Risk Management
DSHS Commissioner Hellerstedt on How Texans can Prevent COVID-19

Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Risk-Based Guidelines

Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Risk-Based Guidelines

Austin Public Health (APH) has published a color-coded chart to help residents of Austin-Travis County understand the stages of risk and provide recommendations on what people should do to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. APH is currently exploring the most effective indicators to help determine the level of risk in the local community. Provisional triggers are being modeled based on the number of hospitalizations because of their general correlation with numbers of cases, use of ventilators, deaths, and availability of effective treatment and vaccination.
The new risk-based guidelines set out five distinct stages of risk, from the lowest threat, Stage 1, through the most serious, Stage 5, along with recommended behaviors for each stage. For lower-risk individuals, defined as those with no substantial underlying health conditions who have a lower risk of complication and death from COVID-19, the recommendations are as follows: Stage 1: Practice good hygiene, stay home if sick, and avoid other people who are sick. APH is working on recommendations for maximum sizes of gatherings. Individuals are advised they are safe to return to work at all businesses. Stage 2: Includes the recommendations for Stage 1 and adds: Maintain social distancing and wear fabric face coverings in public. Individuals are urged to avoid dining and shopping except with precautions, and to avoid gathering in groups of more than 25 people. They are advised they are safe to return to work at essential and reopened businesses. Stage 3: Includes the recommendations for Stage 2 and also urges individuals to avoid non-essential travel, all social gatherings, and any gatherings of more than 10 people. Stage 4: Includes the recommendations for Stage 3 and advises individuals they are safe to return to work, and dine and shop, only at “expanded essential businesses”. This category will be defined shortly. Stage 5: Includes the recommendations for Stage 4 and urges individuals to avoid all gatherings outside of the household and avoid dining and shopping except as essential. In this stage it is considered safe to return to work at essential businesses only.

Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 3 . Updates can be found here.



Chronic Conditions and COVID-19

Asthma

COVID-19 and Asthma
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): People with Moderate to Severe Asthma Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Asthma & COPD Asthma & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COVID-19 Myth Busting with Dr. Juanita Mora
Source: American Lung Association COVID-19: What People with Asthma Need to Know The risks and how to protect yourselef if you have asthma.
Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America



Diabetes

Telemedicine and Diabetes Using Telemedicine To Improve Care for Patients With Diabetes
Source: Diabetes in Control- News and Information for Medical Professionals Understanding and Preparing for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Source: Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists What people with diabetes need to know about COVID-19 Source: American Heart Association



Heart Disease

COVID-19 and High Risks with Heart Disease Coronavirus Precautions for Patients, Others Facing Higher Risks
Source: American Heart Association High Blood Pressure and COVID-19 What People with High Blood Pressure Need to Know About COVID-19.
Source: American Heart Association Heart, Stroke, and COVID-19 Coronavirus: What Heart and Stroke Patients Need to Know (Video)
Source: American Heart Association American Heart Association: Coronavirus (COVID-19) American Heart Association Coronavirus homepage
Source: American Heart Association



Cancer

Coronavirus: What People with Cancer Should Know
Source: National Cancer Institute Common Questions About the New Coronavirus Outbreak
Source: American Cancer Society



Alzheimer's Disease

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers
Source: Alzheimer’s Association COVID-19 Guidance for Older Adults
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19: What Older Adults Need to Know (Video)
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention



All Chronic Conditions

Underlying Health Conditions and COVID-19 Preliminary Estimates of the Prevalence of Selected Underlying Health Conditions Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019
United States, February 12–March 28, 2020
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR Chronic Disease and COVID-19: What You Need to Know (PDF) Tips and information to protect yourself and your family
Source: National Association of Chronic Disease Directors Underlying Medical Conditions and People at Higher Risk PRESENTATION: Underlying Medical Conditions and People at Higher Risk for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Presentation
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COCA