On Friday morning, local leaders and health officials announced the first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Austin-area. By Friday afternoon, the number had climbed to three. And now, as of Monday morning, the number is at six confirmed cases, according to Austin Public Health.
All six are believed to have travel-related transmissions and not spread locally.
Not much is known about the infected patients, although officials have said one of them is a man in his 60s who is currently hospitalized.
The uptick in cases comes as the City of Austin moves to prevent local spread. A new limit of 250 people has been imposed for large gatherings. Immediately following the cancellation of South by Southwest, a ban was imposed on gatherings of 2500 or more, but as the situation has evolved, officials have been forced to take new measures.
Speaking with CBS Austin, Mayor Steve Adler says the people of Austin need to be prepared for more changes as the situation continues to unfold in Central Texas.
“A week ago, I was telling people, go on out to the clubs and party, and I’m not doing that right now,” said Adler told the TV station. “My suggestion is if you’re gonna go out, go out with a small group, generally speaking, try not to be within six feet of another group.”
The new ban took effect at 2:00 a.m. Monday, March 16 and will remain in effect until at least Friday, May 1.
