GOVERNMENT
At an April 8 press conference, Dr. Mark Escott, the Austin Public Health interim health authority, said emergency backup medical facilities will open soon in case local hospitals are not able to provide enough space for coronavirus patients. (Courtesy ATXN)
Austin, Travis County officials planning for up to 1.7 million coronavirus cases, 9,000 deaths in metro
Nearly half of Central Texas residents have completed the 2020 census as of April 6, U.S. Census Bureau data shows. (Graphic by Community Impact staff)
Nearly half of Central Texas residents have completed the census so far
Austin's and Travis County's orders went into place March 25 and require residents to stay home for everything but essential travel. (Christopher Neely/Community Impact Newspaper)
Austin looks to lease 3 hotels in $3.6 million coronavirus shelter plan
Projections from University of Texas researchers say continued social distancing is working. (Screenshot courtesy University of Texas at Austin)
UPDATED: UT projections say continued social distancing is working
VIDEO: Texas Tribune interview with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar about the coronavirus's effects on the state economy
Austin and Travis County adopted new guidelines, recommending local residents wear face masks or fabric covering when out in public. (Christopher Neely/Community impact Newspaper)
Coronavirus update: 106 local patients have recovered from coronavirus since the outbreak started in Travis County
The city of Austin issued a stay-at-home order March 24. (Christopher Neely/Community Impact Newspaper)
Coronavirus update: Austin and Travis County advise residents to start using face masks, coverings when in public
Economic relief options for small business owners include the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan. (Community Impact Newspaper Staff)
Has your Austin-area small business been affected by the coronavirus? Here are resources you can access.
A recent string of incidents where Zoom meetings have been “hacked” has put the future viability of teleconferencing security in doubt. (Courtesy Pixabay)
String of racist attacks via videoconferencing software leads to heightened security concerns
Power lines
DATA: Austin’s residential electricity usage up more than 30% since beginning of March
A photo of a census mailer laid out on the American flag
Travis County encourages community response on census day as outreach efforts go virtual
Texas Health and Human Services announced in a press release March 31 the statewide COVID-19 support line will be available seven days a week and toll free at 833-986-1919. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
‘It is important to recognize how our mental health can be affected by the pandemic': Statewide mental health support line established in light of COVID-19
Gov. Greg Abbott updated Texans and issued an executive order regarding the state's response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis during a March 31 afternoon press conference. (Screenshot via livestream)
'Now is the time to redouble our efforts': Abbott issues executive order for state on COVID-19 extending school closures, clarifying essential services
The Crowne Plaza Hotel is located at 6121 N. I-35 in North Central Austin. (Courtesy Google Maps)
Austin secures 292-room hotel lease as coronavirus quarantine resource
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt formally announced that Travis County will issue a shelter-in-place order March 24. (Community Impact Newspaper staff)
Update March 23-29: There are now 200 confirmed cases in the city of Austin, Travis County