Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties reported a total of 405 confirmed positive coronavirus cases in seven Katy-area ZIP codes April 20. The counties are not providing the total number of public and private tests administered by the ZIP code level.
Katy ISD
The district announced many of Katy ISD’s outdoor facilities reopened April 20 in line with the governor’s plan for reopening the economy.
The Harris County drive-thru testing site at Katy ISD’s legacy stadium temporarily closed April 19 but reopened April 20, Harris County Public Health confirmed in an email.
And in case you missed it: The district announced students will not return to campuses for the 2019-20 school year.
Harris County
The Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office will hand out free COVID-19 kits to residents April 21 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at two locations: Katy Park at 24927 Morton Road, Katy (enter at Morton Road); and Bear Creek Park’s Pavilion 6 off of Bear Creek Drive, Houston (enter at Clay Road).
Harris County set up one of its two mobile drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites at the George Bush Park in the Katy area, according to an April 17 Facebook post by Ted Heap, Harris County Constable Precinct 5. HCPH stated in an email that the mobile testing sites stay in a location for three days before moving to another precinct.
The weekly mobile testing schedule is as follows: Two out of the four Harris County precincts have a mobile testing site 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, then the other two precincts have a mobile testing site 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. HCPH said testing sites do not necessarily return to the same location week over week.
State Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, was named coronavirus "recovery czar" by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. He has been tasked with ensuring recovery and relief efforts in Harris County are inclusive, fast and coordinated and that the county brings in as many federal funds as possible to help fund programs.
Also, check out this story about advocates and lawyers calling on Harris County to release a portion of youth in juvenile detention.
Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County now has a program in place to coordinate donations of personal protection equipment, which helps stop the spread of the coronavirus, according to a press release. These items include N95-rated masks, face shields, disposable surgical masks, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, disposable gowns and generic medical supplies.
To donate, individuals or organizations should email [email protected] to coordinate the logistics to drop off the items, which will be distributed to hospitals, health care facilities, first responders, public offices and some volunteer organizations.
Additionally, County Judge KP George issued a brief update about the higher-than-expected rise in appraised property values.
According to an emailed letter to taxpayers, George has proposed a resolution asking for relief by state officials. The Commissioners Court will vote whether to adopt the resolution on April 21.
George also said in the letter he will work to keep the county’s tax rate low.
State
State parks and historical sites reopened April 20 as the first step in Gov. Greg Abbott's plan to revive Texas economy.
