April 6: 8 coronavirus stories Austin-area readers need to know

Catch up on some of the latest coronavirus updates for the Austin metro below.

DATA: See how coronavirus has spread across the state and a breakdown of how the pandemic has hit Central Texas

Explore data on coronavirus cases in Texas since it first appeared in the state March 4.

Hays County cases stand at 54, with 20 in Kyle, 18 in San Marcos

Read a breakdown on the case numbers as of April 5 for Hays County, where 404 tests have been administered so far.

Thousands of construction workers this week returned to work in Austin. What are developers doing to ensure safe work sites?

Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order April 2 classifying residential construction work as essential, overturning Austin’s order from a week prior that required most sites to close. Contractors across the city are returning to work while following additional safety mandates.

‘We’ve got this’: Central Texas librarians step up to help their communities amid coronavirus pandemic

Despite local libraries being closed to comply with shelter-in-place orders, librarians across Central Texas are still hard at work maintaining their collections and connecting the community to resources.

Capital Metro employee who tested positive for coronavirus dies

A Capital Metro bus mechanic who was diagnosed with the coronavirus last week has died, the transit agency announced April 5. The employee did not interact with the public as part of their job duties.

Georgetown High School student mural put on hold due to coronavirus pandemic

A public art project slated to be painted by 120 Georgetown ISD art students on a building in the Georgetown Square has been suspended after the district shut down until at least May 1.

VIRTUAL TO-DO LIST: 9 Round Rock, Pflugerville-area activities to stream from home April 6-12

Keep you and your family engaged this week with these online activities.

Leanderthal Distilling donates hand sanitizer to first responders, purifies water for medical devices

Leanderthal Distilling in Leander is one of the many breweries and distilleries across the county that are shifting operations to producing hand sanitizer as traditional retailers struggle to keep disinfecting products stocked. The business is also offering distilled water to the public for those who need it for medical reasons.

Iain Oldman, Joe Warner, Brian Rash, Jack Flagler, Ali Linan, Taylor Jackson Buchanan and Taylor Girtman contributed to this report.