Health officials are testing “one or more” individuals for COVID-19 in the Austin-Travis County area, Austin Public Health’s interim health director said.
This is a recent development, Mark Escott told Travis County Commissioners at a meeting Tuesday. But given how the disease caused by the new coronavirus has overlapping symptoms with other illnesses, officials are testing out of caution.
“We are currently in Phase 2,” he said. “We’ve had persons under investigation across [Travis County] over the period of the past six weeks. … None of those individuals have tested positive.”
Because of privacy concerns, he could not provide any more details about these cases.
“We have no evidence of community spread,” he said, adding the risk of contracting COVID-19 is “low.”
Austin Public Health says, because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently expanded its requirements for COVID-19 testing, it’s likely there could be more cases under investigation going forward.
Despite that, concern about the new coronavirus has caused a number of companies to cancel plans to attend South by Southwest this year. Intel and Mashable joined Twitter and Facebook in saying they will be staying away.
Earlier Tuesday, Mayor Steve Adler said any decision to cancel the event will be driven by concern over the public health and safety of the community.
“I recognize that South by Southwest is a big activity, but that can’t be the basis for the decision that we make,” he said. “And my understanding is that South by Southwest will follow whatever direction comes from the public health officers.”
Public health officials in Austin have formed an advisory panel made up of people from major hospital groups and leading physicians. Adler said city officials are in regular contact to discuss reports and review information.
“I think for the community we need to know that it’s been looked at every day,” he said. “The number one priority is to make sure we keep the community safe and the people that travel here safe.”
Other events, including the Texas Relays and Rodeo Austin, will draw crowds of people this month. Adler said Austin has plans in place to address the potential spread of viruses.
The mayor and county judge have the authority to declare an emergency if the situation warrants. Public health officials ultimately would make the final call to cancel any events.
The city is urging people to wash their hands, use hand sanitizer and bump elbows instead of shaking hands – all things normally recommended during flu season.
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