Austin News

With the cooperation of Travis County, the City of Austin is working to open the Alternative Care Site at the Austin Convention Center to increase the region’s health care capacity.

The site is meant to take COVID-19 patients who need a lower level of care. Those who need intensive care or higher levels of care will be treated at local hospitals.

While the Austin-Travis County Alternate Care Site was established in the summer of 2020, after the area’s first big surge, it has yet to take any patients. 

“Activating the Alternate Care Site means that we believe that it is inevitable that the healthcare system in Central Texas will exceed capacity and will soon be overwhelmed,” Jason Pickett, alternate Health Authority for Austin-Travis County, said. “When we exceed capacity, we will do so not only for COVID patients, but for all individuals needing hospital care in this community. We need this community to take substantial steps now to avoid a catastrophic surge.”

On Jan. 8, the city and county requested staffing of the Alternate Care Site and the request was approved. Hospitals will refer patients to the site and patients will be transferred based on criteria developed with physician and hospital staff. The facility will have doctors and medical personnel 24 hours a day. It will have meals and beverages, linen and laundry services; toileting assistance; showering and bathing assistance; personal protective equipment, Wi-Fi, telephone and television services and social services too.

“We have been sounding the alarm for weeks that our situation was worsening,” interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said. “Our hospitals and intensive care units are filling up and deaths continue to rise throughout Central Texas. You must take simple actions today to stop this from worsening. Stay home if you can. If you must leave home, wear a mask, practice proper hand hygiene, stay 6 feet apart from others, and do not gather with someone you do not live with. The whole region must act now."