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COVID-19 Updates: March 29, 2020

By: The Woodlands Township
| Published 03/30/2020

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THE WOODLANDS, TX - The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Updates for March 28, 2020.

County News
Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count

Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, can confirm Montgomery County now has 63 positive cases of COVID-19, an increase of 16 from yesterday. Some big news today that Montgomery County is happy to share is Case #2, who was previously hospitalized in critical condition, has been released from the hospital! She will continue her recovery at home. This is just a reminder that moving forward, Montgomery County will update cases here: https://mcphd-tx.org/coronavirus-covid-19/confirmed-cases/.

The chart is updated daily by 3 p.m. Right now, Montgomery County has 368 negative results and 169 pending tests.

Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
As of March 28, 2020 (3:00 p.m.), Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has 53 new cases of COVID-19, which brings the total to 213 positive cases, including one COVID-19 related death, reported on March 19, 2020. HCPH is also confirming that 24 of our patients have recovered. These new cases do not include those within the City of Houston.

Harris County Public Health updates its case counts daily at 3:00 p.m. and keeps an ongoing list of case statuses on its website. For the complete list of Harris County confirmed case information with status details, please visit http://www.hcphtx.org/Resources/2019-Novel-Coronavirus/Harris-County-COVID-19-Confirmed-Cases.

The Woodlands Township Updates
Township News

According to Township Chairman Gordy Bunch in conversations with Montgomery County health officials, Montgomery County potentially will see a larger jump in confirmed COVID-19 cases the next several days based on the significant increase in testing kits now available.

'We do expect to see a rise in confirmed cases countywide as there has been a lot more tests available and administered from public and private sources,' Chairman Bunch said.

He added that Montgomery County has said 85% of tests continue to come back negative for COVID-19.

'It is also important to point out the total number of confirmed cases 63 relative to the 9 cases (15%) require hospitalization,' he said. 'As more people are tested, it will become apparent there is a lag from initial confirmation until those cases show up on the official daily update lists. Those that test positive will receive an e-mail or phone call advising them of their positive results. The public health department does not add these cases until they receive an official copy of the labs which depending on timing can be 2-3 days after the patient received their notice.'

Test results have increased from 1-2 days to 3-7 days depending on where tests are sent. This is due to the increased volume of testing. 'We're hoping the quick response (25 minute result) tests are available in our region this week,' Chairman Bunch said. 'With the combination of the back logged and new faster testing results, it is expected that there will be several days with significant increases on the daily updates. Once those testing inflections points pass we will be able to see a more accurate trend line.'

The Township Board urges residents to continue with diligence in the both Montgomery and Harris County orders of Stay at Home.

Help Keep Our Garbage and Recycling Truck Drivers Safe
The Woodlands Township asks for your assistance in helping to keep our garbage and recycling truck drivers safe. Please help prevent truck fires and protect the environment by not placing hazardous waste in your garbage or recycling. Waste Management has reported an increase in truck fires due to hazardous waste being put into trash carts. Batteries, chemicals, motor oils, and propane tanks should be kept out of your recycle, trash, and green waste. These items require special handling at a household hazardous waste facility. Currently those facilities are closed. Please hold onto these items until they reopen.

If you need to report a missed pick up, schedule a bulk pickup or submit another request, please contact Waste Management at 1-800-800-5804 or email cssatex@wm.com.

Waste Management continues to provide weekly curbside services according to your designated service day. Due to an increase in volume, pick up times may vary from your previous pick up time, however, trucks are operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. We anticipate that disruptions in service may be inevitable if and when local, state or federal declarations mandate additional operational restrictions.

Simple Recycling (textile recycling using an orange bag) has been suspended until further notice. Please hold onto items you may have used for this service until a later date.

Food and Shopping
The Woodlands Farmer’s Market

The Woodlands Farmer’s Market, located at 7 Switchbud Place, sponsored by the Grogan’s Mill Village Association is closed through April 15, 2020. At this time, closing the market temporarily is the best course of action due to the heightened concern of the Coronavirus. The Farmer’s Market will send an update email closer to April 15, 2020. Please follow their Facebook page for updates regarding the market.

Grocery Store Special Hours

ALDI: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Costco: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fiesta Mart: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

HEB: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Delivery to seniors (60+) is available through partner, Favor Delivery. Phone orders are accepted 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week by calling 1-833-397-0080. This service is free until April 19, 2020 but will include a $10 tip to the Favor Runner who will shop for and deliver the items.

