Here is an overview of current coronavirus spread and vaccination trends in Galveston County. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
DATA: 4 in every 10 Galveston County adults fully vaccinated against COVID-19
The number of daily new COVID-19 cases and the testing positivity rate are both on the rise in Harris County, but the number of patients with COVID-19 in county hospitals has fallen over that same time, according to data from local health care entities. (Community Impact staff)
Harris County coronavirus count: Daily new cases rise as hospitalizations fall
Photo of a gloved hand holding a vaccine vial
Texas providers authorized to resume use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The average coronavirus testing positivity rate is on a slow incline in Harris County after falling for most of the year and hitting a plateau around mid-March, according to the latest data from the Harris County Public Health Department. (Community Impact Newspaper staff)
Harris County coronavirus count: Testing positivity inches up; hospitalizations largely unchanged
As part of President Joe Biden’s plan to reopen schools safely nationwide, the department’s National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option is being expanded beyond the summertime. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
USDA extends free school meals provision through 2021-22 school year
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks at an April 19 press conference at a mass-vaccination site at NRG Park. (Screenshot courtesy Facebook Live).
Harris County accepting walk-ins for vaccine at NRG Park
Vaccinations at any of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic's 26 Greater Houston-area locations are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment only at no cost to the individual or family. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Houston-based Kelsey-Seybold Clinic expands vaccine eligibility to age 16 and older
The program, which began this week in San Marcos, gives Amazon and Whole Foods employees and contractors direct access to COVID-19 vaccinations. (Courtesy Amazon)
Amazon begins rollout of statewide vaccination clinics for employees
Harris County remains at the severe threat level on its coronavirus threat meter as major indicators of viral spread—including the testing positivity rate and occupancy in intensive care units—have stalled above thresholds that would prompt the county to lower the threat level. (Community Impact staff)
Harris County coronavirus count: Major indicators remain stalled for another week
Federal funding is set aside for public schools to address effects of the pandemic. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Why Texas has not yet distributed $18 billion in federal funds intended for public schools
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended health providers pause distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine April 13. (Olivia Aldridge/Community Impact Newspaper)
State, federal health authorities recommend pause of Johnson & Johnson vaccine after 6 rare, severe blood clots
After several weeks of declines across the main metrics by which the COVID-19 pandemic is being measured—including daily new case counts, hospitalizations and the testing positivity rate—trend lines were largely flat in the first week of April. (Community Impact staff)
Harris County coronavirus count: Trend lines stay flat through first week of April
The city of Pearland will stop administering the vaccine as of April 16 as the vaccine becomes more available through private entities, Pearland Communication Director Josh Lee said. (Courtesy Adobe Stock/Graphic by Justin Howell/Community Impact Newspaper)
As vaccine sites become prevalent, administration by city of Pearland to end
Less than 25% of American office workers have returned to in-person office settings since the start of the pandemic. (Courtesy Pixabay)
DATA: Texas metros lead the nation in return to in-person work since start of pandemic
In order to move to Level 2 on the threat level system, Hidalgo said the county would need to get down to an average of 400 new COVID-19 cases reported daily, a positivity rate of 5% and an ICU population of 15%. (Screenshot via Facebook Live)
'We're close' Hidalgo says of possibility for Harris County to lower COVID-19 threat level
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order April 5 banning governments from issuing "vaccine passport" mandates that would require residents to show proof of vaccination in order to enter a public place or receive services. (Jack Flagler/Community Impact Newspaper)
New order from Gov. Greg Abbott bans government-mandated 'vaccine passports' in Texas
The temporary waiver covering initial vehicle registration, vehicle registration renewal, vehicle titling, renewal of permanent disabled parking placards and 30-day temporary permits will end April 14. (Hannah Zedaker/Community Impact Newspaper)
Officials: No grace period to follow end of statewide waiver for vehicle title, registration requirements
An ongoing drop in daily new-case counts of COVID-19 in Harris County in the first half of March slowed down in the second half of the month, according to the latest data from the Harris County Public Health Department. However, COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have continued to fall. (Community Impact staff)
Harris County coronavirus count: Drop in daily cases hits plateau as hospitalizations keep falling
The new tool will give Texans one place to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine through multiple health departments, including the eight DSHS public health regions—which provides public health services to nearly 200 Texas counties—as well as more than a dozen local health entities statewide. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Department of State Health Services launches Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler