Additionally, APH cited eight new coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total deaths for Travis County up to 159. This increase marks the third straight day with seven or more additional COVID-19 deaths for the county.
The Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area did see a slight dip in new hospitalizations, with 67 new hospital admissions in the past day, down from 73. That statistic is significant for determining the area's stage of risk. Stage 5 risk can be triggered when APH measures an average of 70 or more daily COVID-19 hospital admissions across a single week. Currently, the Austin MSA has a seven-day moving average of 75.1 daily hospital admissions.
Local officials have not yet announced a shift into Stage 5 risk, but at a press conference earlier July 8, Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County interim health authority, confirmed that such a step could happen in the next day.
Overall, Travis County has had 13,161 confirmed coronavirus cases and 9,837 estimated recoveries.
