Austin eases coronavirus threat level to Stage 4 after steady decline in cases, health officials say

Austin Public Health established five stages of risk with recommendations on how to stay safe during the pandemic. Here’s what each stage means. Austin American-Statesman

Austin Public Health on Tuesday received its much anticipated shipment of second doses of coronavirus vaccines while also celebrating an easing of the virus threat level as the number of hospitalizations decline. 

Dr. Mark Escott, interim Austin-Travis County health authority, and Austin Public Health Director Stephanie Hayden-Howard announced a loosening in coronavirus restrictions to Stage 4 as they updated Travis County commissioners at their Tuesday meeting. 

Health officials, hoping to curb a holiday surge in coronavirus cases, had recommended Dec. 23 that the community adopt Austin Public Health’s guidelines for the highest threat level: Stage 5 coronavirus restrictions, which asked businesses to only offer contactless delivery or, at most, operate at 25% capacity.

Austin Public Health’s guidelines try to protect those at the highest risk of suffering the most severe symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, such as older adults or those with respiratory problems or other chronic illnesses. The guidelines are not legal requirements, but can be enforced as part of the county’s health codes.

Under Stage 4, Austin Public Health says that businesses can expand from contactless-only service to allowing customer capacity of 25% to 50%.

Under Stage 5, Austin Public Health had asked those at high risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms to avoid all gatherings with anyone outside their immediate household. But under Stage 4 guidelines, they can now gather with up to two people, while those at lower risk can gather with no more than 10 people. 

Escott and Hayden-Howard said decreasing restrictions in Austin and Travis County does not mean residents should stop social distancing or wearing masks. 

If residents continue practicing good hygiene, the Austin and Travis County area should see the weekly average of hospital admissions per day drop to 30 by March 7, Escott said. 

As far as total hospitalizations, Escott said they could drop to fewer than 300 coronavirus patients being treated by health care workers at one time by March 1. Even sooner, intensive care units could see fewer than 100 patients by Feb. 22. 

“Again, we have the potential for a much better outlook going into the spring break time period if we continue those protections that have gotten us this far,” Escott said. 

Dr. Mark Escott

 (Photo: ANA RAMIREZ/AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

If all factors continue in a positive direction, Austin and Travis County could be in Stage 3 by early March, allowing for businesses to operate at 50% to 75% capacity and social gatherings of no more than 10 people even for high-risk residents. 

Austin Public Health on Tuesday released more good news after a shipment of about 12,000 second doses of the coronavirus vaccine arrived in the Austin area. 

“APH has received the second dose shipment for people who got their first dose through APH for the week of Jan. 11,” a statement from Austin Public Health said. “APH will be contacting those individuals by email or phone with information for scheduling appointments for later this week and next week.”

Austin-area residents cannot show up to receive a second dose without an appointment, health officials said.

Many Travis County residents earlier this week were concerned about how and when they would be contacted for their second dose through Austin Public Health. However, Austin Public Health officials said they hadn’t sent out vaccination appointments because second doses were delayed by the state. 

Austin Public Health did receive 12,000 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine Monday, but the Texas Department of State Health Services said those doses could not be used for those needing their second shot.

Escott on Tuesday said he wanted to clear up some confusion about second doses. 

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently changed its guidelines on how soon second doses need to be administered to patients, according to Escott. As a result, Escott said there is now a 42-day window before residents need to get a second vaccine. 

“One of the other things that is important to understand is there is a misperception that the 50.8% efficacy is where the efficacy of a single dose ends,” Escott said. “That’s not the case based on the evidence submitted by Moderna to the FDA.”

Escott said first doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines actually have an efficacy rate of up to 92.1%. 

“Again, there is some limitations to this data, which is why there is still debate about if we transition to one shot or maintain it at two,” he continued. 

Austin Public Health officials said they are excited for the emergency approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which would only need one dose. That approval could come as early as the end of this month. 

At the start of the workweek, Travis County health officials reported 448 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases in the Austin area is 4,077 — more than 2,000 fewer active cases than a month ago.

A total of 446 patients were in the hospital with COVID-19 Monday night, and 39 were being treated at the alternative care site. Of those hospitalized, 133 were in intensive care, and 96 were on ventilators.

Austin Public Health’s risk-based guidelines.

 (Photo: Austin Public Health)

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