Here is the latest on the COVID-19 outbreak in the Houston area as of Friday morning.
- The number of cases of COVID-19 has risen, as expected in the Houston area.
- The Houston area we now have 79 cases; 11 of those in the city alone.
- In Texas s there are 307 cases with five dead including the first confirmed death in Harris county. That was a nursing home patient between the ages of 80 and 90.
- The city is opening up its first drive through testing location today at Butler Stadium. Other non-city run sites started testing yesterday.
- The Port of Houston says Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals will fully reopen today after a worker tested positive on Wednesday.
- Nearly 200 thousand Texans filed for unemployment last week.
- Galveston beach parks are closed until further notice.
- Among the events cancelled because of the outbreak include:
- - Lone Star College graduation ceremonies May 6-9.
- - The Texas Southern University commencement.
- - The Galveston County Fair and Rodeo next month.
- NASA has suspended production and testing of its moon rocket and spacecraft hardware.
- And Grateful Dane Distilling, which makes rum in Bellaire, will be giving away two bottles of hand sanitizer that they are making for every bottle of rum you buy . You can also buy the hand sanitizer separately.