The number of COVID-19 cases in Houston is now up to 166 as of early Monday morning. That includes 51 cases in Harris County. The city of Houston itself has 23 cases. Seven people have recovered so far from getting the disease.
With the number of positives rising, there are calls for Texas Governor Greg Abbott to issue a statewide shelter in place order, as other states have done. But he did encourage local officials to do so. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins was the first to do that, and thinks a similar decision is coming to Harris County. Jenkins said that he had spoken with County Judge Lina Hidalgo and that Harris County is “committed to doing the same." He said he expects the action to happen “very soon.”
Elsewhere:
- Eight HFD firefighters are under quarantine for possible exposure. Two of the eight were possibly exposed to the virus while responding to a medical call.
- A curfew is in place in Walker County from 11:59 p.m. until 5 a.m. That County reporting its first case of COVID-19 over the weekend.
- The Houston blood bank is asking for donations to maintain their supply during this outbreak. Lakewood Church will host an “Emergency Blood Drive” this week from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Houston native and 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson is asking for the postponement of the summer Olympics in Japan. USA Track and Field has done the same thing. The International Olympic Committee is considering the request.