APH to Update Key Indicators Dashboard to Highlight Community Level Metrics

 

As part of the continuation to align with CDC, dashboard will now show trends of metrics used to determine Community Levels

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Public Health (APH) will update its Key Indicators Dashboard on Friday afternoon to better reflect the metrics determining Austin-Travis County’s Risk-Based Guidelines. The guidelines are determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Community Levels.  Community Levels look at the following metrics for each county:   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.   Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past seven days.  “We must always evolve and improve the ways to track the threat of COVID-19 in our community and hospital systems. It’s invaluable in our efforts to prevent a scarcity of ICU beds and ventilators that we’ve dealt with many times before during this pandemic,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “We must remain vigilant to prevent future surges, and this will help achieve that goal.”  APH has created guidance for all three of the Community Levels (Low, Medium and High) for those who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and those at risk. The risk level for Austin-Travis County is currently low. “We always look for opportunities to keep the public informed, and this update will do just that,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “We hope everyone will be able to use this tool to make the best health decisions for themselves and our community.”  Recommendations for people who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines:   Low: Masking optional when gathering, dining and shopping.   Medium: Masking optional when gathering, dining and shopping. Mask when social distancing is not possible.   High: Indoor masking regardless of vaccination/risk status when gathering, dining and shopping.   Recommendations for people who are at risk:    Low: Masking optional when gathering, dining and shopping.   Medium: Indoor masking when gathering, dining and shopping.   High: Indoor masking regardless of vaccination/risk status when gathering, dining and shopping.   At all levels wearing a well-fitting mask, and practicing social distancing are supported by APH as additional layers of protection to prevent the spread of COVID-19.   Even at low levels, people can wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by their personal level of risk. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.  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.