Travis County Coronavirus Cases Grow By 247, 7 New Deaths

AUSTIN, TX — The number of cases of the coronavirus in Travis rose by 247 on Monday, raising the historical total to 11,926. In addition, seven more deaths were reported in raising the total fatality count to 144.

The statistics were provided on a dashboard maintained by Austin Public Health. Total hospitalizations were unchanged from the 446 reported on Sunday, according to the data, with 140 people treated at intensive care units and another 83 placed on ventilators.

Among the data, a key statistic — the rolling seven-day average for new hospital admissions — is the one arguably causing the greatest amount of hand-wringing by health officials. The average is now 64.6, precariously close to the barometer of 70 that health and city officials have said would increase precautionary measures to Stage 5 and trigger a potential lockdown of the city.

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In one of his recent "Got a Minute?" Facebook broadcasts to keep residents apprised of coronavirus developments, Austin Mayor Steve Adler confirmed the Austin Convention Center is being prepared as something of a large field hospital in anticipation of a surge of new coronavirus cases as hospital beds and resources dwindle.