doctor broadcast his latest message as the curve of illness continues an upward trend. His latest missive also comes in the wake of milestones that, while grim, are dutifully reported for posterity and transparency on a recently created dashboard as the virus continues its fearsome and seemingly inexorable reach:

• On Wednesday, the Austin Public Health agency Escott leads reported the biggest single-day jump in diagnoses since local records began — 61 new positive cases for the pervasive illness, bringing the Travis County total to 305. The spike supplants the record-setting one set the prior day, when 38 new COVID-19 cases were added to a 206-patient count the day before.
• Escott's message emphasizing the invulnerability of youth also comes one day after 28 local college students returned from their Spring Break vacation in coastal Mexico infected by the virus. Some 70 young people took the trip on a chartered plane to celebrate their academic reprieve in defiance of health officials' advice on social distancing that's seen as the best way to avert a disease for which there is no vaccine. It's unclear if the young person now in critical condition was among those returning from the resort city of Cabo San Lucas in neighboring Mexico to celebrate their academic break. By Wednesday afternoon, UT-Austin officials told the KVUE news stationthe illness was detected in 16 more of the returning students for a total of 44 newly diagnosed patients among the group.
• Also on the day of Escott's message, word came of the third fatality from the respiratory illness in Travis County that began halfway around the world some 7,729 miles in Wuhan, China, late last year before growing into a global pandemic and becoming a growing fixture in the Texas capital.
• Nationally, reports emerged chronicling the number of patients afflicted with respiratory illness exceeded 200,000 on Wednesday, with 211, 600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 4,745 deaths.

Despite repeated warnings and suggestions from health officials — from the community's health authority in the form of Dr. Escott to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based in Atlanta to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland — some still aren't getting the message. As a result, Escott continues urging the public to stay home except for the most essential of errands to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Related stories:

• Coronavirus: Austin Count Now 305, With 61 New Cases, 3rd Death
• Coronavirus: Travis County Illness Count Grows To 244
• Coronavirus: 28 Returning Vacationers Test Positive In Austin
• Coronavirus: Williamson County Illness Count Grows To 55

The directive applies even if one feels healthy, as people with mild symptoms may significantly contribute to further viral spread to others — including other patients and medical staff on the front lines of medical battle.

“Those who only present mild symptoms may be a significant contribution to spread and therefore, everyone should stay home unless absolutely necessary,” Escott said. With the cadence of plantive mantra, Austin Public Health again issued guidance aimed at flattening the curve of illness:

"If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, call your health care provider or use telehealth resources before visiting a hospital or urgent care clinic. Individuals who are uninsured or without an established provider can call the CommUnity Care COVID-19 Hotline at 512-978-8775 for guidance. A healthcare provider will determine if there is another plausible diagnosis with similar symptoms (i.e. influenza). For suspected COVID-19 cases, your doctor will fill out a form. Austin Public Health (APH) will use this information to assess risk and criteria to determine whether a test is appropriate."

Moreover, Austin Public Health continues to stress the importance of practicing good personal hygiene while maintaining social distance during essential activities to disrupt the spread of the virus. Proper hygiene practices include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more informatin and updates, visit www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.