Austin Public Health reports 572 confirmed new coronavirus cases in Travis County on July 15 along with 78 new coronavirus-related hospital admissions in the Austin area. July 15's daily number of hospital admissions has bumped up the seven-day moving average to 71.1, bringing the local area back into the range that could trigger Stage 5 risk. However, APH is still classifying Travis County's risk as Stage 4.

APH's daily report follows a statement from Dr. Jason Pickett, the Austin-Travis County alternate health authority, saying that hospital capacity is being stretched despite a welcome plateau in case numbers. In order to free up capacity in intensive care units, Pickett said APH and city staff are working to set up the Austin Convention Center as a field hospital for "lower-acuity" patients.

Currently, 145 of the area's 452 hospitalized COVID-19 patients are in ICUs, and 90 are on ventilators. Since yesterday, Travis County has seen four added coronavirus deaths.