WEEKEND READ: New COVID-19 orders for Austin businesses amid testing and staffing shortages

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the omicron variant continues to spread rapidly across Central Texas, health leaders are directing businesses to help them flatten the curve. There are 579 people in Austin-area hospitals right now with COVID-19, as of the latest numbers.
Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County health authority, said they’re seeing roughly 20% of people who show up to the hospital with COVID-19 end up in the ICU.
“This is a little different from other surges in that it’s