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WEATHER ALERT

JUDGE LINA HIDALGO

‘We’re very close.': Why Harris County Judge says she’s not yet ready to lower COVID-19 threat level but could do so soon

HOUSTON – As key metrics like the infection rate and ICU hospitalizations trend downward for the first time in months, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says it’s not yet time to reduce the county’s COVID-19 threat level. At present, Harris County is at the highest threat level: Red level 1. Hidalgo told KPRC 2 Monday that scaling back to orange on the COVID-19 Threat Level system is on the horizon. Harris County COVID-19 Threat Level System (KPRC)“We can go to orange in a matter of days, you know, a week or two. “The positivity rate in Harris County is around 8% we needed to be at five.

Houston-area water park responds of public criticism of social distancing efforts

HOUSTON Social media is reacting to a water park in the Houston-area for failing to follow COVID-19 health regulations. Typhoon Texas in Katy recently live-streamed a video that received a lot of comments from people criticizing guests of failing to social distance. We have taken several steps to ensure a safe family-friendly waterpark experience with acceptable social distancing for loungers, cabanas and seating areas. Measures taken include hand sanitation stations, tube disinfecting at every use, health & social distance signage, and tips on a Good. As for masks, the Centers for Disease Control advises against wearing them in water as they can be difficult to breathe through when wet.

Here’s what will happen if you’re caught violating Gov. Abbott’s mask order

Greg Abbott signed an executive order Thursday requiring all Texans to wear masks or face coverings while in public and in businesses. Local law enforcement and officials “can and should enforce this executive order,” when appropriate, the order states. They are also expected to enforce any other statewide executive orders and local orders that are consistent with Abbott’s orders. If a business was caught in violation of the Harris County order, Hidalgo said that they could face a fine of up to $1,000. A representative for her office shared this message with us: “Our order is staying in place, but the governor’s order supersedes local ones.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tests negative for coronavirus, continues to quarantine

HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Tuesday that she tested negative for coronavirus after she went into self-quarantine over the weekend due to potential exposure. “I’ve tested negative for COVID-19. I’ll continue to follow CDC guidelines and quarantine until Monday, which is 14 days after initial exposure. Hidalgo began quarantining over the weekend after one of her staffers, with whom she came in contact with on June 22, tested positive for the virus. While in quarantine, Hidalgo has continued her duties as Harris County judge virtually.

Judge Hidalgo: Texas Medical Center change in ICU bed capacity reporting is alarming

The Texas Medical Center released In a statement Sunday, saying the following:Yesterday, the Texas Medical center posted an incomplete slide deck in order to allow time to fully develop a number of new slides. The new slides as well as a number of updated slides that were absent yesterday will be released later today. The TMC ICU beds are at 93% capacity with 31% of those identified as COVID-19 patients. What Judge Hidalgo is saying about thisHidalgo had some tough criticism of TMCs change in data reporting over the weekend. She says the recent change in numbers and projections when it comes to hospital ICU bed capacity is alarming and hard to understand for everyone.

Harris County Commissioners vote 3-2 to extend disaster declaration, including mask order, until Aug. 26

HOUSTON – Harris County Commissioners voted 3-2 to extend the county’s disaster declaration till August 26 Tuesday afternoon. BREAKING: By a 3-2 vote, Harris County Commission extends COVID-19 Disaster Declaration until August 26. According to spokeperson for Judge Hidalgo, because the mask order falls under this declaration, that is also extended to August 26. But a group of Harris County business owners took the mask order to court, asking a judge to stop it. The mask mandate went into effect Monday, June 22, and was set to expire Tuesday if the Harris County Commissioners did not vote to extend it.

