Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties reported a total of 648 confirmed coronavirus cases May 8 in seven Katy-area ZIP codes, according to data available at 4:15 p.m.

The counties reported 639 cases May 7, 630 cases May 6, 618 cases May 5 and 610 cases May 4.

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. In total, Waller County is reporting 23 recoveries out of 37 confirmed cases.

Harris County outside the city of Houston is reporting 1,868 recoveries out of 3,175 cases, while Fort Bend County is reporting 220 recoveries out of 1,357 confirmed cases.




None of the counties are providing the total number of public and private tests administered by ZIP code, though Fort Bend County’s testing sites have tested a total of 5,129 people.

Katy area

Starting May 8, salons and barbershops could begin reopening. Some Katy-area business owners shared how they have prepared for this day.

Also, community leaders started a task force to help local businesses navigate the complexities of reopening their stores, offices, plants and clinics.




Meanwhile, a local senior living facility hosted a car parade May 8 for Mother’s Day.

Harris County

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County's high occupancy vehicle and high occupancy toll lanes will reopen May 11.

Houston area




Texas Medical Center is reporting an 18% week-over-week increase in discharges for COVID-19 patients. Check out more hospitalization data here.

U.S.

The April employment situation summary released May 8 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the national unemployment rate rose to 14.7%, the highest month-over-month increase in the history of the series, which goes back to January 1948.