Austin, Texas – The Austin-Travis County Hispanic/Latinx community has been disproportionately and inequitably burdened by COVID-19.  

Austin Public Health (APH) data from July 7 shows that 52% of confirmed cases and 41% of deaths in Travis County are self-identified as Hispanic. Additionally, the Hispanic/Latinx community comprises 59.8% of hospitalizations in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). 

APH, in partnership with the City of Austin’s Equity Office, the University of Texas Dell Medical School, and CommUnityCare, have developed a draft plan for comments from the public. This plan will be a working document for Austin-Travis County to address issues impacting the Hispanic/Latinx community.   

The plan encompasses a broad set of strategies that build on the foundation outlined in the Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Outreach Strategy released in June, which was developed by APH with input from local Latinx community members. The plan recommends a focus on four strategic areas:  

• Outreach, Prevention, and Communication 

• Testing and Contact Tracing 

• Access to Quality Clinical Resources 

• Economic and Employment Support 

“These recommendations reinforce and build upon the substantive, ongoing efforts of countless community groups,” said Stephanie Hayden, Austin Public Health Director. “Community feedback is critical for ensuring we are capturing local efforts and priorities in the plan.” 

Community members are encouraged to learn more about the plan, review each strategy and provide feedback through a 10-minute survey by July 15. 

English Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LRL66D2
Spanish Survey: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/RZTFZSD

The strike team is also directly reaching organizations that work heavily with the Hispanic/Latinx community to get their input and learn more about ongoing efforts.  

For COVID-19 information and updates, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.