Photo provided by The Woodlands TownshipNews
The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update April 28
The Woodlands Township shared the following COVID-19 updates on Tuesday, April 28.
Township News
The Woodlands Township Board to Meet Thursday
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors continues to meet virtually in regards to addressing matters related to COVID-19. This week, the Board will be discussing the actions taken by the State of Texas as well as information from Montgomery County and Harris County. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. central time on Thursday, April 30, 2020 and can be accessed online at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
Watch a video as Township Chairman Gordy Bunch explains what the Governor’s new Order means for The Woodlands.
Board Stresses Importance of CDC Guidelines of Social Distancing and Facial Coverings
The Township Board of Directors continues to strongly recommend CDC Guidelines for social distancing and facial coverings while out in public, especially when you will be around other people. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Everyone should continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. “Fighting this pandemic requires that we all work together – citizens and government,” Chairman Gordy Bunch said. “We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves and a responsibility to take care of those around us.” Please see CDC website for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/
State News
Governor Abbott Announces Reopening Plan for Texas
County News
Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count
Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, is saddened to confirm the 11th and 12th deaths related to COVID-19 in Montgomery County. The 11th death was a man in his 60s, who was a resident of Conroe. He died in a local hospital. The 12th death was a man in his 50s, who was a resident of New Caney. He was tested and confirmed positive after his death. We offer our condolences to both families. There are now 404 ACTIVE cases of COVID-19. That number includes 42 hospitalizations. 146 people have fully recovered. The number of total positive cases has increased 32 since yesterday.
Details on individual cases can be found here: https://mcphd-tx.org/coronavirus-covid-19/confirmed-cases/.
Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management updates a dashboard for the cases here: https://coronavirus-response-moco.hub.arcgis.com/.
Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
As of April 28, 2020 (4 p.m.), Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has 2,567 positive cases (1,133 active cases). HCPH is also confirming that 1,381 of its patients have recovered. There have been 53 total deaths of COVID-19 in Harris County. None of these numbers include the City of Houston. A full description of the numbers can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/tzymvk5
Cases by zip code in Harris County can be found here by clicking on areas of the map.
The Village of Creekside Park is located in two zip codes: 77375 and 77389 and these also include Magnolia, Augusta Pines/Auburn Lakes/West Rayford Road in northwest Harris County. Today, Harris County is reporting zip code 77375 has 34 cases and 77389 has 36 cases.
Harris County Judge Announces Framework to Guide County Containment Efforts
Today, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced a three-point framework designed to contain the spread of COVID-19 as a phased approach to reopen the economy across Texas begins to ramp up. The framework contains three key components, including increased tracing of positive cases, enhanced testing capacity, and continued efforts to ensure there is enough healthcare capacity to weather a spike in cases.
Please read the Harris County Framework here.
Harris County Simplified COVID-19 Assessment Tool for Testing
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has revamped its COVID-19 online self-assessment tool to streamline the COVID-19 testing process. The online tool can be found at: www.readyharris.org or www.hcphtx.org (or https://covidcheck.hctx.net). Learn more about the assessment tool here.
Current status of hospital availability
Residents in The Woodlands can take comfort in the fact that hospitals in The Woodlands and Southeast Texas region are prepared to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is evidenced in data summarized by the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC) which provides medical leadership in our region regarding the care of trauma and acute care patients. SETRAC is keeping daily count of hospital bed availability, ventilator usage and other key factors within the Southeast Texas area.
As reflected in SETRAC data, Houston Methodist The Woodlands, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands and St. Luke’s The Woodlands have more than adequate capacity to handle an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Hospital data from the 25-county SETRAC region is available for the following categories:
- Daily Admissions
- General Bed Usage
- ICU Usage
- Ventilator Usage
- COVID Related Census
Viewers can review these numbers regionally or at the county level.
Around the Township
Total Donations to Help Our Heroes
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors launched the Help Our Heroes campaign in early April to collect crucial Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) supplies for local first responders and hospitals. Thanks to the generous donations of residents like you, the Township has collected a variety of supplies that number into the thousands for local heroes.
Total amounts of donations:
- Shoe/Hair Covers 3,636
- Gloves 13,480
- Face Shields 224
- Masks (homemade, surgical, N95) 2,290
- Sanitizing Wipes 33
- Sanitizer Bottles 28
- Large Liquid Hand Soap 2
- Isolation Gowns 56
- Safety Goggles 321
- Paper Towels 234
- Commercial Paper Towels 6,818
- Cleaners 40
- Alcohol 6
- Empty Spray Bottles 28
- Powered Air Purifier 1
- Other 2
Adopt A Healthcare Worker Donations
- Aloe Vera 3
- Peroxide 3
- Toilet Paper 87
- Kleenex 13
- Bottled Water 317
- Gatorade/Energy Drink 140
- Vitamin C 15
- Granola Bars/Snacks 131
- Personal Hygiene Items 20
Numerous resources are available in the community for support. These vary from food banks to financial assistance and much more. Please visit the link below to find more information about resources in the community related to COVID-19: https://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/1491/Community-Resources.
Children’s Safe Harbor
With the stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19, it has become one of the most dangerous times for children at risk for potential abuse given the financial and emotional stress that families are going through. Isolation is a huge risk. Children’s Safe Harbor serves children who have been sexually assaulted, severely physically abused, sexually trafficked or exploited or traumatized and advocates for their justice and healing. The organization is in need of gift cards, tutors and food to give to the families they serve.
