Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties reported a total of 548 confirmed coronavirus cases April 30 in seven Katy-area ZIP codes.
The counties reported 537 cases April 29, 516 cases April 28 and 500 cases April 27.
Only Waller County is providing the number of recoveries at the ZIP code level, and all three of the Katy-area cases in Waller County have recovered. None of the counties are providing the total number of public and private tests administered by ZIP code.
Katy area
About 5% of the Katy-area population filed unemployment insurance claims March 18-April 18, according to data from the Texas Workforce Commission. This is roughly 47 people per 1,000 in the Katy area.
Also, the Katy Area Economic Development Corp. has launched a free platform for updates on open businesses. Learn more here.
Fort Bend County
The state began transferring prisoners who have been treated for the coronavirus to a prison in Richmond, which ignited a debate with the Fort Bend County judge. Learn more here.
Additionally, at the April 28 commissioners court meeting, the membership structure of the CARES Act Distribution Advisory Committee was approved.
Harris County
In a 3-2 vote at the April 28 meeting, Harris County commissioners approved an initial injection of $15 million in tax payer dollars into a coronavirus relief fund for residents who are falling through the cracks of federal relief efforts.
Houston area
Most Houston-area movie theaters do not plan to open May 1 despite Gov. Abbott’s authorization. Learn more about it here.
Also, addiction recovery-oriented nonprofits in Houston are providing virtual activities for vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bob Harvey, the president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, said at an April 30 webinar he believes the Houston region is ready to reopen.
Patrick Jankowski, senior vice president of research for the Greater Houston Partnership, said he estimates 407,237 unemployment insurance claims have been filed in the Greater Houston area from March 1-April 25.
State
The Texas Restaurant Association president said the state's phased opening approach is a responsible way forward for Texas restaurants, an industry in which 61% of employees were furloughed since February.
