News

The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update – January 26

By The Woodlands Township | January 26, 2021

The Woodlands Township shared the following COVID-19 Update on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.

The Woodlands Township to Hold Board of Directors Meeting Electronically

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors will hold a Regular Board Meeting via videoconference tomorrow, Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at 6 p.m. View the release, including links to the agenda and information on public comment. The Board is expected to discuss the latest information related to COVID-19. Watch live at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/meetingvideos.

VACCINE NEWS

Vaccine Appointments
Vaccine appointments can be made this evening, beginning at 6 p.m., made possible through Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Lone Star Family Health Center. Visit www.lonestarvaccine.com to secure a vaccine appointment for tomorrow, Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Appointments are expected to fill quickly. After clicking “Get Started” on the home page, you’ll be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility. If eligible, you’ll be directed to an “Eventbrite” page and prompted to select an appointment time. NO promo code is needed. Please read complete information, including other opportunities to sign up for vaccinations.

St. Luke’s Health—The Woodlands Hospital Designated as COVID-19 Vaccination Site
St. Luke’s Health—The Woodlands Hospital is coordinating closely with Montgomery County officials to ensure effective vaccine distribution in our community and is participating in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines according to the state guidelines for distribution. As a large designated vaccination site, St. Luke’s Health—The Woodlands Hospital will focus on vaccinating high-risk individuals and members of our community who meet the state criteria.

St. Luke’s—The Woodlands Hospital vaccine hub will be fully operational by Wednesday, January 27, 2021, and will remain in operation for as long as it continues to receive a steady supply of the vaccine. Vaccines are allocated by the state on a weekly basis and will be given until exhausted.

St. Luke’s Health—The Woodlands Hospital expects to receive 1,950 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week as part of the Week 7 allocation of the vaccine. They are prioritizing eligible individuals on their waiting list and are contacting them to schedule their first dose this week.

Those interested in receiving the vaccine are asked to complete an interest form online to be placed on their waiting list for future vaccine allocations. Vaccine supply remains limited. They will continue to expand their vaccination capacity as more supply of the vaccine is available.

Personnel from Montgomery County Hospital District EMS and local responders, including The Woodlands Fire Department, will be on site to assist in administering vaccines and to provide operational support throughout the vaccine distribution efforts. They appreciate their partnership in getting these vaccines to the population who needs them the most at this time.

Four Things to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine
The Texas Department of State Health provides important information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Read the full article.

Safety is a top priority and the COVID-19 vaccine has been evaluated in tens of thousands of volunteers during clinical trials.
The vaccines are highly effective and will most likely require two doses for full protection.
You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine as it does not use the live virus.
Texas is already distributing the vaccine and will continue as more becomes available.

For more information on how the COVID-19 vaccine works, watch the video from Chief State Epidemiologist, Jennifer Shuford, MD.

Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
Messenger RNA vaccines—also called mRNA vaccines—are some of the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for cells to make a harmless piece of the so-called “spike protein”, which the virus uses to enter cells in the body. After the protein piece is made, the cell breaks down the instructions and gets rid of them. The immune system recognizes that the protein doesn’t belong there and begins making antibodies to protect against future infection. People who get vaccinated gain this protection without having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19. Read the full article from the CDC.

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.

New COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Air Passengers Arriving in the U.S.
If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States. You will need to show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery. This can be proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel. Read the full article from the CDC for additional information.

COUNTY NEWS

Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count January 26, 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.

Today, they can confirm an additional death related to COVID-19.

A man in his 70s, from Conroe, died in the hospital. He had co-morbidities in addition to testing positive for COVID-19.

They can also confirm:

TOTAL cases of COVID-19 increased by 1,731 to 38,075 since yesterday’s (1/25) report. Of the 1,731 new cases, 239 were tested since 1/14/2021. 44 were tested since 11/1/2020. The remainder accounts for a backlog of older cases dating from 3/21/2020 – 10/31/2020.
ACTIVE cases of COVID-19 decreased by 850 to 6,668 since yesterday’s (1/25) report. On Tuesdays and Fridays, they account for additional “inactive” cases who they have been unable to contact for more than 30 days. Today, they added 2,376 inactive cases.
79 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.
17,967 people have clinically recovered.

The Testing Positivity Rate for Montgomery County is 21%. 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 3,300 confirmed positive cases with 644 active cases, and 77389 has 1,810 confirmed positive cases with 332 active cases.

COVID-19 Case Count Brief from The Woodlands Fire Department
All numbers since January 21, 2021

Montgomery County

38,075 – Confirmed +2,904
6,668 – Active -1,184
206 – Deaths +5
17,967 – Recovered +668
79 – Hospitalized -3

Harris County

154,242 – Confirmed +5,298
26,875 – Active Cases -749
1,159 – Deaths +15
126,191 – Recovered +6,032

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.

NATIONAL NEWS

National Strategy for COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness
Read the new National Strategy, released January 21, 2021. Some of the goals for the strategy include:

Mounting a safe, effective, and comprehensive vaccination campaign.
Mitigating spread through expanding masking, testing, data, treatments, health care workforce, and clear public health standards.
Immediately expanding emergency relief and exercising the Defense Production Act.
Safely reopening schools, businesses, and travel while protecting workers.

RESOURCES

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.

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

The Woodlands Township COVID-19 eNewsletter
The Woodlands Township COVID-19 (Coronavirus) informational enewsletter is published every Tuesday and Thursday and as needed. Manage your notifications and subscriptions.

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