For the past seven years at the end of April, deemed National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, Children’s Safe Harbor has installed an interactive art display of pinwheels representing the number of children who were provided the unique services on the road to healing, justice and hope. A total of 2,615 pinwheels were installed by Children’s Safe Harbor’s staff, board of directors and members of the Montgomery County Child Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Team on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. These 2,615 pinwheels continue to represent a steady increase in numbers of children served year after year.
Children’s Safe Harbor board member Shanna Redwine, Chief of Special Victims Division of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, said, “As a prosecutor and a member of the Board of Children’s Safe Harbor, I can tell you that this organization is on the front lines of protecting children. In 2019, Children’s Safe Harbor saw 2,615 children due to a concern for abuse or neglect and they welcomed and served each and every one of them with the highest degree of professionalism. Children are at an even greater risk of abuse during this time of stress and isolation caused by the COVID-19 virus, and I am grateful to have Children’s Safe Harbor as a partner in the fight to protect children.”
Please visit www.ChildrensSafeHarbor.org for more information and how to help. This year and in 2019, Children’s Safe Harbor brought the Pinwheel Art Display to The Woodlands on the grounds of the Montgomery County Ed Chance Courthouse Annex on Lake Robbins Drive to celebrate the commitment across south Montgomery for the children’s advocacy center program.
Community Assistance Center
The Montgomery County Community Assistance Center is seeking help through monetary and in-kind donations and through volunteers. View the flyer to learn more.
Interfaith Requesting Help
The following are needs for Interfaith of The Woodlands:
Funding: Funding to be used for the following:
- To purchase bulk, specific and essential foods, toiletries and paper goods for food assistance for families and Seniors.
- Provide financial assistance (i.e. rent, mortgage, utilities, gas cards and prescription assistance) to families and Seniors.
Monetary Donations can be made here: https://interfaith-of-the-woodlands.snwbll.com/covid-19-community-response
Food Donations: Interfaith is actively accepting food donations of: cereal, canned meat, dry pasta, vegetables and fruit, snacks for kids, peanut butter, jelly, meal starters, soups, crackers, toiletries, paper goods including toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Donations will be accepted on Wednesdays from 9-11 am at Interfaith Central, 4242 Interfaith Way.
Encouragement Cards for Seniors and Healthcare workers: We are accepting cards for Seniors and Healthcare workers to help bring sunshine to their day! All cards donated will be delivered to our Senior neighbors during grocery delivery and to local hospitals. You can mail your cards or drive through and drop off at our office at 4242 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands, 77381.
Mosaics of Mercy Needs Assistance in the Following Areas:
- Donation to support our mission of being a central hub for mental health resources for our community
- Sponsorship for our weekly podcast- Hope Pieced Together ($350/episode- and they are thanked for their sponsorship via social media, during the podcast, and in the show notes)
- Getting the word out about Mosaics of Mercy and that we are available to help people navigate mental health resources. Options:Assist us with marketing
-Assist us with marketing
-Share our website with your friends and contacts
-Share our social media posts
-Share our podcasts - Donate a mosaic heart to be sent to someone in the community that is struggling (Done through the donate page of our website)
- Display a mosaic heart and our information in your place of business to continue to get the word out that mental health resources are available.
Please visit www.mosaicsofmercy.com for additional information.
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 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.
Report from The Woodlands Fire Department
Daily Brief for Tuesday, April 28, 2020
The Monday testing site at Woodforest Bank Stadium conducted 190 tests on people that had pre-screened. They expect to have all the results by late Thursday.
Montgomery County
- 562 Confirmed +32
- 12 deaths +2
- 146 recovered +5
- 42 Hospitalized +4
- 362 Self isolation or recovery at home +21
Harris County
- 2567 Confirmed +98
- 53 deaths +1
- 1381 recovered +92
City of Houston
- 3419 Confirmed +61
- 50 deaths +4
- 604 recovered +57
The Woodlands Fire
- 0 personnel in quarantine
Hotlines for health questions and COVID-19
Montgomery County: 936-523-5040
Harris County: 713-634-1110
Statewide Mental Health Support Line: 833-986-1919
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.
- Montgomery County
- Texas Counties Statewide
- Texas Department of Health and Human Services Case Counts
- Global Cases
Retail-To-Go
Visit The Woodlands, the official destination marketing organization for The Woodlands, has launched a Retail To Go Program promoting storefront retail businesses in The Woodlands Township following Governor Abbott’s Executive Order establishing a Strike Force to open Texas.
“Our local retailers and restaurants have all been proactive and managed to change their business models in response to this global pandemic,” said Visit The Woodlands Chairman Bruce Rieser. “Here at Visit The Woodlands, we’re committed to supporting and promoting those efforts. Our team continues to create new content that will bring the hospitality message to our residents on behalf of our partners and help ensure their success.”
Retail to-go with curbside pickup is now available in a growing number of stores in The Woodlands. For more information, click here: https://visitthewoodlands.com/blog/retail-to-go-in-the-woodlands/
Experience The Woodlands with Safe Social Distancing
Looking to try new restaurants or shops while social distancing? Save this passport to your phone and check off these “destinations” as you support dining and shopping options in The Woodlands. You can visit these destinations by making purchases from local stores and ordering from area restaurants. Post your progress to encourage your friends and neighbors to participate. Snap photos of your food and purchases and be sure to share them on social media, tagging the business and using #SoWoodlands.
Stay Connected
Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township through our many communications channels. Learn more and sign up at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.
#Township Together
The Woodlands Township would like to call on residents to share any images of inspiration with the community. These can be a photo of something seen in the neighborhood, a family project or anything with a positive message. These will be shared through the Township email updates, social media channels and on The Woodlands Township website here.
Source: The Woodlands Township
