When the move was announced, it was no surprise. It was expected after President Trump extended social distancing guidelines through April. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo followed that with the announcement yesterday that stay at home orders locally would be extended through that same April 30th date.
"All of this is an unprecedented situation. The steps we are taking are the best way to keep the community safe," Hidalgo said.
Montgomery County extended its order has been extended as well. No extension in Fort Bend yet, as County Judge KP George is looking for feedback in an online survey before making a decision.
The Houston area now has 1,267 cases. The city has 377 cases. Harris County with 303. 13 people have died in the area including four in the city. In Texas there are over 3,900 reported cases with 57 people passing away.
Elsewhere:
- Governor Gregg Abbott has closed all schools until May 4th.
- The Texas Medical Association is joining the Texas Nurses Association in a call for a statewide lockdown.
- Price gouging is a problem, with more 4-thousand complaints being filed in Texas during the pandemic. These include $7 milk, $14 ground beef and $30 water.
- The number of unemployment claims in the state could surpass all the claims submitted in Texas last year. That could happen in a matter of weeks according to the Texas Workforce Commission. The state is getting about 30,000 filings per day.