In Austin, they warn that the city’s Covid case is ‘extreme’

Austin- Authorities in Austin, Texas, warned the public Saturday that the city’s Covid-19 case is desperate, as the wave of cases caused by the delta variant has crowded hospitals while city officials have prevented them from issuing a mask-wearing mandate. Or to be vaccinated on orders from the state’s governor, Greg Abbott.

In an alert sent Saturday via text message, phone call, email, social networking and other channels to people in that area, city authorities said, “The case of Covid-19 in Austin is extreme. Healthcare facilities are open but resources are limited due to an increase in cases.”

Friday was one of the worst days for Austin hospitals since the pandemic began, said Bryce Pensivengo, a spokesman for the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

He said more than 100 new Covid patients were admitted on that day, and the intensive care units were close to capacity, with Covid patients occupying more than 180 intensive care beds and 102 of those people on ventilators.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler said in an interview Saturday that the crisis could have been avoided if Abbott had not prevented local authorities from ordering the use of masks.

He added that city officials want to avoid suing Abbott, but “finally we will do everything in our power to fight for the safety of our community.”