Austin Public Health Reminds Families About COVID-19 Holiday Safety

Austin, Texas – Austin Public Health (APH) is reminding Austin-Travis County about holiday safety ahead of the winter holidays.
 
It is more important than ever that people stay safe and avoid gathering outside of their household this holiday season as case numbers continue to rise.

Data from the University of Texas COVID-19 Modeling Consortium projects surpassing the Stage 5 primary key indicator of 50 new hospitalizations on the 7-day moving average by the end of December, meaning the hospital system will be stretched thin and more loved ones will suffer from this pandemic.
 
“We are concerned about the case numbers and hospitalizations rising ahead of the winter holidays,” said Stephanie Hayden, APH Director. “We know people want to gather this year for the holidays, but it is important that we keep our loved ones safe by only gathering with those we already live with. We want everyone to be able to gather with their loved ones in years to come.”
 
To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season, APH is offering risk guidance for gatherings.

Learn more about how to have a safe season on the Holiday Safety Guidance page.
 
Some of the safety measures that individuals can take are avoiding gatherings outside of their household, only sending one household member on errands, like going grocery shopping, instead of the whole household, and continuing to wash hands, wear a mask, and social distance outside of the house.
 
“We have control over the virus in our community. Unlike a weather forecast, the UT modeling can be changed by our behavior,” said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “We can change our pandemic forecast by avoiding gatherings, wearing masks, washing our hands, and social distancing.”
 
Faith Leaders Encourage COVID-19 Safety and Unity
 
“We are in this together:” Faith leaders across Austin recorded an interfaith message of unity during COVID-19. The video can be shared with attribution to Austin Public Health and can be viewed at this link. 
 
For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.