News

The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update – April 3

By The Woodlands Township | April 3, 2020

On Friday, April 3 at 6 p.m., The Woodlands Township shared the following updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis.

Hotlines for health questions and COVID-19
Montgomery County: 936-523-5040
Harris County: 713-634-1110

Special Board of Directors meeting
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a special meeting via videoconference at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2020 to discuss the Township’s response to COVID-19. View the meeting video.

Read our article on the meeting here.

County News

Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count
Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, can confirm there are now 130 positive cases of COVID-19, up 11 cases from yesterday. We now have 18 recoveries!

It is important to stay focused on the common goal: preventing more cases in our community. YOU can help us by staying in your home, limiting all unnecessary contact with others, washing your hands, and disinfecting surfaces in and around your home. Don’t forget your car, too!

Details on cases can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html.

Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
As of April 3, 2020 (4:00 p.m.), Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has 70 new cases of COVID-19, which brings the total to 519 positive cases. HCPH is also confirming that 118 of its patients have recovered. These new cases do not include those within the City of Houston.

HCPH Reports our 5th COVID-19 Related Death
It is with great sadness that HCPH is reporting an additional death, bringing the total to 5 COVID-19 related deaths. The woman, between the ages of 80-90 years old, lived in the northwest quadrant of Harris County. She had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and was later admitted to the hospital after developing symptoms. Additionally, she had underlying health conditions.

“We at Harris County Public Health send our heartfelt condolences to the patients’ family and friends,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, HCPH Executive Director. “COVID-19 does not discriminate and we want our residents in Harris County to stay home and practice social distancing as much as possible. It is our responsibility as a community to do this for one another so we can protect ourselves and loved ones.”

Dashboard Integration with HHD
HCPH and the Houston Health Department are working together and uploading our COVID-19 case data to the Harris County dashboard. The COVID-19 dashboard will update daily at 4:00 p.m. and moving forward it will provide users easy access to data from residents in the City of Houston as well as resident of unincorporated Harris County.

For information regarding case counts, quadrant data across Harris County and the latest COVID-19 information, please visit https://hcphtx.org/covid-19.

Free Self-Screening Tool for COVID-19
Visit the self-screening tool on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Tracking COVID-19: Local, Regionally, Nationally, Internationally
Below are the widgets for tracking COVID19.

State News

Governor Abbott Press Conference
Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a press conference at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020, and shared the following statistics relating to Texas:5,000 individuals have been tested

5,748 individuals have tested positive
827 of the positive cases have required hospitalization (15% of positive cases)
91 fatalities, statewide

Abbott Laboratories has created a rapid test which yields results within 15 minutes. There are currently 10,000 rapid tests available in Texas and 20,000 texts will be available weekly going forward. These rapid tests are primarily for frontline workers such as doctors and nurses who need immediate confirmation of their health status.

The Governor’s strike force has been working to ramp up the supply of available Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare providers. Additionally, Gov. Abbott has signed waivers allowing for the expansion of available beds and an increase in medical service providers, by allowing out-of-state retired physicians and nurses to work in Texas should the need arise. As a result of those waivers, 19,695 beds are currently available for COVID-19 cases, if there is a surge in the coming weeks.

The Governor reiterated that the key to flattening the curve is prevention: social distancing, avoiding non-essential errands, practicing good hand hygiene and staying home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave.

Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has launched a statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress, or other emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource offers support for all Texans and can be reached any time day or night at 833-986-1919.

The line is operated by the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, and offers trauma-informed support and psychological first aid to those experiencing mental health symptoms related to COVID-19. Counseling services are confidential and free of charge.

More information on mental health resources and your local metal health authority can be found on HHSC’s website. View the full release.

Township News

The Woodlands Express Park and Ride Service Changes
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Woodlands Express Park and Ride schedule has been revised. The revisions are in response to continuing reductions seen in ridership levels to the Downtown and Greenway Plaza locations. This reduced schedule will help to manage the cost of service while still providing adequate space for social distancing and seat spacing on board the buses. Please view the revised schedule here.

Help Our Heroes
The Woodlands Township has launched a program to collect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and essential supplies needed for first responders and medical service providers in the community.
Please consider donating these materials if you have them on-hand. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Collection Days and Location
Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Central Fire Station, located at 9951 Grogan’s Mill Rd., The Woodlands, TX 77380
Please email pbuck@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov if you can help.
Supplies Needed
Isolation gowns
Gloves
Masks – N95s, surgical, procedure, etc.
Hair Covers
Full Face Shields
PAPR Hoods – Typically only used when doing an aerosolizing procedure.
Eyewear – Face shields, reusable goggles or disposable glasses
Boot Covers / Shoe Covers
Germicidal Wipes
Disinfectant Spray / Paper Towels

Guidelines for Social Distancing on the Pathways
For pedestrians using the pathways, please remain a minimum of 6 feet apart. Be sure to stay to the right, watch for other pathway users, be especially alert when running and listen for audible signals and allow faster pathway users to pass freely.

