Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said she anticipated meeting with Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown within the next 24-48 hours to discuss how large events could impact infections and steps needed to prevent potential spread resulting from the gatherings.
"I think that the opening schools is going to have a large impact on our community with regards to the numbers of cases that develop," Walkes said at a joint session of Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court, in response to a question about ACL and other events held on public land. "As that unfolds, we're going to see that we're going to have to revisit our expectations of what we can do in our city. The way that this virus spreads is through social interaction that's unprotected by masking and vaccinations, and so at this point, we are looking at advising policymakers and making recommendations that are going to put in place—guidance that's based upon the fact that our situation is changing in the wrong direction."
Currently, Austin-area hospitals are averaging 78 new coronavirus-related hospital admissions per day as the delta variant drives up cases. As of Aug. 22, 237 area intensive care unit beds were filled by COVID-19 patients, the most at any time during the pandemic. Travis County staff said Aug. 24 they are making space at the Travis County Expo Center for an alternate care site for coronavirus patients, but Walkes said hospital staffing is currently too limited to support opening an alternate care site. That lack of flex space will be a factor when considering how to handle large events, she said.
"We have to take a serious look at those situations that are going to put more strain on what we're currently experiencing," Walkes said.
ACL announced Aug. 19 that it would require festivalgoers to present either proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test result before entering Zilker Park. A decision about whether masking will be required has not yet been announced.
