AUSTIN, Texas — Austin-Travis County re-enters Stage 4 COVID guidelines as the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the county continues to increase. The 7-day moving average of new hospital admissions has crossed the threshold of over 30 admissions a day. The number of unvaccinated individuals being hospitalized in the last two weeks has also significantly risen.

This rise in hospitalizations will take a toll on healthcare staff, while local hospitals are also trying to balance the increase of other patients for non-COVID diseases.

“Each of us has a personal choice to make — will we do our part to stop disease transmission by getting vaccinated and taking the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and others, or will we be part of its continued spread?” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “COVID-19 is still present and continues to burden our health care community and we need to end the cycle of transmission.”  

In making this decision, Austin Public Health along with Travis County and local hospitals look at several key indicators, including positivity rate, doubling time of new cases and current ICU and ventilator patients. The 7-day moving average of hospitalizations has increased over 203% since July 4, from 63 to 202 hospitalizations by July 22.

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Stage 4 recommendations include fully vaccinated individuals wearing masks while at indoor and outdoor gatherings, traveling and shopping or dining, if unable to socially distance. Partially or unvaccinated individuals should avoid gatherings and such activities unless essential.

“We ask people to be aware of their surroundings and potential risks when determining the best course of action to keep themselves and others safe,” Interim APH Director Adrienne Sturrup said. “Vaccinations are the best tool we have in fighting COVID-19, but in public, we don’t know who is vaccinated and who is not, so it is best to mask and, when possible, maintain social distance.” 

Only 62.41% of residents in the county are fully vaccinated, making the community vulnerable to new variants, including the highly transmissible Delta variant.

“I know this transition back to Stage 4 may be difficult, but we must follow our local health authority’s recommendations to once again flatten the curve and to ensure we continue to protect ourselves and our most vulnerable,” Travis County Judge Andy Brown said. “Getting vaccinated is by far the most effective way to prevent severe disease and death after exposure to the virus, and wearing a mask helps reduce spread of the disease to those who are not able, or not yet eligible, to receive the vaccine.”

Austin Public Health urges you to get vaccinated for those who have not done so. Vaccinations are free and don’t require identification or insurance. To find a local provider, visit here.