Houston and Harris County residents split on new mask mandate issued by Judge Lina Hidalgo

HOUSTON – Houston and Harris County residents are split on how they feel about Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s executive order that requires business owners to mandate that all customers and employees wear masks. In a Facebook poll posted Friday night, KPRC 2 viewers were split 61% to 39% on how they felt about the order. 📣 SOUND OFF: 📣 Do you agree with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's decision to have businesses require employees and customers to wear masks or face a $1,000 fine? https://bit.ly/2YORbxq Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Friday, June 19, 2020Many made their feelings known in comments on Facebook as well. A question KPRC 2 asked people on Facebook garnered hundreds of comments with people explaining why they agreed or disagreed with the order.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo hopes to finalize a mask order by Friday, office says

Judge Lina Hidalgos office told KPRC 2 Hidalgo hopes to finalize the mask order by Friday. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Wednesday that he and Hidalgo had reviewed the order first issued by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. Greg Abbott was not supportive of issuing a mask mandate, he told KWTX in Waco that the Bexar County order was in line with his own executive order. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is reportedly mulling a mask order as well. Dr. Laila Woc-Colburn, associate professor of infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine supports the idea of issuing a mask order.

How effective are COVID-19 threat level charts in other cities and states?

HOUSTON – “We may be approaching the precipice, the precipice of disaster.”Those were the ominous words Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo used Thursday while unveiled a new COVID-19 threat level system. But Hidalgo warned if current trends continue, she may elevate the threat level to red, which means a recommendation that everyone stay home. Right now, that county’s threat level is red due its current COVID-19 situation. The state of Utah has been using a colored COVID-19 system since April, but individual counties can be at different levels. Hidalgo said she assesses the threat level every day.

Heres a breakdown of the COVID-19 threat levels laid out by Harris County Judge Hidalgo Thursday

HOUSTON We may be on the precipice of disaster, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Thursday as she announced a new system to help residents understand the threat level of coronavirus in the Houston area. In a joint press conference, Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner explained the new system that breaks down threat levels in four tiers that are color-coded. Hidalgo said the system was designed so residents could break through the noise of all the information available on coronavirus and case trends. What to do: At this level, residents may resume normal contact with others unless sick. If youve been exposed to COVID-19, quarantine for 14 daysYou can read more about Hidalgo and Turners threat level system on the Ready Harris website.

Harris County replaces unused NRG Arena tent hospital with new facility for potential COVID-19 surge

HOUSTON – The controversial ‘Tent Hospital’ that was assembled, sat unused and then deconstructed, is being replaced with another facility inside NRG Arena. The price tag is to keep the makeshift 150-bed facility in a state of readiness, Hidalgo said. Air filtration in the section of NRG Arena, where the facility is located, has been upgraded to accommodate patients. Hidalgo said that the new facility is more cost-effective than the old temporary hospital and will be managed by Harris County instead of a third-party contractor. When I hear people talk about ‘in case there’s a second surge,’ last time I checked, we didn’t have the first surge,” KPRC2 Analyst Ed Emmett said.

Hidalgo signs new stay-home, work-safe order for businesses not permitted to reopen by Abbott

Published: May 2, 2020, 11:36 am Updated: May 2, 2020, 11:42 amHOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo signed a new stay-home, work-safe order Saturday morning. Non-essential Harris County businesses and others that were not designated to reopen by Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order must remain closed through May 20, Hidalgo announced on Twitter. Abbott said he is aiming for May 18 as the target date for the second phase of reopening the Texas plan. Park benches, communal playgrounds, and playground equipment may increase the spread of COVID-19 and, therefore, shall remain closed.

Tracking coronavirus: Timeline from the first case, the Rodeo cancelation to reopening Texas

Greg Abbott issued a public health disaster declaration, a move the state has not done in nearly 120 years. March 24Harris County, Houston could extend ‘stay home, work safe’ order Tuesday, judge saysHarris County and Houston officials issue a stay-home-work-safe order on March 24. April 3At 2,029, Houston-area coronavirus cases account for 38% of all cases in Texas on April 3. The protest, similar to others taking place across the country, highlighted the growing tension between personal liberty and public health in a time of national crisis. April 30Nearly two months after the first case was confirmed, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Houston-area crosses 10,000.