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Relatively few people have notified Austin Public Health authorities about their positive COVID test results, Axios has learned through a records request.

Driving the news: Since Jan. 4, when the self-reporting email address went live, local public health authorities have received 176 submissions about at-home test results — 162 of which have come back positive.

During that time, more than 1,000 new cases have been reported daily through doctors and clinics in Travis County, including a high of 1,625 on Jan. 10.

Yes, but: Most Austinites don't know there's a new self-reporting tool for at-home COVID tests.

Flashback: We reported last week that Austin Public Health officials acknowledge that "infections are both widespread and underreported."

Plus: The state is not tracking at-home data because of inconsistencies in the way it's collected. 

Few Austinites submit at-home COVID test result

But most Austinites don't know there's a new self-reporting tool for at-home COVID tests.

Illustration of a pattern of covid particles and positive signs turning into each other.

COVID-19

Relatively few people have notified Austin Public Health authorities about their positive COVID test results, Axios has learned through a records request.

COVID

News

Tonight is Austin's first winter weather test since a devastating storm last February left thousands of residents hungry, desperate and in the dark — and more than two dozen Travis County residents dead. 

The big picture: This cold snap will not be nearly as frigid as Winter Storm Uri's freeze, when temps dropped to the single digits, but public officials are not taking any chances.

Sign up for Emergency Alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org.

Assemble a storm preparation kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, snacks, water and other necessities. 

If working from home, save your work periodically and make sure your devices are on power strips.

Heat your home safely. To avoid injury and illness, never heat your house with a gas oven or burn anything in a stove or a fireplace that is not vented. 

Keep space heaters away from any flammable materials, like curtains or blankets. Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water. Do not use extension cords with space heaters.

If you see tree limbs on wires or downed limbs, please call 311 to report them.

Watch for scams. Scammers target utility customers every day, but storms, holidays and emergencies turn into opportunities for scammers because they know you are distracted. Learn how to recognize a scam.

Customers can also minimize their impact on the electric grid by following these tips to save energy during cold weather:

Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Wear warm, comfortable clothing to help stay warm indoors instead of adjusting the thermostat.

Switch the setting on ceiling fans to run clockwise at a low speed. This gentle updraft helps push warm air near the ceiling down into your living space.

Save energy in the kitchen. Use a slow cooker or microwave instead of the oven. 

Turn off outside faucets and wrap them with towels or a Styrofoam insulator.

Protect indoor faucets. Open cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes. Turn a cold-water tap to a drip.

Tips to survive an Austin cold snap

This won't be nearly as frigid as Winter Storm Uri’s freeze, when temps dropped to the single digits.

Tree limbs covered in ice in Austin on Feb. 17, 2021. Photo: Thomas Ryan Allison/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Weather

Tonight is Austin&#x27;s first winter weather test since a devastating storm last February left thousands of residents hungry, desperate and in the dark — and more than two dozen Travis County residents dead. The big picture: This cold snap will not be nearly as frigid as Winter Storm Uri&#x27;s freeze, when temps dropped to the single digits, but public officials are not taking any chances.

And in these COVID times of ours, double-check that events are a go and peek at public health guidelines before you head out. 

🧑🏽‍🎨 Root for your favorite artist at the Buda Art Brawl as painters battle it out over cumbia music on Friday at 7pm at the Inspired Minds Arts Center. Tickets are $10-$25; kids under age 10 get in free.

🎤 Sing along to Dolly Parton hits as Poo Poo Platter and friends celebrate the performer's birthday at the Elysium Friday at 10pm. Tickets start at $10. Happy belated birthday, Dolly!

🏀 Watch the University of the Texas men's basketball team take on Oklahoma State at 1pm Saturday at the Erwin Center. Tickets start at $10.

📚 Pull up a chair for a virtual seminar on how to do Black family history research, starting before Emancipation, at the Carver Genealogy Center at 1pm Saturday.

👟 Tie your laces and run in the 3M Half Marathon downtown. The race, which raises money for the Central Texas Food Bank, begins at 7:30am Sunday. Entry fee starts at $115. 

Weekend Austin picks for Jan. 21-23

In these times of ours, check that events are a go and peek at public health guidelines before you head out.

Illustration of a latte with "weekend" written in the foam.

Stay warm this winter weekend.And in these COVID times of ours, double-check that events are a go and peek at <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="public health guidelines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austintexas.gov/page/covid-19-risk-based-guidelines" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austintexas.gov/page/covid-19-risk-based-guidelines" target="_blank">public health guidelines</a> before you head out.

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Acting on behalf of a reader, we solicited your recommendations for the best cheesecake and key lime in Austin.

State of play: Being a dedicated journalist, Asher decided it was his responsibility — nay, his obligation — to truth-test some of these reader recommendations. So, Thursday saw him whizzing around town, braving the cold, to try yet another forkful of cheesecake. 

