Township Update: What Governor’s Order means for The Woodlands

The Woodlands Township shared the following COVID-19 updates on Monday, April 27, 2020.

Watch a video as Township Chairman Gordy Bunch explains what the Governor’s new Order means for The Woodlands.

Texas Governor Abbott Announces Reopening Plan for Texas Businesses
Highlights are below from Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s press conference on Monday, April 27 that outlined the next steps for reopening Texas.

Intro:

• Infection rate has continued to decline for past 17 days.
• Hospitalizations remain steady, and hospital capacity is abundant.
• Texas is the third highest state in recoveries.

Unemployment Update:

• More than tripled employees at the Texas Workforce Commission.
• More than 1.9 million Texans have filed for unemployment. More than 1.6 million claims have been processed with payments over $2 billion.

Stay-at-Home Order:

• Governor will let current stay-at-home order expire as scheduled on April 30, 2020.
• New order will reopen Texas in phases.

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Phase I Reopening (May 1, 2020):

• Begins May 1, 2020. May be able to enter Phase Two on May 18, 2020 with appropriate constraint of COVID-19.
• Vulnerable population — vulnerable populations should continue to stay at home
  • 65+ population accounts for 20% of positive cases and 70% of deaths.
• Businesses — all retail, malls, restaurants and movie theaters may open with 25% occupancy limits. The retail order supersedes any local order regarding retail.
• Museums, Libraries — may open with 25% occupancy. Hands-on exhibits must remain closed. State museums will work to reopen May 1 or soon thereafter.
• Sole Proprietors — may return to work at this time.
• Churches, Houses of Worship — already permitted to operate and new guidelines allow additional capacity
• Outdoor sports — permissible with fewer than 4 players (e.g. golf, tennis). Additional expansion will come with Phase II.
• Doctors, Dentists, Etc. — All licensed practitioners may return to work. Hospitals must reserve 15% for COVID patients.
• Essential Services continue to operate as have been operating.

Businesses Still Not Able to Open:

• Salons, barbershops, bars and gyms
• Summer camps — still looking for safe way to be able to open as quickly as possible.

Read more about Governor Abbott’s Report on reopening Texas and new orders as of April 27 here.

Township Board Stresses Importance of Continued Face Covering
The Township Board of Directors strongly recommends covering your face when out in public, especially when you will be around other people.

According to the CDC, guidelines for continued face coverings are critical to reducing the spread of COVID-19, and residents should keep the following in mind at all times, even as Texas and The Woodlands begin to re-open:

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• 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.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
• 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 Bunch said. “We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves and a responsibility to take care of those around us.”

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. 

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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 10^th death related to COVID-19 in Montgomery County. He was a man in his 80s, who was a resident of The Woodlands. We offer our condolences to his family.

We can also confirm there are now 379 ACTIVE cases of COVID-19. That number includes 38 hospitalizations. 141 people have fully recovered. The number of total positive cases has increased 24 since Saturday. Please note, there have been changes to the format of the graphic below.

The statewide stay-at-home order remains in effect for Texas until April 30^th. Governor Greg Abbott confirmed today that it will expire on that date. 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 27, 2020 (4 p.m.), Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has 2,469 positive cases (1,128 active cases). HCPH is also confirming that 1,289 of its patients have recovered. There have been 52 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 31 cases.

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.

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Last Chance to Donate to Help Our Heroes
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors launched the Help Our Heroes campaign 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.

Additionally, as of April 23, 2020, Help Our Heroes has expanded to help our heroes personally as well as professionally. Many times, because of shift work, first responders and healthcare professionals cannot get to the store to buy supplies for their homes and families. The Woodlands Township has incorporated a program called “Adopt a Healthcare Worker” program to provide those supplies.

Donations will be accepted Thursday, April 30, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Woodlands Fire Department Central Fire Station, 9951 Grogan’s Mill Road, 77380. This program ends on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Please visit https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/1489/HELP-OUR-HEROES for more information.

Simple Recycling Has Resumed Service Effective Monday, April 27
Residents who have orange bags filled with textiles, toys, books, and small household items can place their bags at the curb on their normal service day. For more information on this program or to request orange bags, visit www.simplerecycling.com or read this recent article from The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department on the Environmental Services blog.

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.

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.

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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:

1. Donation to support our mission of being a central hub for mental health resources for our community
2. 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)
3. 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
   • Share our website with your friends and contacts
   • Share our social media posts
   • Share our podcasts
4. Donate a mosaic heart to be sent to someone in the community that is struggling (Done through the donate page of our website)
5. 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.

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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.

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.

Source: The Woodlands Township

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