Today @HoustonHealth Department reports 879 new cases of #COVID19 today, bringing Houston’s total to 18,056.
We report eight new deaths, bringing our total to 216.
Out of these 216 total deaths, 63 are associated with nursing homes and three with the Harris County Jail.
Our community’s infection rate is three times higher today than it was three months ago.
I support the governor's decision to close bars and reduce restaurant capacity and limit outdoor gatherings to 100.
I want to thank the #LGBTQ community to changing this weekend's in-person rally to a virtual rally for #PRIDE2020.
I am asking that all Houstonians wear a mask or facial covering when in public and ensure a physical distance of at least six feet between themselves and other individuals. #slowthespread
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Unless the governor is trying to deflect from the embarrassing failure of the electrical grid, his decision to open the state 100% and revoke the mask mandate does not make sense.
This is the third time the governor has stepped in when things are going in the right direction.
🚨 If you're going to any city properties or venues, like the public libraries, you will be required to wear a mask. 🚨
🚨 The Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund has raised $6.5M. Thank you to all of the generous donors.
Today, the Fund is announcing that it will invest $1.65M in emergency grants to support vulnerable families and individuals in critical need of home repairs. 🚨
Given the urgency for assistance, the fund's grants committee quickly approved this initial round of grants less than a week after the fund was launched to help the most vulnerable in our community who are traditionally underserved with emergency repairs.
Those impacted by the storm and needing help can text HoustonFreeze or HoustonAyuda to 898211. You will be texted back with eligibility and application guidelines.
I want to acknowledge that one year ago, the city of Houston and the surrounding communities dusty began to confront the realities of the #COVID19 pandemic. It started with the cancellation of CERAWeek and several days later, confirmation of positive cases.
One positive sign is today's positivity rate of 11.8%.
But we are announcing 914 newly reported cases and 7 new deaths.
Free testing is still available at any of the city affiliated testing sites which you can find at houstonemergency.org
🚨 Tomorrow, @HoustonHealth will receive its first delivery of the FDA-approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine. An estimated 6,000 doses. We will also receive another 9,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. 🚨
Today, the @HoustonHealth
Department is operating its first drive-thru vaccination clinic in partnership with @HoustonUmmc.
This site will provide 1,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine this week to people with appointments only.
UMMC has been a leader in providing #COVID19 testing and caring for patients with the virus. I thank them for working with the City of Houston to open the drive-thru vaccination site, making it more convenient for people with mobility issues and providing the vaccine services.
Health Dept received an additional 9,000 doses of the vaccine last Friday. In addition to scheduling 1,600 people for this location, the dept will transfer 800 doses to other providers and fulfill exiting appointments at Bayou City Event Center, its health & multi-service centers
Today, @HoustonHealth reports 1,586 new cases of #COVID19, bringing Houston's total to 124,712.
There are also four newly reported deaths, bringing the city's total to 1,580.
And today, we are learning about the confirmed case of the new #COVID19 variant B1-17 in Harris County.
I want to stress there are no confirmed cases in the city of Houston. But we don't want to assume that we won't see cases with this "British" variant in Houston.
We are continuing to work on opening a super site for #COVID19 vaccinations. The @HoustonHealth Dept. is working feverishly on logistics, staffing and a traffic and parking plan. *The vaccine supply is the only thing we do not control. *
The last 24 hours have been a rollercoaster of unbelievable emotions as our country witnessed a shocking attack on our democracy as people rioted and committed acts of violence inside the nation's capitol.
Like most Americans, I am relieved that the House and Senate did its job to ratify President-elect @JoeBiden's electoral college win. He and Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris will be sworn in to office in less than two weeks.
But I am stunned and disappointed by the blatant disrespect exhibited by the president's supporters who acted in a direct attempt to prevent the peaceful transition of power.