Austin City Council voting on plan to protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19

AUSTIN, Texas - The majority of the reported COVID-19 deaths in Travis County have been residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. That's according to Austin Public Health and today Austin City Council is set to vote on what they're going to do to protect the city's vulnerable.

Councilmembers are voting on a resolution that calls for immediate action and funding to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities.

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RELATED: Unprecedented access to Texas' 1st nursing home to treat COVID-19 with Hydroxychloroquine

Austin Public Health recently reported 335 residents and staff of facilities have been infected with the coronavirus which is more than half of all reported virus-related deaths in Austin and Travis County.

Councilmember Ann Kitchen is presenting the resolution and has set target dates to prevent further spread. That includes immediate testing of all staff and residents at all facilities with clusters, deploying "strike teams", providing incentives and funding for hiring and retaining staff, and making sure all facilities have sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).

RELATED: Austin Public Health tests PPE for nursing home strike teams

The resolution directs City Manager Spencer Cronk to act immediately and use funding other resources now and then seek reimbursement from state or federal agencies at a later date.

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