Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties reported a total of 500 confirmed coronavirus cases April 27 in seven Katy-area ZIP codes. This is 95 more cases than April 20, when all three of Katy's counties began providing the total number of cases by ZIP code.
The counties are not providing the total number of public and private tests administered by ZIP code.
Katy ISD
The Katy ISD board of trustees meets at 5:30 p.m. April 27 for a regular meeting. An agenda item related to COVID-19 includes granting approval for the superintendent to submit a waiver for educator appraisal requirements due to the coronavirus pandemic. A story is forthcoming.
Katy City Council
Katy City Council met at 4 p.m. for a regular meeting. An agenda item related to COVID-19 includes discussing the budget and the effect from an expected decline in sales tax collections due to the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders. A story is forthcoming.
Harris County
County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced the county will form a "testing strike team" to provide coronavirus tests to high-risk communities such as nursing homes.
Additionally, the county is expanding the number of mobile testing sites from two to four, doubling mobile testing capacity. A map showing the schedules of each mobile testing site will be posted to www.readyharris.org later this week.
Also, Gov. Greg Abbott said Harris County cannot issue fines or penalties to people not wearing face coverings. In a statement, Hidalgo said the county will amend the county order requiring face masks to keep it in compliance with the governor’s.
Fort Bend County
A second county-run coronavirus testing site opened April 27. It is located in Sugar Land. The first county-run testing site is in Rosenberg.
The county is working to open even more testing sites and is preparing for a second wave of the virus.
Waller County
The mobile coronavirus testing site in Waller County administered 106 tests April 26. The state-run mobile testing site conducted COVID-19 testing for one day only.
Houston area
A Greater Houston area-based travel agent discussed how vacations will change in light of the coronavirus. She said nothing is available to book for travel until at least June 15.
State
The governor announced the state’s stay-at-home order will expire April 30 and provided updates for how to reopen the economy, such as allowing retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls to reopen May 1 as long as occupancy is limited to no more than 25%.
