Jerry Quijano | KUT

Read this story in English.

La autoridad sanitaria provisional del Departamento de Salud de Austin (APH, en ingles) dice que hubiera preferido esperar unas semanas más antes de suavizar las restricciones de capacidad para las empresas de la zona.

Lee esta historia en español. 

Austin Public Health’s interim health authority says he would’ve rather waited a few more weeks before easing capacity restrictions for businesses in the area.

Read this story in English.

Los residentes del Condado de Austin-Travis están haciendo un "gran trabajo" previniendo la propagación del coronavirus en el área, dijo la autoridad médica interina de Salud Pública de Austin (APH, en inglés), durante una conferencia de prensa este miércoles. 

Lee esta historia en español. 

Austin and Travis County residents are doing a “great job” preventing the spread of the coronavirus in the area, Austin Public Health’s interim health authority said during a news conference Wednesday. 

Read this story in English.

Mientras los latinos de Austin siguen siendo afectados desproporcionadamente por el coronavirus, este mes recibieron otro golpe: la muerte de dos titanes de la comunidad.

Rosalio "Rabbit" Duran, 87, y San Juan "Johnny" Limón, 69, dejan un legado duradero de servicio, dedicación y amor que va más allá de sus raíces en East Austin.

A judge in Travis County has issued a temporary restraining order against a state ban on "smokable" hemp products while a lawsuit against the ban proceeds.

The top doctor at Austin Public Health says Austin and Travis County are doing a good job preventing the spread of coronavirus. But, Dr. Mark Escott says, residents will need to do a better job to lower the number of daily new cases to single digits. 

Read this story in English.

El principal médico de Salud Pública de Austin (APH, en inglés) dice que le preocupa que pueda haber un aumento en los casos de coronavirus y en las hospitalizaciones.

New rules prohibiting the retail sale and distribution of "smokable" hemp products are unconstitutional, companies argue in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Travis County.

New rules banning the manufacture of hemp products meant to be smoked or vaporized went into effect Sunday.

The rules are part of the Texas Department of State Health Services' Consumable Hemp Program, which was created after the state passed legislation legalizing the production, manufacture, distribution and sale of hemp. Hemp contains no more than 0.3% concentration of THC, the chemical compound in cannabis that can get people high.

Lee esta historia en español. 

The top doctor at Austin Public Health says he’s concerned there could be a rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

During a media briefing Wednesday, Dr. Mark Escott stressed the importance of wearing masks and social distancing in all situations, not just public outings. He and APH Director Stephanie Hayden said they’ve seen an increase in cases among gatherings of family and friends. 

Austin Public Health officials said Wednesday they believe the number of new coronavirus cases in the area is going down. This comes three weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order requiring people to wear face coverings in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Hospitalizations for the coronavirus in Austin-Travis County are plateauing, local public health officials said Wednesday.

At a news briefing, Dr. Jason Pickett, the city’s alternate health authority, described the leveling off as a “glimmer of hope,” but said it’s too early to tell if that trend will continue.

A record of 30 new COVID-19 hospital admissions was reported in the Austin area Sunday evening. The seven-day moving average of new admissions increased to 20.6. 

A record 29 people were admitted to the hospital in the Austin area for COVID-19 on Friday, bumping up the seven-day average for new hospital admissions to 17.

After three straight days of triple-digit spikes in the number of new coronavirus cases, officials in Austin say the growing number of hospitalizations is the more concerning upward trend.

The recent spike in new confirmed COVID-19 cases is not related to the string of protests against police brutality across the city in the last two weeks, Austin Public Health's top doctor said.

There have been 500 new cases of coronavirus in the Austin area in the past eight days, Austin Public Health officials said Wednesday.

Janet Pichette, APH chief epidemiologist, said the source of that spike can be attributed to businesses reopening and capacity expansions, coupled with recent holidays.

An agreement to buy the Block 21 development in downtown Austin – home to ACL Live at the Moody Theater and the W Hotel – is off due to the economic impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Nashville-based Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. made the deal in December to buy Block 21 from Stratus Properties Inc. for $275 million.

Click here to read this story in English.

La ciudad de Austin está proporcionando $1.2 millones en ayuda de emergencia por única vez para el alquiler de los residentes afectados por la pandemia del coronavirus.

The City of Austin is providing $1.2 million in one-time emergency rental assistance to residents affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants, or RENT, program will distribute the payments through a lottery system. Residents in need of assistance can apply on the Housing Authority of the City of Austin's website from May 4 at 9 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. May 6. 

More than 500 of the 1,800 people who’ve signed up for Austin Public Health’s testing enrollment form met the criteria needed to warrant a COVID-19 test.

The City of Austin and Travis County are partnering to form a task force focused on reopening the local economy. The Opening Central Texas for Business Task Force will be spearheaded by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. 

KUT Weekend brings you some of our favorite stories from the KUT newsroom. Updated Fridays.

• Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe via RSS
• Subscribe in Soundcloud
• Subscribe in Stitcher   

KUT Weekend brings you some of our favorite stories from the KUT newsroom. Updated Fridays.

• Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe via RSS
• Subscribe in Soundcloud
• Subscribe in Stitcher