Here are the latest developments in the Coronavirus outbreak in Houston as of 4am this morning.
- The area now has 39 cases; the city itself has five. There were three new cases were reported in Harris Countyyesterday, bringing the total there to 11. Brazos County reported its first case yesterday as well.
- The second death in the state because of COVID-19 was in Arlington; a 77 year old man who died on Sunday.
- The Galveston-Houston Catholic Archdiocese has suspended mass effective today. Churches are being allowed to stay open for individual and private prayer.
- The city and Harris County is still hoping to get dirve through testing up and running later this week.You will need a doctor's note for that. But one private clinic in Southwest Houston, My Family Doctor on Hillcroft, started their own drive through testing this week. However,, you need to meet certain qualifications to get tested there.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated the National Guard to help with the coronavirus response effort.
- Fort Bend and Gelveston Counties order all restaurants to end dining in services. That came after Harris County made a similar decision Monday.
- Texas Senator Ted Cruz has ended his self quarantine after having possibly been exposed to the disease a couple of weeks ago at the CPAC conference.
- Senator John Cornyn, citing concerns over COVID-19, has called off campaign events for now. So have Royce West and MJ Hegar, the two Democrats in the May 26th runoff.
- And to help the staff of Irma's Southwest Inn, one customer left a hefty tip; $9400. The staff will divide that evenly and get about $300 each.