![]() Hidalgo added that they will continue to watch positivity rates and could extend the orders beyond that date.HOUSTON – People in the Houston area had plenty to say after hearing a member of President-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board talk about the prospect of a four to six-week lockdown. UPDATE: In a press conference on July 24, Harris County Judge Hidalgo, along with Houston Mayor Turner, announced new orders that prohibit in-person instruction for public and non-religious private schools in the county at least until September 8. Statewide, there have been 4,521 coronavirus deaths, indicating a death rate of 1.25%. On the southern border with Mexico, Hidalgo County has become a new coronavirus hotspot and reports more than 400 deaths out of a population estimated at 881,171, while Harris County reports a total of 596 deaths with a population of 4.8 million. The Center For Disease Control has recommended reopening schools with precautionary measures as the best long-term strategy for students and communities as a whole. Early analysis from these re-opened schools indicates that students, especially younger students, may be significantly less prone to contracting or even passing coronavirus to adults. ![]() Schools elsewhere in the world, including Europe and Canada, began reopening as early as April under modified conditions. Houston ISD and other area school districts have already announced plans to remain online-only for the first six weeks of the 2020-21 school year. Umair Shah sent a letter urging public school superintendents to block any in person instruction for K-12 students until October. Earlier this week Hidalgo and Executive Director of Harris County Public Health Dr. In addition to calling for an economic lockdown, Harris County Judge Hidalgo says she wants schools to remain closed. Governor Abbott has also noted the levelling off trends in most of the state, and earlier this week said that economic lock down would not be needed “as long as masks and other distancing strategies are used.” While fighting coronavirus, the local economy continues to struggle, and according to the Texas Workforce Commission, Harris County unemployment claims are the highest in the state and continue to soar with 18,974 new claims reported for the week of July 11. Harris County reports 61,416 confirmed cases out of a population of 4.8 million. While Houston’s Texas Medical Center reported a slight uptick in coronavirus ICU patients on July 23, basic COVID admissions fell in the city. “We can fight COVID and keep our Texas economy open. ![]() In a joint press release with Bettencourt, Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) added that the data shows efforts to contain the virus without a complete lockdown are effective and best for the community. Noting that the most recent reports reflect a decline in hospitalizations following the July 5 peak, State Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) said, “This great news shows we can continue to keep the Texas Economy open and fight the virus at the same time.” ![]() In response, state senators from the Houston-Harris County region have pushed back, pointing to evidence that area cases are levelling off and may be in a post-peak decline. ![]()
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