Here are some of the major coronavirus updates 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 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.
MAP: 198 places to find food for delivery, takeout in Cy-Fair
Residents of the Cy-Fair area can select from one of hundreds of restaurants available for pickup and delivery 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.
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.
Local birth centers, midwife services see increase in interest from expectant mothers
Birthing centers in Spring, Klein and Cy-Fair are seeing an increase in demand as pregnant women seek to avoid the perceived risks and increased restrictions at hospitals.
Area primary care physicians adapt, struggle during pandemic
The owner of Step Pedriatrics in The Woodlands said he has had to shift his operations to keep his office running despite losing about half of his patients.
Adriana Rezal, Emma Whalen, Danica Smithwick, Daniel Houston, Ian Pribanic, Hannah Zedaker and Andrew Christman contributed to this report.