Kroger: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sam’s Club: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Open Tuesday and Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and concierge curbside service available for seniors 65+.

Target: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. priority is given to 65+, pregnant and those in at-risk conditions.

Trader Joe’s: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wal-Mart: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Open Tuesdays from 6 to 7 a.m. for seniors 65+.

Whole Foods: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Shoppers 60+ can begin shopping at 7 a.m.

The Woodlands Mall is closed due to COVID-19
As a result of County Judge of Montgomery Order, The Woodlands Mall’s interior common areas will cease operations, but food-use tenants may continue to operate for pick-up and delivery service. Businesses with external entrances will be permitted to operate within the occupancy guidelines. The Mall Walker Program is suspended until further notice. Read the entire update at https://www.thewoodlandsmall.com/en/visit/covid-19-update.html.

County, State and National Information
Montgomery County Judge Keough Issues Stay Home, Stop the Spread

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough issued a stay home order on Friday, March 27, 2020. The order will take effect for residents of Montgomery County at 11:59 p.m. and expire on April 12, 2020. The order stipulates that most businesses cease operations, aside from those on an essential list including grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare providers, government agencies, gas stations and more. The order also instructs residents of Montgomery County to stay home except for essential errands. A curfew will be in place throughout all of Montgomery County, starting at 11:59 p.m. every night and ending at 6 a.m. Read the complete Montgomery County order.

FEMA Offers Ways for Private Sector to Help Fight COVID-19
To sell medical supplies or equipment to the federal government, please submit a price quote under the COVID-19 PPE and Medical Supplies Request for Quotation. Full details can be found in the solicitation (Updated Notice ID 70FA2020R00000011). This solicitation requires registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be considered for award, pursuant to applicable regulations and guidelines. Registration information can be found at www.sam.gov. Registration must be “ACTIVE” at the time of award.

If you have medical supplies or equipment to donate, please provide details on what you are offering through our online medical supplies and equipment form at https://www.fema.gov/covid19offers.

If you are interested in doing business with FEMA and supporting the response to COVID-19 with your company’s non-medical goods and/or services, please submit your inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security’s Procurement Action Innovative Response (PAIR) team at DHSIndustryLiaison@hq.dhs.gov.

In addition to these avenues to help, licensed healthcare professionals that want to volunteer can get information on eligibility, view credential levels by clinical competency and register with the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals in their state.

If you are a hospital or healthcare provider in need of medical supplies, please contact your state, local, tribal or territory department of public health and/or emergency management agency. Any needs that cannot be met by the state or tribe are then sent to the respective FEMA regional office who are coordinating requirements through the FEMA National Response Coordination Center. FEMA is working with the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies to fulfill requests and ship supplies as quickly as possible.

Additional ways to help can be found at www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help.

If you have any questions, please contact the National Business Emergency Operations Center at NBEOC@max.gov.

Community Resource Information
The following items were received from the agencies noted.

Food Banks
Local food banks are inventorying their resources to ascertain what will be needed in the days to come. Many Township residents have expressed a desire to volunteer or donate; please see the information below regarding those needs.

Interfaith of The Woodlands remains open to meet the basic needs in South Montgomery County, including Senior Grocery Delivery, Crisis Assistance Services and Food Pantry Assistance. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Curbside services are by phone at 281-367-1230. Donations are being accepted. Please read on to learn how you can lend support to Interfaith.

Montgomery County Food Bank is conducting a virtual food drive. Please read on to learn how you can help.

Meals on Wheels has coordinated a food drive to stock the shelves. A system in place to deliver supplies to the most at-risk neighbors, but they need your help to provide the food… because no one deserves to have an empty pantry, especially at times like this. During these times of uncertainty, food insecurity is at an all-time high. An increasing number of seniors are becoming homebound, as the fear of going out and being exposed to COVID-19 continues. Join the virtual food drive.

Community Assistance Center Serving Montgomery County is currently providing assistance to residents of Montgomery County with financial assistance for utilities, pre-packaged bags of groceries during Wednesday Markets and is accepting donations. For more information view the flyer.

The Township’s Coronavirus page
The Woodlands Township has launched a special COVID-19 information page that can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page includes the latest news from The Township, updates from partner agencies, social distancing strategies, important links, frequently asked questions, live Twitter feeds and more and is being updated frequently. Please check back often.

Stay Connected
Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township through our many communications channels. Learn more and sign up atwww.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.

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