HOUSTON – There is encouraging news regarding a sharp decline across the country in the number of new COVID-19 cases. I’m glad to get it, but I’m still scratching my head,” said Dr. David Persse of the Houston Health Authority. And until I have a good answer to that, I’m hesitant to speculate.”Persse said while the latest stats nationally are certainly a good thing, they are not indicative of the trend in the COVID-19 cases across the Houston area. “Here in Houston, Harris County, we’re not seeing a decline,” he said. While there is promise in the latest numbers regarding COVID-19 cases and more people continue to get vaccinated, Persse said now is not the time to be complacent.