Austin Public Health announces changes to COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard

Dashboard will now include laboratory-reported antigen cases and deaths 

Austin Public Health (APH) is making changes to its COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard to align with the state’s methodology of data collection. 

The changes include the cumulative number of laboratory-reported PCR positive and laboratory-reported antigen cases and deaths in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services’ case definition. 

"This comes as part of our continued effort to get a more complete picture of COVID-19 and its effects on our community,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “Our residents will be able to look to the dashboard and understand the current threat being posed by the virus.” 

With the inclusion of antigen positive cases the total case count increased by 23,221 to a total of 223,897. The total number of deaths increased by 78 to a total of 1,432. Previously, only PCR positive cases and deaths had been included in the dashboard. 

“Our staff continues to work hard to keep track of COVID-19 metrics in Austin-Travis County,” said Janet Pichette, Chief Epidemiologist for Austin Public Health. “These updates will give everyone an improved understanding of this virus and its burden on our community.”  

Another change coming to the dashboard involves the COVID-19 case map. The map will now display cases reported within the last week as opposed to the cumulative total. This change will offer a current view of cases as they are reported across Austin-Travis County. 

The COVID-19 Surveillance and Key Indicators for Staging dashboards are down for maintenance. Updates will go live on Thursday afternoon. 

APH vaccine and testing 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 vaccinations and testing without 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.      

To help reserve our emergency rooms for medical emergencies, people who are asymptomatic or experiencing minor symptoms may inquire about testing options by calling 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905, or by visiting 211texas.org. Please don’t call 9-1-1 for testing information.

Survey: Community members invited to give feedback on APD body and dashboard cameras

Austin's City Council and City Manager request the public's opinion on the Austin Police Department's rules related to how and when officers use their camera equipment. The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is organizing events and a survey to collect feedback from community members. The survey will be open for all until April 1, 2022. The virtual community meetings are taking place in February and March and will include an educational presentation on current APD body-worn camera and dashboard policies and provide a space for community members to offer feedback in real-time.   In January 2022, the Office of Police Oversight released their report "Body Worn Camera and Digital Mobile Audio Video: Policy Review and Recommendations," which examined how APD's current body-worn and in-car camera policies compare to national best practices of policing. OPO is now requesting community input on the proposed recommendations to improve those areas.   The survey is available on the City's SpeakUp Austin feedback portal in English and Spanish until April 1, 2022.     The meetings will begin at 6 p.m. on March 9, and March 16. To participate, community members can RSVP here.     Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation services will be available at the events. Additional interpretation services and accommodations may be available upon request. To request these services, please email opo.outreach@austintexas.gov.     In response to the Austin City Council resolutions passed in June 2020, the City Manager directed the Office of Police Oversight to provide recommendations on Austin Police Department's General Orders. This report responds to that directive. OPO utilizes a three-phase approach to facilitate the rewrite of APD's General Orders. This approach includes a preliminary analysis of APD's current policies, a community engagement campaign to seek public input about these policies and OPO's recommendations, and a final analysis discussing the input received and sharing the findings with the City Manager and APD.

About the Office of Police Oversight   The mission of the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is to provide impartial oversight of the Austin Police Department's conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, inform the public to increase transparency, and create sustainable partnerships throughout the community.

Austin Animal Center, Councilmember Renteria to host free pet microchip clinic

Austin Animal Center (AAC), in partnership with Councilmember Pio Renteria, is hosting a free drive-thru microchip and rabies vaccination clinic this Saturday for all City of Austin and Travis County residents.

 
“Microchips are essential to getting pets reunited with their families,” says Mark Sloat, Field Services Manager for AAC. “We have thousands of dogs getting picked up and brought to the shelter by community members, and the majority aren’t finding their way back home. We know from our Animal Protection Officers’ work that most pets are picked up really close to home, so in addition to educating the community we’re really pushing microchipping.”
 
Microchips are small electronic chips about the size of a grain of rice that are inserted under the skin on dogs and cats. They serve as a permanent form of identification and places like animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and pet stores have scanners that read the unique number which can then be used to search microchip registries for owner information.
 
AAC outreach staff are working with members of City Council to host microchip clinics in each of their districts to increase reclaim rates. A representative from Councilmember Renteria’s office said, “Thanks to microchipping, District 3 has one of the highest lost pet return rates in the whole city. A big part of getting to that place was due to the efforts of the folks at the Austin Animal Center. By getting out in the community to educate folks, and especially through free microchipping clinics like the one this weekend, we were able to keep our pets safe and happy.”
 
The drive-thru event will be held at Austin Animal Center (7201 Levander Loop) from 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday, March 5. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers.

New Viewing Options for City TV Network ATXN

ATXN, the City of Austin’s government access channel, is now available on multiple streaming television apps including Roku, Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Fire.  
 
Residents can download the free ATXN apps on any of these platforms on their TVs or streaming devices to view City Council meetings, public meetings, news conferences, CityView news and educational programming about City departments and initiatives.

