COVID-19 Information

FREE PUBLIC COVID-19 TESTING NOW AVAILABLE

Are you experiencing symptoms of COVID-19? Click the button below to use this online assessment to register for FREE testing for you or a loved one.

Click the Take a Self-Assessment Button to Begin Registration

Answer a few questions to see if you are eligible for testing.
Eligibility is determined by symptoms and individual risk factors.
If you are eligible, you can sign up for testing at one of our locations.
You will receive confirmation of your appointment.
Go to your appointment to be tested for COVID-19.
Your results will be available online in 7-10 days.
Call the Austin Public Health medical hotline at 512-972-5560 if you need assistance completing the online assessment.

Those with insurance are encouraged to contact their physician’s office or insurer directly for testing referrals and private options. There are additional free testing services through APH partner CommUnityCare.

Dashboards

COVID-19 Tracking Digital Dashboard

Mobile Version	Desktop Version
Key Indicators for Staging Dashboard

Mobile Version	Desktop Version

Dashboard data will be updated every day at 6 p.m.

Please call 3-1-1 (512-974-2000) with questions or complete this form.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that is spreading from person to person. The virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person speaks, sings, coughs or sneezes. The risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Austin Public Health Response

Austin Public Health is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and regional public health and healthcare agencies. APH has developed a five-phase plan to coordinate COVID-19 response activities.

Phase 1: Persons Under Monitoring
Phase 2: Persons Under Investigation (Testing in Progress)
Phase 3: Confirmed Case(s) (No Person-to-Person Spread)
Phase 4: Limited Person-to-Person Spread (Close/Household Contacts)
Phase 5: Sustained Person-to-Person Spread in the Community

Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

APH has also activated our Department Operations Center to allow for enhanced response coordination, provided symptom monitoring for residents returning to Austin/Travis County from travel abroad, and provided prevention messaging to health care professionals, businesses, schools, and the general public. Additionally, the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) has been activated.

Clusters

Austin Public Health is defining a cluster as three or more positive cases of COVID-19 at a single location.

As of July 31st, Austin Public Health was or is actively investigating clusters of cases at 51 long-term care facilities in Austin-Travis County. The cluster locations below are divided into quadrants by IH-35 and the Colorado River.

Northwest - 15 clusters
Northeast - 8 clusters
Southwest - 26 clusters
Southeast - 2 clusters

A table breakdown of case numbers associated with nursing home and other long-term care facilities with clusters can be seen below. This data is current as of July 28th. Facilities A-D, F, J, L-M, O-P, W, Y-Z, FF, HH, JJ-KK, MM, OO-QQ, TT, VV, XX, ZZ, CCC, and HHH have been cleared by public health officials.

Expert Advisory Panel

An Expert Advisory Panel has been formed consisting of more than a dozen physicians from around the community. They include experts in infectious diseases, pediatrics, emergency medicine and internal medicine, as well as physicians from higher education and public schools. The panel is working on recommendations and guidance regarding mitigation and prevention strategies for mass gatherings.

City of Austin Facility Closures/State of Texas Waivers

A number of City of Austin facilities have changed operations or are closed (PDF). This list will be updated as other facilities close or reopen.

The Governor of Texas has published Texans Helping Texans: The Governor's Report to Open Texas, and has issued numerous waivers to help alleviate the impacts of COVID-19. The Office of Governor provides a list of state resources and information regarding the current waivers in place.

Control Orders and Emergency Rules

A number of control orders and emergency rules have been introduced mandating specified actions aimed at slowing the spread and reducing the impact of COVID-19.

Current Orders

Order 20200724-18 - July 24, 2019

Order of Control Measures for In-Person School Campus Instruction - July 14, 2020

Health Authority Rules Ordinance No. 20200709-003 - July 14, 2020

Stay Home, Mask, And Otherwise Be Safe - July 02, 2020

Stay Home, Mask, And Otherwise Be Safe - June 26, 2020

Gatherings of Individuals Order (Travis County) - June 25, 2020

Stay Home, Mask and Otherwise Be Safe (Austin) - June 22, 2020

Mandatory Health and Safety Policies for Commercial Entities (Travis County) - June 18, 2020

Mandatory Health and Safety Policies for Business Employees and Patrons (Austin) - June 17, 2020

COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines and Order (Stay Home, Save Lives), (Austin) - June 15, 2020

COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines and Order 2020-11 (Travis County) - June 15, 2020