Austin, Texas – Austin Public Health has adjusted its risk-based guideline chart to accommodate current information on hospital capacity and current data.
The changes were made in the “Recommended Threshold: 7-Day Moving Average of New Hospital Admissions” part of the chart, since according to hospital systems, the five-county Austin MSA has approximately 1,500 beds available to treat patients with COVID-19 .
Reviews also represent the average length of hospital stay, which APH fluctuates daily. Currently, most patients hospitalized with COVID-19 remain in the hospital for nine days or less.
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The triggers for the different stages have been revised to give the community the ability to stay in Stage 4 for a longer period of time before moving on to Stage 5. The new stage thresholds are:
- Stage 1 (green): Zero (0) new hospital admissions COVID-19 in a 7-day period
- Stage 2 (blue): Average of less than 10 new hospital admissions COVID-19 in the MSA in a period of 7 days
- Stage 3 (yellow): Average of 10-39 new hospital admissions COVID-19 in the MSA in a period of 7 days
- Stage 4 (orange): Average of 40- (70-123) new hospital admissions COVID-19 at the MSA in a 7-day period
- Stage 5 (red): Average over 70-123 (depends on the rate of increase)
In Stage 4, the exact average hospitalization trigger will depend on the rate of increase. A faster increase in the daily average will trigger the Stage 5 risk recommendations when the number reaches the lower end of this range. As of June 28, the 7-day moving average of new hospital admissions is 52.
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The threshold triggers from the previous stage were:
- Stage 1 (green): Zero (0) new hospital admissions COVID-19 in a 7-day period
- Stage 2 (blue): Average of less than 5 new hospital admissions COVID-19 in the MSA in a period of 7 days
- Stage 3 (yellow): Average of 5-19 new hospital admissions COVID-19 at the MSA in a 7-day period
- Stage 4 (orange): Average of 20-70 new hospital admissions COVID-19 in the MSA in a 7-day period
- Stage 5 (red): Average of 70 or more new hospital admissions for COVID-19 at the MSA over a 7-day period
According to APH, the risk stage system illustrates the regression and progress of several factors, including doubling time, health care capacity, and test positivity rate on a seven-day moving average. These key indicators will inform recommendations on tightening or relaxing restrictions on physical distance, mass gatherings, business operations and other security measures in the coming months.
Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 4. At this stage, those at greatest risk (people over 65 and those with chronic medical conditions) should avoid social gatherings and meetings of more than two persons. They should also avoid all non-essential travel and avoid eating and shopping unless essential. At all times and levels, APH continues to urge the community to continue:
- Practice social distancing
- Wear cloth facials in public
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Wash hands frequently
- Avoid touching your face
- Clean commonly touched surfaces
Given the increased demand for evidence, APH is now prioritizing testing for those who are symptomatic, in a congregated setting, employees with critical infrastructure, and vulnerable populations.
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