News
The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update – July 15
The Woodlands Township shared the following COVID-19 updates on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
Township Board of Directors Meeting
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors will hold a Regular Board Meeting via videoconference on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 6 p.m. Central Daylight Time. The meeting can be viewed online at https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/778/Meeting-Videos.
During the July 16, 2020, videoconference Board meeting, members of the public may provide public comment by calling 346-248-7799 or 877-853-5247 (toll-free), then enter ID 841 7421 9602 #. Calls will be taken in the order the calls are received and only during the “public comment” agenda item. This phone number is active only for the July 16, 2020 Regular Board meeting. New phone numbers will be issued for each future meeting during the public health pandemic emergency.
County News
Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count increases by 853 in today’s report by Montgomery County Public Health
In the past few weeks, numbers of COVID-19 have been increasing beyond the capabilities of our Public Health staff, creating a backlog. In an effort to be able to handle the increased volume of contact investigations, we would like to thank Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, who has offered additional staff from the County and funds from the CARES Act to pay overtime to Public Health employees.
Starting today, instead of reporting cases after a contact investigation is launched, we will now be reporting all cases received, even before our investigation begins. When cases are first reported to Public Health, we may not have information usually gained during a contact investigation – sex or status. We will only have preliminary information we receive from individual healthcare providers on the laboratory report – age and address. Sex and status will be filled in once a contact investigation is initiated. Please note, residents are notified by their healthcare providers upon a positive result.
We appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented time as we evolve our processes to meet increased demand.
Also, we can regrettably confirm an additional death related to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 45. A woman in her 80s, from Conroe, died in the hospital. She had co-morbidities in addition to testing positive for COVID-19. We offer our condolences to her family.
The total number of COVID-19 cases increased by 853 to 4,324 cases in Montgomery County. ACTIVE cases of COVID-19 increased to 2,101. Of the 2,101 active cases who are Montgomery County residents, 44 are known to be in the hospital, as a result of contact investigations. As mentioned above, contact investigations have not been initiated on all reported cases. 2,113 people have clinically recovered.
You can view the list of case-by-case updates on the MCPHD website here: https://mcphd-tx.org/coronavirus-covid-19/confirmed-cases/. You can refer to the dashboard here: https://coronavirus-response-moco.hub.arcgis.com/.
Montgomery County Public Health
Testing in Montgomery County
A reminder, online registration is now available for COVID-19 testing through the MCPHD/MCHD voucher program. Click on “Need to be tested?” on mchd-tx.org or mcphd-tx.org and follow the instructions. Call the COVID-19 Call Center at 936-523-5040, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for more information.
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: https://tinyurl.com/tzymvk5. 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 338 confirmed positive cases with 147 active cases, and 77389 has 193 confirmed positive cases with 55 active cases.
Testing in Harris County
Get tested, it’s free! To sign up for testing, visit hcphtx.org or ReadyHarris.org or you can call 832-927-7575. View flyer for more information. Once tested, results from HCPH testing sites can take up to 5 days to process. As you wait for your results, stay home and self-isolate, especially if you are sick, practice social distancing (6 ft/2 m) and wear a face-covering. View flyer for more information on the next steps after you have been tested.
How Can You Help During the Pandemic?
As the pandemic continues, now is a great time to consider ways to support the community. Check here for tips to help support The Woodlands during this time!
Donate to Local Food Banks
Families in the local and surrounding communities are struggling as a result of job losses and business closures during the pandemic. Pick up a few additional non-perishable or canned food items when grocery shopping, consider an online monetary donation or purchase the pre-packaged food donation bags at checkout at participating grocers. Interfaith of The Woodlands and Montgomery County Food Bank are two local organizations where donations are accepted.
Find additional opportunities and places to help by searching online for food banks and food pantries in our community or by visiting the Township Community Resources page. Please note, organizations may have specific criteria regarding COVID-19 procedures for delivering donations in person or volunteering.
FDA Answers Questions About Hand Sanitizer Uses and Safety
The FDA is working to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and keep you and your family informed on the latest developments. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions from consumers about hand sanitizers and disinfectants:
Q: What is the risk of using a hand sanitizer that contains methanol (wood alcohol)?
A: The FDA is warning consumers and health care professionals about hand sanitizers that contain methanol, also known as wood alcohol, because it is a dangerous and toxic substance. Methanol can cause serious side effects when absorbed through the skin and can cause blindness or death when swallowed. Do not use any products on this list of hand sanitizers with potential methanol contamination, and continue checking this list often as it is being updated daily.
Q: What should I do with hand sanitizer that contains methanol (wood alcohol)?
A: If you have one of the products on this list of hand sanitizers with potential methanol contamination, you should immediately stop using it and dispose of the product, ideally in a hazardous waste container. Because these hand sanitizers contain significant amounts of methanol, do not pour these products down the drain or flush them. Contact your local waste management and recycling center for more information on hazardous waste disposal.
Q: What should people do that have been exposed to hand sanitizer with potential methanol contamination?
A: Methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although people using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidentally swallow these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute are most at risk. People who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate medical treatment for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.
Q: Does spraying people with disinfectant lower the spread of COVID-19?
A. Currently there are no data showing that spraying people with aerosolized disinfectants, or having people walk through tunnels or rooms where disinfectant is in the air, can treat, prevent, or lower the spread of COVID-19. Surface disinfectants should not be used on people or animals. Disinfectant products, such as sprays, wipes, or liquids, are to be used only on hard, non-porous surfaces (materials that do not absorb liquids easily), such as floors and countertops. CDC provides information regarding disinfectant practices for surfaces in the Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes.
Learn more about these and other coronavirus topics.
Township News
Township to Host Salute to First Responders Blood Drive
The Woodlands Township will host a blood drive on Thursday, July 16, 2020, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands, Texas 77381. Please consider this opportunity to express your gratitude to our first responders who continue to serve our community and receive a FREE beach towel with your successful donation! Visit the Gulf Coast website to schedule your appointment.
The Gulf Coast Blood Center will take precautions to ensure your safety and is offering FREE COVID-19 antibody testing for all successful donors. Donors will be required to wear a mask. Participants waiting outside of their vehicle will be required to follow social distance guidelines.
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.
View the complete update at https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=3148
Source: The Woodlands Township
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