Here are the latest developments in the COVID-19 outbreak in and around Houston.
After reporting 33 cases of the disease, Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta has issued a stay at home order that goes into effect tonight at 6 o'clock. The number of cases in the Houston area is now at 372; 119 of those in Harris County, and 66 in the city of Houston. Texas has more than 1,300 cases, with 17 people having passed away from the disease.
While Brazoria County goes under that order, Montgomery County will have tougher business restrictions going into effect this morning at 8. There is not stay at home order issued yet.
There also is no stay at home order in Waller County. That county is enforcing social distancing, but County Judge Trey Duhon says he backed off the expected stay at home order because President Trump's comments about the country needing to get back to work earlier this week.
Elsewhere:
- According to research from UT Health, as long as we follow social distancing and stay at home orders, we could be at the end of this pandemic by the middle of May.
- HISD announced that it is canceling food distribution for Thursday and Friday as a precaution.
- Fort Bend County announced it is opening the first testing center in the county today. You must meet criteria that includes having symptoms and being over 65.
- The Texas Workforce Commission says 800-thousand Texans have been either trying to file for or collect unemployment because of the pandemic.
- And 750,000 medical masks are sitting in a Houston warehouse because to price-gouging allegations. They were up for auction until a stop was placed on their distribution.