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Here are some of the major coronavirus updates South Houston readers should know about from the past week.
Gov. Greg Abbott announces plan to reopen Texas economy, creation of business strike force
Texas is the first state with set dates to lift certain COVID-19 restrictions as of April 17 when Gov. Greg Abbott announced three executive orders to restore more jobs while keeping Texans safe.
Here’s what to expect when getting tested for COVID-19 in the Houston area
The Houston Health Department is now conducting 1,000 coronavirus tests per day at sites throughout the region. Antibody testing, which can detect if a person has been previously infected with the coronavirus, is also being offered at a private clinic.
Houston ISD will distribute food for up to 3,000 families at NRG Stadium parking lot Saturday
Houston ISD families who have not been able to attend food distribution on weekdays will have the opportunity to pick up food at NRG Stadium from 4-7 p.m. April 18.
Houston kicks off ‘Take Us to Your Table’ restaurant support campaign
Boosted by a $100,000 donation from ExxonMobil, the city of Houston’s campaign urges residents to support local restaurants by placing takeout orders.
Texas now dispersing $600 weekly unemployment payments from federal stimulus, agency says
Texans who have filed for unemployment benefits due to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus began receiving an additional $600 from the Texas Workforce Commission this week thanks to the federal government’s economic stimulus package.
Here’s a breakdown of 4 financial relief programs aimed to save small Texas businesses
Representatives from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office hosted a webinar April 15 to explain the four different loan programs being offered to small-business owners.
In response to the coronavirus disrupting its operations, the U.S. Census Bureau pushed back its entire timeline for conducting and submitting its population count. This delay could have repercussions for the Texas Legislature, scheduled to convene Jan. 12.
Patrick Jankowski ups Houston-area job loss projections to 250,000 in March, April
Regional economist Patrick Jankowski increased his estimate for total job losses in the Houston area from 150,000 through the end of the year to 250,000 for March and April alone.
HELP WANTED: These companies are currently hiring in the Greater Houston area
Workers in the Houston area who have been furloughed or laid off amid the economic fallout of the coronavirus can check this list for companies still hiring.
UTHealth, Memorial Hermann seeking COVID-19 survivors for plasma transfusion study
Physicians from two health care systems are seeking residents who have recovered from the coronavirus and are willing to donate plasma to use as a potential treatment for critically ill patients.
Adriana Rezal, Matt Dulin, Emma Whalen, Daniel Houston, Ian Pribanic, Ali Linan, Danica Smithwick, Hannah Zedaker and Hunter Marrow contributed to this report.