Asher's verdict: Dense, delicious and elegant — classic New York-style. Bonus fancy points for silver leaf on the blackberries.

Neena S. wrote that she is "obsessed" with the sweet potato cheesecake with praline sauce at Hoover's.

Asher's opinion: Airy and happily not too sweet — as long as you get the sauce on the side.

Former American-Statesman restaurant critic Mike Sutter (he's currently with the San Antonio Express-News) suggested the Celia Jacobs Cheesecake Experience — "because of the sampling opportunities presented by their diminutive size."

Of note: Celia Jacobs is temporarily shuttered while it looks for a new home since its food truck park is closing down.

Faith S. pointed us to Austintatious Cheesecakes, and multiple sliceable shoutouts were heard for Chez Zee and Upper Crust Bakery including from Sarah M., Belinda H., Kate Z. and Sarah L.

Asher declares the Upper Crust version creamy and decadent.

Austin's favorite cheesecakes

See how some of the city's favorite sweet, soft and creamy slices stack up.

A slice of cheesecake with blackberries on top.

Committed to his profession, Asher was forced to dig into this slice of cheesecake from Word of Mouth Bakery. Photo: Asher Price/Axios

Food

Acting on behalf of a reader, we solicited your recommendations for the best cheesecake and key lime in Austin.State of play: Being a dedicated journalist, Asher decided it was his responsibility — nay, his obligation — to truth-test some of these reader recommendations. So, Thursday saw him whizzing around town, braving the cold, to try yet another forkful of cheesecake.

Food and Drink

Austin is still burning from last year's blizzard.

Flashback: Nearly a year after Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc on Texas' energy grid, plunging many Austinites into a cave-like ice age, the state has entered its sometimes-treacherous winter weather pattern.

The big picture: Texans were reminded yet again of the possibility of another blackout Thursday as they woke up to rapidly dropping temperatures, a face-off between two companies and a threat to cut power to 400,000 Texas homes.

By Thursday afternoon, Energy Transfer LP subsidiaries had walked back a threat to cut off fuel to five Vistra power plants, whose electrons power homes, businesses, schools and hospitals — including, potentially, some in Austin.

But the companies still have not resolved their underlying financial dispute stemming from last February's winter storm, the Texas Tribune reported, highlighting just one of the many question marks around the future of Texas' grid.

Little has been done to address one of the underlying causes of the blackouts — namely, preparing gas facilities for ice-cold conditions. Austin officials have scrambled to prove how prepared they are for a repeat catastrophe. 

A press release a couple months ago touted the warehousing of boot spikes and tire chains for walking and driving on icy surfaces at area water treatment facilities.

A city auditor report found Austin was unprepared to respond to Winter Storm Uri because officials had not adequately considered the risks of a severe winter storm or a widespread disaster.

Flashback: The storm led to desperation and death — at least 28 people died in Travis County, six in Williamson, two in Burnet and one each in Bastrop, Llano and Lee counties, per the state tally.

Statewide, the storm's 246 victims ranged in age from under 1 to 102 years old.

The lion's share died from injuries associated with extreme cold exposure, such as hypothermia and frostbite.

While people in poverty and the elderly shouldered the worst of it, even the ultra-ultra-ultra rich were affected.

"I was actually in Austin for that snowstorm in a house with no electric, no lights, no power, no heating, no internet — couldn't actually even get to a food store," Tesla CEO Elon Musk said at an investor meeting in October. 

What they're saying: "Yes, it can happen again," Curt Morgan, chief executive of the power company Vistra, told Texas Monthly reporter Russell Gold about the possibility of another electricity crisis.

Why it matters: The political stakes are high, as Gov. Greg Abbott has guaranteed power won't fail this winter.

Yes, but: Whether there are blackouts this winter — or even this summer — the question is: Will voters care come November? 

Democrats are hoping to make the election about government competency, but Republicans will turn the conversation to books in schools, gun rights and other hot-button issues.

Austin preps for another cold winter

Officials have scrambled to prove how prepared they are for a repeat catastrophe.

Icicles hang from a frozen water fountain in front of the state Capitol building in Austin.

Icicles hang from a frozen  fountain in front of the state Capitol building. Photo: Joe Raedle/Newsmakers

Austin is still burning from last year&#x27;s blizzard.Flashback: Nearly a year after Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc on Texas&#x27; energy grid, plunging many Austinites into a cave-like ice age, the state has entered its sometimes-treacherous winter weather pattern.

Asher Price

Featured stories

Austin's favorite cheesecakes

Weekend Austin picks for Jan. 21-23

Austin preps for another cold winter

Tips to survive an Austin cold snap

Few Austinites submit at-home COVID test result