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Austin health officials: COVID curve is flattening, but vaccine rollout remains slow

Austin public health officials pointed to some positive signs—an apparent flattening of new confirmed COVID cases and related hospitalizations as well as a falling community positivity rate—during a special joint meeting of the City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. But they also tried to manage the public's expectations regarding the ongoing vaccine rollout, which remains slow due to limited supply.
Local COVID curve may have reached its latest peak
After an alarming surge in cases in Austin, and across Texas, following Christmas and New Year's, there are signs that the curve is flattening. The moving average number of COVID-related hospital admissions hit a peak of 94 nine days ago and now is around 88.
"This is a good sign," Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said. "It's not going down yet, but it's at least flat, which I think indicates that our community is responding."
(Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Public Dashboard)
Hospital capacity has been a particular concern in recent weeks. The state opened up an alternate care site at the Austin Convention Center downtown earlier this month as area ICUs neared capacity, and 10 low- to mild-acuity COVID patients are currently being cared for there.
Updated projections from the COVID-19 Modeling Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin, which rely on hospital admission numbers and mobility numbers, now estimate the pandemic will remain flat locally, an improvement from last week when they indicated a worsening crisis.
Similarly, the community positivity rate has also fallen, from 16.2% during the second week of January to 12.8% this past week. "This is a positive indication that things may be slowing significantly," Escott said.
(Austin Public Health)
Still, Travis County remains in Stage 5 according to Austin Public Health's risked-based guidelines—the highest state. The goal positivity rate is 3% or lower, which would allow for less severe restrictions for residents and businesses.
Vaccine supply remains low
Six weeks into the federal vaccine rollout, Austinites remain frustrated by the limited supply of vaccines and mixed messages from state and local officials about who qualifies for a shot—and where to find them.
For the last two weeks, APH has been the only or the main recipient of vaccines from the Texas Department of State Health Services, receiving 24,000 doses and being designated as a hub provider because of its ability to stand-up mass distribution events. Still, the demand for vaccine among individuals in the 1A and 1B priority group far outweighs supply.
Since APH launched a pre-registration system last week, more than 166,000 people have created accounts, despite some tech issues. Of those, more than 60,000 qualify for a vaccine according to the current guidelines, Director Stephanie Hayden-Howard said. Most of them—nearly 90%—are 60 years of age or older.
APH opened some appointments for its latest batch of 12,000 doses, which were claimed within two hours, according to a department spokesperson. Additional appointments will become available later this week.
But many individuals in the priority groups continue to run into roadblocks, overwhelming area providers and their local elected officials with phone calls that often lead nowhere.
This is because Travis County has received 87,825 doses of the vaccine, compared to the 285,000 residents who fall in the 1A and 1B priority groups.
"It is critical that we manage expectations," City Manager Spencer Cronk said.
Escott offered some glimmers of hope amid the current frustrations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve an emergency use authorization for the AstraZeneca vaccine later this month, which could increase the federal supply.
"Our hope is that we can increase the volume of vaccine available," he said, adding that many local providers—including H-E-B, Austin Regional Clinic, CVS, Walgreens and UT Health Austin, in addition to APH—are capable to administer thousands of vaccines a day once they have the doses needed to do so.
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Popular
(Gulfstream)
Elon Musk has placed an order for a new, top-of-the-line private jet: a Gulfstream G700, Austonia has learned. Delivery is expected in early 2023.
Billed as offering “the most spacious cabin in history,” the aircraft seats 19 and soars above the rest of us at up to 51,000 feet. Base price: $78 million.
The Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award for excellence in cabin design this year. (Gulfstream)
According to the Gulfstream website, the G700 can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles without refueling, enough range to fly nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it has its own Wi-Fi system, 20 oval windows measuring 28” x 21”, and two lavatories.
The sweet new ride will replace his current top-of-line private jet: a 2015 Gulfstream G650, the aircraft that has been made somewhat famous by the automated @elonjet Twitter account, which tracks and reports his personal aircraft’s movements using public data.
Landed in Austin, Texas, US. Apx. flt. time 44 Mins. pic.twitter.com/jZ7HI0i4iV
— ElonJet (@ElonJet) June 24, 2022
Musk has repeatedly championed “free speech” as a guiding ethic in his planned purchase of Twitter. Last December, Musk offered the teenager who built the @elonjet tracker $50,000 to shut it down, citing security concerns. It’s still up.
According to the @elonjet account, Musk’s jet last traveled to Austin, where it’s been since June 23. The associated data says that his flight to Austin burned $2,573 worth of aviation fuel and discharged 4 tons of carbon dioxide.
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(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.