News

The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update – January 19

By The Woodlands Township | January 19, 2021

The Woodlands Township shared the following COVID-19 Update on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

VACCINE NEWS

Governor Abbott Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Governor Greg Abbott today held a roundtable discussion alongside healthcare professionals at Houston Methodist Hospital to highlight his legislative priorities to ensure a healthier future for the state of Texas. Following the roundtable, the Governor provided an update on the State’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts. During the roundtable, the Governor and staff members from Houston Methodist Hospital discussed strategies to build a healthier Texas during and after the pandemic. They also discussed plans to ensure the ongoing availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), expand telehealth communications, and meet the mental health needs of fellow Texans. Read the full press release.

COVID-19 Vaccination Update for Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in partnership with The Lone Star Family Health Center, announced a COVID-19 drive-thru mass vaccination site at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds located at 9333 Airport Road in Conroe, Texas. This vaccination site is possible by the Department of State Health Services allocating 2,000 doses to Lone Star Family Health Center this week. The site was announced to be open Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 9 a.m. and run through Friday, January 22, until all available vaccine doses have been administered. As of the release of this e-letter, all time slots appeared to have been filled. Read the full press release.

COVID-19 Texas Vaccination Data Dashboard
A dashboard is available through the Texas Department of State Health Services showing COVID-19 vaccination data in Texas. The dashboard has many aspects of important information in sum and by county for variables including vaccine distribution, type of organizations receiving the distributions, doses administered and people vaccinated. View the dashboard.

Beware of Scams Related to the Vaccine
Read the full article for what you need to know to avoid a vaccine-related scam. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a new website, ReportFraud.ftc.gov, where consumers can easily report fraud and all other consumer issues directly to the FTC.

Be Sure to Get Your Flu Vaccine
While the United States remains focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to be aware of flu season with activity peaking between December and February. Getting vaccinated now can lower your chances of getting the flu. Flu vaccines approved by the FDA provide important benefits and are your best defense from flu and its potential complications. Learn more from the FDA.

COVID-19 TESTING

Curative Testing at the Township
Testing is taking place at The Woodlands Township Town Hall, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands, Texas 77381, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Customers are asked to submit their insurance information. Testing is offered at no cost to the customer. Customers without insurance will still be tested at no personal cost using coverage from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. Walk-ups are welcome.

A second testing site in The Woodlands is located at Sterling Ridge Park and Ride, 8001 McBeth Way. The site is open through January 31, 2021. It is a “self-serve” drive-thru operation with hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

For more information about COVID-19 testing by Curative, please visit the Township website, or www.curative.com.

Please note the FDA issued a warning regarding false test results from Curative.

HOSPITAL NEWS

View Hospital Use Through SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC)
SETRAC is a powerful coalition of providers, responders and other healthcare related partners united together to save lives and improve health outcomes through research, education and collaboration. You can find more information and view hospital use related to COVID-19 on their website, setrac.org.

Did you know?

Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD)
MCHD is a political subdivision of the State of Texas. MCHD was established through special legislation in 1977 to provide healthcare to the indigent residents of Montgomery County. In addition to its legislation charge to provide indigent care through its Health Care Assistance Program (HCAP), MCHD operates the county’s 911 ambulance service, manages the county’s Public Health District and offers a variety of community and professional education programs. Learn more at www.mchd-tx.org.

COUNTY NEWS

Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count January 19, 2021
Montgomery County is recommending all residents recommit to CDC guidelines to reduce the risk of #COVID19.

Avoid groups of people.
Practice social distancing.
Wear a mask in public (over your nose and mouth) or with others who live outside your household. Never share a mask with others.
Teach children proper hygiene and the correct way to wear a mask.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
Disinfect surfaces in your car and around your home.
As supply and eligibility increases, consider getting vaccinated.

For information and to check availability of vaccines, please visit the new Vaccination Page on the Coronavirus Hub for Montgomery County here: https://coronavirus-response-moco.hub.arcgis.com/pages/vaccinations

Today, Montgomery County can confirm:

TOTAL cases of COVID-19 increased by 1,417 to 34,423 since Friday’s (1/15) report. Of the 1,417 new cases, 1,415 were tested since 1/7/2021.
ACTIVE cases of COVID-19 decreased by 1,549 to 7,402 since Friday’s (1/15) report. Due to the large volume of cases accrued over the past 60 days, we will now account for additional “inactive” cases on both Tuesdays and Fridays. Today, we are adding 2,440 additional inactive cases, who are residents we have been unable to contact for 30 days or more.
77 county residents are known, as a result of contact investigations, to be in the hospital. Contact investigations have not been initiated on all reported cases.
17,007 people have clinically recovered.

The Testing Positivity Rate for Montgomery County is 21%, down from 22%. This number is updated weekly on Wednesdays.
Source: UT Health, School of Public Health

You can view the case-by-case updates on the MCPHD website. You can also refer to the dashboard.

Do you have questions regarding COVID-19, COVID-19 testing or vaccines? The Montgomery County COVID-19 Call Center’s number is 936-523-3916. It is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) publishes their daily case count, combined with the City of Houston’s daily case count, here. Cases by zip code in Harris County can be found 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 3,136 confirmed positive cases with 724 active cases, and 77389 has 1,733 confirmed positive cases with 374 active cases.

COVID-19 Case Count Brief from The Woodlands Fire Department
All numbers since January 14, 2021

Montgomery County

34,423 – Confirmed +1,848
7,402 – Active -3,372
195 – Deaths +1
17,007 – Recovered +985
77 – Hospitalized -2

Harris County

145,989 – Confirmed +6,559
26,923 – Active Cases +1,522
1,128 – Deaths +9
117,921 – Recovered +5,028

Montgomery County Testing
Do you have questions regarding COVID-19 or COVID-19 testing? The Montgomery County COVID-19 Call Center’s number is 936-523-3916. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Harris County Testing
Residents may also sign up for free COVID-19 testing online at hcphtx.org. Call 832-927-7575 for more information.

RESOURCES

FTC Warns of New COVID Scam: Small Business Owners
There’s a new coronavirus-related scam making the rounds, but this time the crooks are targeting small businesses. It starts with an email that claims to come from the “Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance.” It says you’re eligible for a loan of up to $250,000 and asks for personal information like birth date and Social Security number. Read the full article.

The Woodlands Family YMCAs to Host Blood Donor Coach
January is the beginning of a new year and the perfect time to start the year celebrating National Blood Donor Month. Due to increased seasonal illnesses during the winter months and inclement weather conditions, donations of blood and platelets decline and demand increases.

Shadowbend YMCA, 6145 Shadowbend Place, The Woodlands, TX 77381
Friday, January 29, 2021 | 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Schedule Your Appointment Here

CDC COVID Data Tracker
The CDC provides updated national information online daily. CDC’s COVID Data Tracker has a County View to help make decisions about everyday activities.

Keep Up with Best Practices During the Pandemic at CDC.GOV
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CAC Hosts Free Market for Groceries
Community Assistance Center and the Montgomery County Food Bank will host a free market on Saturday, January 23, 2021, at 8 a.m., at 1022 McCall Ave, Conroe, TX 77301. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and free groceries will be available while supplies last. For more information, please visit www.cac-mctx.org.

Township’s Coronavirus Page
The Woodlands Township’s COVID-19 page can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page features Montgomery and Harris county hubs, community resources and news from the Federal Government and the CDC. It also includes the latest news from the Township, partner agencies, important links, FAQs, live Twitter feeds and more.

Source: The Woodlands Township