All apps include livestreams of ATXN1—the flagship ATXN TV channel, ATXN2—the web only channel covering meetings when more than one meeting is taking place at City Hall, as well as original programming, and ATXN3 for Spanish-language programming.   

“The goal of ATXN is to provide transparency to City of Austin activities by televising City Council and Boards and Commissions meetings, educational programming, and airing live news conferences,” said Keith Reeves, Interim Deputy Communications Director. “These new ways of watching ATXN provide a high quality, easily accessible way for Austinites to follow their local government.” 

ATXN, which televises over 500 meetings each year as well as producing and broadcasting hundreds of original videos, is also still accessible through the following cable providers: 

• Spectrum Cable – Channel 6 
• Grande Communications – Channel 6 

Residents without cable can watch ATXN’s 24 hour stream online at www.ATXN.TV or view videos on demand on its YouTube channel. Coverage of regularly scheduled Thursday City Council meetings also airs live on KAZI 88.7FM radio. 

ATXN, a division of the City’s Communications and Public Information Office, has won numerous statewide and national awards, including multiple Overall Excellence in Programming and 14 Lone Star EMMY awards.  

More about ATXN programming 

ATXN programming includes CityView, a weekly news update about City of Austin programs, initiatives, and activities. CityView at Home, added in April 2020 due to the pandemic, is a weekly video series covering local news, music, people and places. 

All ATXN coverage is archived and accessible through the ATXN Video Archive. 

ATXN’s viewing schedule is available online through the department’s homepage at www.austintexas.gov/atxn.

Austin-Travis County host inaugural celebration recognizing joint effort of the 2020 Census

Austin-Travis County today announced Together, We Count Census Recognition Event to be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. This inaugural celebration recognizes the joint effort by the city, county, and community as part of the 2020 Census Complete Count.

Together, We Count focuses on honoring the incredible dedication and hard work of groups involved in the Central Texas Census count. The event will feature opening remarks from City of Austin Housing and Planning Department leadership, a presentation of Census findings from City of Austin Demographer, Dr. Lila Valencia, and culminate in a recognition of the efforts by way of a City of Austin proclamation to be issued the following day. 
 
Additionally, the event will include a panel discussion with community leaders to spotlight the importance of the Census 2020 findings and how Austin’s diverse communities might leverage these data. A Q&A with panelists, followed by closing remarks, will cap off the event. 
 
An accurate Census count is vital to representation at all levels of government and fair funding of over $1.5 federal dollars allocated to critical programs and services, and the City of Austin played a significant role in that effort.
 
Media are invited to join this event on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.

 

What: Together, We Count Census Recognition Event

When: Weds. Mar. 2, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Where: City Hall Council Chambers

 

About Housing and Planning Department 

The Housing and Planning Department provides resources related to planning, zoning, housing, and community development to enhance the quality of life of all Austinites. Equitable, efficient, and comprehensive planning with displacement prevention as a prioritized focus is the Department’s core charge in delivering housing services to the community.

Austin-Travis County returns to Stage 3 of Risk-Based Guidelines

Local health officials ask to stay the course with current guidelines through spring break and Spring Festival Season

During today’s Austin City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court joint session, Austin Public Health (APH) leadership announced a return to Stage 3 of the area’s COVID-19 Risk-Based Guidelines. 

This move comes as APH works to align its guidance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC announced updates Friday, Feb. 25, with a caveat for communities dealing with unique circumstances. Thousands of people will travel to and through Austin-Travis County in the coming weeks for the Spring Festival Season and spring break. With these unique circumstances in mind, APH recommends that our communities wear masks indoors, especially when social distancing is not possible, until March 20, 2022. 

"We're returning to Stage 3, and if trends hold steady, Stage 2 is just around the corner. This is possible thanks to our community getting vaccinated and wearing masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “Let’s continue to make Austin as safe as possible with all the visitors anticipated in the next few weeks.” 

The hospitality industry, which plays an important role in our community, has been hit hard by the pandemic. Many employees in the industry work to provide for multigenerational households which may include people who have an increased risk of experiencing severe symptoms from COVID-19. 

“We must continue to consider those who are at-risk, including anyone with chronic conditions and children who are too young to get vaccinated,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “Please consider our neighbors, church members, waitstaff, teachers and loved ones.”  

APH continues to track key indicators and monitor infections in schools and areas with lower vaccination rates while considering next steps. Leadership is also working to ensure the updated guidelines match existing policy.  

Stage 3 Guidance 

• Individuals who are up to date (fully vaccinated with a booster): Masks are recommended for everyone during indoor gatherings and travel. Those who are at high-risk are recommended to wear masks while dining and shopping. 

• Partially or unvaccinated individuals and those who need a booster dose: Take precautions and wear masks for all activities in Stages 1 through 5. 

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.

$14.4 Million Awarded in Local Economic Recovery Funding & Programming from City of Austin

AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin Economic Development Department announces the awards of more than $14.4 million in relief grants and services to individuals and small businesses impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. These Federal American Rescue Plan Act allocations were dispersed through five programs locally specifically supporting arts and music creative industries plus workforce development.
 
