BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Diving in deeper
What's next
Lab-reported cases of COVID-19 in Austin in 2023 *
All three viral illnesses can be mitigated with vaccinations, Walkes said. In addition to vaccinations, per the CDC, other basic preventive measures include hand-washing, wearing a mask to reduce the amount of germs breathed in, improving air quality through air filters and keeping a distance from those who are sick.
Walkes said the COVID-19 variant circulating the state is of XBB lineage, one of the newer reported strains. Laboratory-reported cases of COVID-19 are down significantly in Austin since 2022, according to data from the Austin Public Health COVID-19 dashboard. In 2022, there were nearly 150,000 lab cases reported. So far, there are just over 21,000 reported this year. Results from these tests do not include at-home tests, however, meaning numbers could be higher. Health care providers will begin collecting flu data at the beginning of October for the 2023-24 flu season, Walkes said. APH will post its first flu report—which collects data weekly through the end of flu season in May— at the end of October. Testing is required to know if an illness is COVID-19 or the flu, as many symptoms are shared, according to the CDC.
21,076 cases
33 median age diagnosed
71 deaths
71 median age of fatalities
2022-23 flu season data * 12 adult flu-associated deaths
“Each of these respiratory viruses can be treated, but it is important to know what is making you sick.” DR. DESMAR WALKES, MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY
14 flu-associated outbreaks in schools
3,000 positive flu tests during week of Oct. 31, 2022, the peak of the season
SOURCE: AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT *DATA AS OF SEPT. 25, 2023.
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