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AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Public Health (APH) has updated its Risk-Based Guidelines to align with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) metrics. The CDC introduced Community Levels to track the spread of COVID-19 at the county level in February. APH is incorporating that new model into our local guidance. “We continue to adapt our response as we enter a new phase of this pandemic.” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “While we enjoy the progress we’ve made, we should remember that this isn’t over yet; the potential for new variants still poses a threat.” There are three Community Levels (Low, Medium and High) with corresponding guidance for those who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, and for those who are at risk. These levels replace the stages that guided our response for much of the pandemic. The risk level for Austin-Travis County is currently low. “We’re excited to roll out an updated tool offering our community the guidance necessary to stay safe and healthy moving forward,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “We thank everyone for stepping up and taking precautions when it was asked of them. We’re optimistic about this new phase and feel confident our community is better equipped to respond if—and when—the need arises.” Recommendations for people who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines:
Recommendations for people who are at risk:
Precautions include wearing a well-fitting mask, washing hands and practicing social distancing.
Community Levels are determined by a combination of indicators including new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past seven days.
These changes will be reflected on APH’s Key Indicators dashboard which will populate with CDC data weekly. The dashboard will be updated this afternoon. The CDC shifted to Community Levels as much of the country achieved high levels of vaccination and immunity. The Community Levels model aims to protect those at the highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and reduce strain on healthcare systems. The City of Austin and Travis County lifted all COVID-19 orders last week, which included mask requirements at most City and County facilities. APH testing and vaccination information People can find vaccine providers using Vaccines.gov (Vacunas.gov in Spanish) or by texting their zip code to 438829 (822862 in Spanish) to find a nearby clinic. APH clinics offer COVID-19 testing and vaccinations without an appointment, although creating an account online in advance saves time. COVID-19 vaccinations are free and require neither identification nor insurance. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 or visit www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19. The APH Mobile Vaccination Program brings vaccine clinics to businesses, churches and more. Organizations can fill out an online form to request a pop-up clinic at their location. About Austin Public Health Austin Public Health is the health department for the City of Austin and Travis County. Austin Public Health works to prevent disease, promote health and protect the well-being of all by monitoring and preventing infectious diseases and environmental threats and educating about the benefits of preventative behaviors to avoid chronic diseases and improve health outcomes. |
