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Austin Public Health is moving the area down to Stage Four of the COVID-19 risk based guidelines. Health Authority Doctor Desmar Walkes says the community transmission rate, positivity rate, and seven-day average of hospital admissions are continuing to decline since the peak of the omicron surge in January. In Stage Four, fully vaccinated people are advised to wear masks during gatherings with people outside their household. Health officials recommend those unvaccinated only travel for essential purposes, avoid gatherings with anyone outside their household, and to get the shot as soon as possible.