Per Governor Abbott's Order last week, all businesses were able to expand to a 75% operating capacity this past Wednesday. Additionally, the Governor gave counties the authority to open bars to a 50% capacity for those with low COVID-19 hospitalizations starting Wednesday. However, Travis County has opted not to re-open bars at this time due to a recent increase in hospitalizations. Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe released the following statement on Wednesday:

“As we move forward, I will continue to work with Dr. Escott to reevaluate data collected and in fourteen days will determine if Travis County is in a position to safely reopen bars. Until then, I encourage everyone to continue practicing safety measures that will help us reduce the transmission of COVID-19.” Click here to read the memo from Dr. Escott.

As indicated by Judge Biscoe, the number of hospitalizations rose this past week, along with the number of cases in Travis County. There are 89 individuals hospitalized in our region with COVID-19, up from 80 reported last week. The number of daily hospitalizations on a seven-day average in our five-county area is sitting at about 16, up from close to 13 last week. Click here for more details on hospitalizations.

There have now been a total of 30,688 cumulative COVID-19 cases reported in Travis County. That number is up by 613 compared to this same time last week, 499 the week before that, and 672 the week before that one. It's estimated there are 781 active COVID-19 positive cases in the county, which is up from 690 reported last week. For the three zip codes associated with Lakeway (78734, 78738, 78669), there have been 656 cases identified to date, which is up by 14 compared to the same time last week, and up by 21 comparing with the week before that. Click here for more details and to view the tracking tool, which includes an interactive map to see cases by your zip code.

Travis County continues with Stage 3 guidelines, including keeping gatherings to no more than 10 individuals and wearing a face covering in public. Also, please continue to social/physical distance between individuals not in your household, and wash your hand regularly. Thank you for continuing to follow these guidelines during this difficult and unusual time.

The window to take the 2020 Census closed yesterday (October 15), but there is still an opportunity to receive updates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The data collected from the 2020 Census helps determine the allocation of federal dollars that help supply quality healthcare for families, safe roads for vehicles to travel on, and good schools for neighborhood children to attend. It's indicated that 99.9% of individuals have been counted in Texas from the combined self-response questionnaires and those enumerated in nonresponse follow-ups by canvassers. When breaking down just the self-response portion, the self-response rate in Lakeway is 75.3%, which is above the Travis County self-response rate of 67.1% and the Texas self-response rate of 62.6%. Click here for more details, including a link to sign up for updates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Last week we told you about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Residents are encouraged to use purple lights to help raise awareness and continue important conversations on how to end domestic violence. Travis County is hosting several virtual events the remainder of the month to help stop domestic violence, including a stand up paddle parade, video contest and a virtual documentary screening of "What Doesn't Kill Me." Click here for all of the details. Additionally, if you have questions or need assistance related to domestic violence, please reach out to our police department at (512) 261-2800 and we'll put you in touch with Kara McLeod, the city's Victim Assistant Coordinator. For emergencies, it's important to still call 9-1-1.