As of Sept. 8, 1,000 people in Austin-Travis County, Texas, have died from COVID-19, according to Austin Public Health.
In August, the highly-contagious delta variant of the coronavirus caused a sharp rise in hospitalizations and deaths, especially among the unvaccinated population.
The delta variant has caused an increase in the number of children and young adults who require hospitalization and life support, the health agency reported. Those who died range in age from 20 to over 80, although most of the deaths are concentrated in people over the age of 60. Almost 70% of eligible Austin-Travis County residents are fully vaccinated, according to the Texas Department of Health Services.
"Almost all of our recent deaths are unvaccinated," said Adrienne Sturrup, Interim Austin Public Health director.
Austin-Travis County is in Level 5 of the APH Risk-Based Guidelines, which means that everyone is encouraged to wear a mask and practice social-distancing, regardless of vaccination status.
"We need to work together as individuals to survive as a community," said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority.
Receiving the coronavirus vaccine is free and does not require health insurance or an ID. To locate a vaccine provider, visit vaccines.gov or text your zip code to 438829 (822862 for Spanish).