Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed
UT modeling consortium predicts record hospitalizations to come from omicron, leading APH to take action

Austin is currently in Stage 3, in which APH recommends everyone where a mask to slow the spread of the virus. (Pexels)
Austin Public Health has updated its COVID-19 risk-based guidelines, expressing concern over the fast-spreading COVID-19 omicron variant ahead of the holidays.
Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said on Tuesday morning that APH is following guidance from a COVID-19 Modeling Consortium by the University of Texas. The report, released last Thursday, states that community transmission of omicron could pose record hospitalizations and surpass all previous peaks.
APH has subsequently updated guidelines of Stage 3, from a seven-day moving average of 15-29 to 15-24, and Stage 4 to 25-50.
“We've come together this morning to warn our community of the danger we face heading into the next few weeks," Walkes said. "We are continuing to act as though we're in Stage 2, and if this continues, our ICU beds will fill up and overflow by hundreds by the time the New Year arrives. We are on the brink of Stage 4 and we need to act as such."
Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 3, for which APH recommends the following:
- For fully-vaccinated low-risk individuals:
- Wear masks indoors, especially when meeting with people outside your household and while traveling.
- For fully-vaccinated high-risk individuals:
- Wear masks while gathering with people outside your household, dining out, shopping and traveling.
- For partially vaccinated or unvaccinated low-risk individuals:
- Wear a mask in all situations and get vaccinated.
- For partially vaccinated or unvaccinated high-risk individuals:
- Avoid unessential activities and get vaccinated.
"Don't let this disease be the Grinch to your Christmas and your holidays," chief administrative officer for disease prevention and health promotion Cassandra DeLeon said. "We know that if we mask and we social distance and we stay home and we're sick, we can protect each other."
Though APH officials expressed concern over having to raise guidelines to Stage 4 before the New Year, Chief Epidemiologist Janet Pichette said it is possible to make it through the holidays without moving up a stage.
“Whatever you do right now, if you're going to wear your masks and go out and go shopping and make sure you're being cautious, hopefully, we'll never get to Stage 4," Pichette said. "The things that we do now will set the path for our future and I think we need to be mindful of that."
- First omicron cases detected in Austin - austonia ›
- Austin Regional Clinic participates in trial testing vaccine for delta ... ›
- All about Omicron: what we know about the new COVID variant ... ›
- First omicron COVID-19 case found in Texas - austonia ›
- 5 things to know about the COVID vaccine for your kids as the FDA ... ›
- Austin Public Health seeing 'slight uptick in indicators' pointing to ... ›
- Austin Public Health won't downgrade to Stage 2 COVID guidelines ... ›
- Austin moves to Stage 4 COVID risk-based guidelines as omicron increases community transmission - austonia ›
- Austin Schools make changes to spring semester during omicron surge - austonia ›
- Two new omicron variants detected in Austin as COVID cases continue to rise - austonia ›
Popular
Peyton and Eli Manning's nephew Arch Manning has committed to the University of Texas. (Arch Manning/Twitter)
Arch Manning, the latest prospect in the Manning football family and No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023, has committed to the University of Texas.
Manning is the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning and the son of Cooper Manning, a former wide receiver for Ole Miss. The Manning football legacy began with Archie Manning, Arch Manning's grandfather and namesake who played for the New Orleans Saints throughout the 1970s.
Committed to the University of Texas. #HookEmpic.twitter.com/jHYbjBaF5K
— Arch Manning (@ArchManning) June 23, 2022
Manning joins head Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian's program after a disappointing 5-7 first season. Manning, who has been the starting quarterback at New Orlean's Newman High School since he was a freshman, was the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, according to 247sports.
Manning had plenty of SEC suitors, including Georgia, Alabama and LSU, but committed to Texas after a recent visit to Austin.
- Westlake football makes national rankings ahead of contentious ... ›
- Football players ask University of Texas to change song - austonia ›
- Longhorn football star Sam Ehlinger set to make first career NFL ... ›
- Austinite Hudson Card confirmed for starting quarterback in Week 1 ... ›
- No need for Sark to depart, fans say, as 'rock-bottom' Texas football ... ›
- Austin FC and Texas football fans face moral dillema - austonia ›
(U.S. Marshals Service)
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force has found the Jeep belonging to Kaitlin Armstrong, the accused murderer of professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson.
Armstrong is suspected to have killed Wilson—who was visiting Austin for a race in Hico, Texas last month—in a crime of passion after Wilson met up with her short-term ex-boyfriend Colin Strickland.
The Task Force said the black Jeep Cherokee was sold to a South Austin CarMax dealership on May 13, one day after being questioned by the Austin Police Department, for $12,200.
Armstrong was spotted at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport the next day, en route to LaGuardia Airport, but officials said they lost her trail after she was dropped off at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 18.
Investigators were unable to find any flight reservations under the name “Kaitlin Armstrong” and believe she may be using her sister’s name, Christine.
The case has been designated as a U.S. Marshals Service major case, which brings in more resources to the investigation; officials consider Armstrong dangerous. According to an anonymous tipster, Armstrong became “furious,” when she found out about Wilson and Strickland’s meeting and wanted to “kill” her.
Authorities believe the longer Armstrong is evading arrest, the more dangerous she may become, so anyone who sees her is encouraged to call 911 instead of approaching her. A $6,000 reward, along with an additional $15,000 from an anonymous donor, has been issued for information leading to her capture.