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VaxTogether Austin, a volunteer organization that connects individuals to vaccine appointments, has a number of upcoming free vaccine clinics scheduled in and around Austin. (VaxTogether Austin/Facebook)
With nearly 1,600 new COVID cases reported in Austin-Travis County in the past week, there is renewed attention on vaccine outreach.
Public health officials are working toward a vaccination rate of 70% by Labor Day. With 62.94% of the Travis County population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Thursday, it would take around 14,000 residents reaching fully vaccinated status each week to achieve this goal.
Austin Public Health and CommUnity Care administered around 600 doses the week ending July 26, according to APH data, with the most doses being administered in the 78744, 78753, 78758, 78624 and 78745 ZIP codes.
This roughly aligns with the ZIP codes that saw the highest number of new confirmed cases, according to APH. As of July 23, they included:
- 78660: 8,794
- 78744: 5,316
- 78753: 4,595
- 78741: 4,441
- 78758: 3,978
APH is focusing its vaccine outreach efforts on Black and Hispanic communities, given that their members are underrepresented in vaccine uptake compared to their share of the overall population.
"We want in August to see a significant increase in the number of vaccines that we're able to administer, and we are going to do everything that we can in terms of our key messaging and making sure that folks understand the importance of vaccines as well as have access to vaccines in their community to drive those numbers up," Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes told Travis County commissioners on Tuesday.
Still, vaccine uptick remains slow, with an average of 1,145 doses administered by APH and CommUnity Care each week over the last month.
When looking at all vaccine providers in Travis County, the numbers improve, with 16,402 doses administered during the week ending July 25, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Although demand has plummeted in recent months, it does appear to be trending slightly upward amid news of the more contagious Delta variant and rising case counts, with a 30% increase in doses administered week-over-week, according to DSHS.
Employers are also increasingly requiring employees to get the jab. Facebook—with more than 1,000 Austin employees—announced on Wednesday it would require all U.S. employees to provide proof of vaccination to work. Ascension, one of Austin's largest employers, announced earlier on Tuesday that it will require all of its employees to be vaccinated by mid-November. Baylor Scott & White Health and the Department of Veteran Affairs, both of which have multiple Austin locations, also recently announced similar requirements.
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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.