“These funds from the American Rescue Plan Act help to propel Austin further on the path to full economic recovery,” explains Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director for the Economic Development Department. “The grants amplify benefits throughout our community to cover basic needs, support workforce availability, and provide valuable services to Austinites.”
 
The Economic Development Department continues to maintain and publish interactive dashboards for each grant viewable online at www.ATXrecovers.com for greater transparency of the distribution of funds. Each dashboard displays information such as the number of applications received for each program, profiles of applicants (minus personal identifying information), and approval and denial rates.
 
Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant
The Austin Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant provided one-time, unrestricted $20,000 grants to local arts and culture non-profit organizations and supported 196 providers including art museums, historical societies, theaters, local-access radio and television, and festivals. Between August and December 2021, $3,920,000 in grants were awarded to local creative industry non-profit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  These grants were funded from a combination of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds - $2 million from Austin City Council’s Resolution 20210610-092 and $420,000 from Arts Commission Recommendation 20210816.5.b.i-ii; $1 million in additional tax revenue, and $500,000 of budget stabilization reserves from the Cultural Arts Fund.
 
Arts Community Relief
The Arts Community Relief funding awarded $5,290,848.55 in grants to 379 existing cultural contractors. These funds came from a portion of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act dedicated to arts. The Emergency Funding and Proactive Strategies for Future Funding Working Group of the Austin Arts Commission met three times in September and made a recommendation for funding allocations to Austin City Council. The Austin Arts Commission Recommendation 20210920-4.1.i decided to fund FY21 cultural contractors in Core and Cultural Heritage Festivals as follows: those who received less than $10,000 in previous relief funding (through Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, ARPA-funded Arts and Culture Nonprofit Relief, Creative Space Assistance, and CARES Act-funded Nonprofit Relief for arts organizations) would receive 100% of their FY21 contract amount; those who received less than $1,000,000 but more than $10,000 in relief funding (through the same sources) would receive 85% of their FY21 contract amount; and contractors who received more than $1,000,000 would not receive any funding. This recommendation was unanimously approved by Austin City Council through Resolution 20211118-009 on November 18, 2021.
 
Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund
An additional $1,394,700 million in grants were awarded to local live music venues as part of the Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund, a program of the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund. This additional funding was allocated by Austin City Council through Resolution No. 20210610-077 on June 10, 2021 to dedicate portions of the federal American Rescue Plan Act to support the music industry. This brings the grand total distributed dollars to local live music venues through this program to nearly $6.4 million since December 2020. As part of a partnership with the City of Austin, The Long Center began distributing monthly grants in January 2022 to the remaining 13 venues that were eligible and scored in 2021 for Phase 2 funding of the program, but not fully awarded due to lack of funds.
 
Austin Music Disaster Relief Grant
An additional $2.3 million in grants will be awarded to 1,150 local professional musicians, independent promoters, and music industry workers through the Austin Music Disaster Relief Grant. These one-time, unrestricted $2,000 grants are provided to music industry workers facing hardships due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This additional funding was allocated by Austin City Council through Resolution No. 20210610-077 on June 10, 2021 to dedicate portions of the federal American Rescue Plan Act to support the music industry. Applications closed on January 28, and the City partnered with The Long Center to process applications in February and distribute grants in March 2022. This brings the grand total distributed dollars through the Austin Music Disaster Relief Grant to $3.8 million in support since 2020.
 
Capital IDEA Workforce Development
The Capital IDEA Workforce Development partnership will provide $1.5 million in services and support for 30 low-income, nontraditional students pursuing a career in the high demand field of healthcare. The partnership will help students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through Concordia University. Students participating in the program will receive wraparound services as they work towards their BSN, including tuition, case management, and assistance with childcare and transportation. Capital IDEA nursing students will complete program prerequisites at Austin Community College before transferring to Concordia to finish their degree by Spring 2025.  
 
“Our work continues into 2022 as we follow Austin City Council direction to ensure that all industries critical to Austin’s economy are supported” explains Susana Carbajal, Acting Deputy Director for the Economic Development Department. “The extension of recovery funds and development of new programs further supports the City’s equity goals by reaching individuals and businesses who have been disproportionately impacted throughout the pandemic.”
 
Equity strategies used by the Economic Development Department included circulating press releases and promotional materials in English and Spanish; allowing applicants to complete grant applications in Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese; and contracting with local community organizations to provide one-on-one application assistance to anyone who needed support.
 
The City of Austin will also support the launch of several new grants later this year, including programs to support applicants through recovery process, childcare centers and programming, and job creation across multiple industries. All eligibility and details for recovery programs will be available on www.ATXrecovers.com. This website is intended to be a helpful resource in accessing services to recover from the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It features up-to-date opportunities for businesses, individuals, and non-profits; updates on local, state, and federal recovery policies; and economic indicators for the local economy.

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About the City of Austin Economic Development Department 
The City of Austin Economic Development Department supports business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable, sustainable economy to improve the lives of all Austin residents. To learn more about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd or follow us @AustinEconDev on Facebook and @AustinEconDev on Twitter.