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UT Austin reports three COVID clusters with about 100 cases total
UT Austin confirmed three COVID clusters on West Campus, with approximately 100 cases among them, on Thursday morning.
The University of Texas at Austin reported three COVID-19 clusters in West Campus with approximately 100 total cases on Thursday morning. The university declined to include specific location details in their announcement, citing federal and state privacy laws.
Local health officials define a cluster as three or more confirmed cases in one location.
"The individuals in these clusters are currently isolating and receiving necessary medical attention," per the announcement. Austin Public Health and UT Health Austin are working with the university's contact tracing team to identify other individuals who may have been exposed to the disease.
Since the fall semester began on Aug. 26, UT Austin has reported 318 confirmed COVID cases among students on its public dashboard.
A UT spokesperson said the university does not share hospitalization information.
The Texas Longhorns will play their first at-home game this Saturday. Although the university has restricted the capacity of the 100,000-person Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, local health officials are concerned that the event could accelerate spread of the disease.
"Ultimately you're going to have 25,000 people in one spot and it's going to be difficult to prevent all of those interactions from happening," Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said during a media call on Wednesday.
Based on the current rate of transmission in Travis County, Escott estimates that up to 50 people could arrive at the stadium with COVID.
The university announced in early August that it aimed to test up to 5,000 asymptomatic members of its campus community each week. Since the all semester began, the university has tested fewer than 2,000 people each week, according to the dashboard.
In an Aug. 21 email sent to the campus community, UT Austin Interim President Jay Hartzell said the administration will consider a number of metrics in deciding whether to move more classes online or close buildings on campus due to the pandemic.
- University of Texas-Austin to test students for coronavirus - austonia ›
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Popular
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Show your love for Tito's and for the community this year with a wide selection of not that ugly, uglyish, ugly, uglier, and ugliest holiday sweaters.
There's lots choose from, and plenty of accessories like scarves and socks, plus gear for your dog, too.
All of the items can be purchased online or at the Love, Tito’s Retail Store in Austin, TX. 100% of all net proceeds from online or in-store purchases go to one of the nonprofits we’ve teamed up with.
Click here to see the entire collection in the Tito's store.
🗓 All weekend
Check out this highly anticipated art exhibition with illuminated art along Waller Creek. Tickets are free and the event includes food vendors, dazzling lights, live music, and hands-on activities
All weekend 6 p.m - 10 p.m | 📍Waterloo Park
This iconic holiday tradition lights up for the first time this holiday season starting this weekend! Reserve your spot for an enchanting light and sound performance, delicious hot cocoa, sweet treats, and some overall fun with your friends or family. The show runs till January 6th.
6 p.m and 9 p.m | 📍Mozart's Coffee Roasters - 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
🗓 Saturday
This fitness event is free and open to the public. Get your morning started right with a "Fitness in the park" class for kickboxing! The class will be led by certified instructors and is a great way to get a cardio workout in while also honing your self-defense skills.
10 a.m - 11 a.m | 📍 Metz Park
Support local LBGTQ+ and female artists at this outdoor market with over 150 vendors. Get your holiday shopping out of the way at this event, with vendors for food trucks, handmade goods, raffles, hands on workshops and activities, and more.
Did someone say cheese?! If you're like me and always willing to get your hands on a bowl of mac and cheese, then this event is for you. Check out the Mac and Cheese festival happening this weekend to decide which vendor has. the best mac and cheese for yourself, and enjoy the bar with creative cocktails while you're at it. Tickets start at $45.
11 a.m - 3 p.m | 📍Lantana Place - 7415 Southwest Parkway