For bicyclists using the pathways, please give audible warnings when passing pathway users, ride at a safe speed, helmets are recommended and be sure to ride straight ahead.

For rollerbladers on pathways, blade at a safe speed, helmets and protective gear are recommended, blade straight ahead and listen for audible warnings and allow faster pathway users to pass freely.

Staying Safe While Grocery Shopping
Whether you are grocery shopping for your family in person or utilizing curbside pick-up/delivery options, there are still important safety practices that can help to limit your risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Follow federal guidelines regarding social distancing and prevention. Maintain 6 feet of distance between yourself and other shoppers/grocery store employees. Pay particular attention when standing in line and continue to observe the 6-foot rule at all times.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces such as grocery carts handles with a disinfectant wipe, if possible.
If you use a debit or credit card, keep in mind that those machines are high-touch surfaces. Wash your hands after touching those surfaces and wipe down your cards with disinfectant wipes or an alcohol-based sanitizer. The EPA has created a list of known disinfectants that are effective against COVID-19 on surfaces.
If possible, go to the store during off-peak hours when the store is less crowded. If you are a senior, try to shop during the Senior Hours that are offered at grocery stores in the community.
Discard any disposable grocery bags upon unpacking your groceries and disinfect counters and surfaces where bags may have been placed for unpacking.
Always wash your hands after handling food packaging and before eating.

Please keep in mind, the FDA has stated that there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted via food. It is a respiratory-borne virus and therefore the risk of contracting it through food or food packaging is extremely low. The main risk to an individual is thought to be from exposure to another person with COVID-19, who is symptomatic or asymptomatic, and touching one’s face or mouth after coming into contact with an infected surface. Social distancing and washing your hands frequently remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19…COVID-19 is a virus that causes respiratory illness. Foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. This includes between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.” – The Food and Drug Administration, March 17, 2020

Community Resource Information

The following items were received from the agencies noted.

United Way of Greater Houston Helpline and COVID-19 Recovery Fund
United Way of Greater Houston’s 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is our community’s go-to resource in times of disaster and every day. The 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is available 24/7 to connect people with food, childcare, transportation, and other critical information and resources. If you or someone you know needs help, dial 211.

United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation have launched the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund to serve our region’s most vulnerable neighbors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more and donate to the fund at greaterhoustonrecovery.org.

YMCA Operating as an Essential Personnel Child Care Site
Located at 6145 Shadowbend Place, The Y is providing a full day of programming, snack and meals for the children of “essential personnel,” including medical workers; first responders; select government staff; and grocery store, pharmacy and food distributor employees.

Children, ages 1 – 12 years old are eligible to register. The program runs Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. and features games, arts and crafts, STEAM and literacy activities. Register online. Financial assistance is available.

Food Banks
Local food banks are inventorying their resources to ascertain what will be needed in the days to come. Many Township residents have expressed a desire to volunteer or donate; please see the information below regarding those needs.

Interfaith of The Woodlands remains open to meet the basic needs in South Montgomery County, including Senior Grocery Delivery, Crisis Assistance Services and Food Pantry Assistance. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Curbside services are by phone at 281-367-1230. Donations are being accepted. Please read on to learn how you can lend support to Interfaith.
Montgomery County Food Bank is conducting a virtual food drive. Please read on to learn how you can help.
Meals on Wheels has coordinated a food drive to stock the shelves. A system in place to deliver supplies to the most at-risk neighbors, but they need your help to provide the food… because no one deserves to have an empty pantry, especially at times like this. During these times of uncertainty, food insecurity is at an all-time high. An increasing number of seniors are becoming homebound, as the fear of going out and being exposed to COVID-19 continues. Join the virtual food drive.
Community Assistance Center Serving Montgomery County is currently providing assistance to residents of Montgomery County with financial assistance for utilities, pre-packaged bags of groceries during Wednesday Markets and is accepting donations. For more information view the flyer.

Grocery Store Special Hours

ALDI: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Costco: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fiesta Mart: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
HEB: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Delivery to seniors (60+) is available through partner, Favor Delivery. Phone orders are accepted 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week by calling 1-833-397-0080. This service is free until April 19, 2020 but will include a $10 tip to the Favor Runner who will shop for and deliver the items.
Kroger: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sam’s Club: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Open Tuesday and Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for seniors 65+
Concierge curbside service available for seniors 65+
Target: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. priority is given to 65+, pregnant and those in at-risk conditions.
Trader Joe’s: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wal-Mart: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Open Tuesdays from 6 to 7 a.m. for seniors 65+.
Whole Foods: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Shoppers 60+ can begin shopping at 7 a.m.

The Township’s Coronavirus page
The Woodlands Township’s special COVID-19 information page can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page now features Montgomery and Harris county Hubs, community resources and updated COVID-19 news from the Federal Government and the CDC. This page also includes the latest news from The Township, updates from partner agencies, social distancing strategies, important links, frequently asked questions, live Twitter feeds and more. Please check back often as it is updated frequently.

Source: The Woodlands Township