The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update, March 30, 2020

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Hotlines for health questions and COVID-19
Montgomery County: 936-523-5040
Harris County: 713-634-1110

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 81 positive cases of COVID-19, an increase of 1 from yesterday. The County office also announces a total of 11 recoveries. These can be viewed on the updated case list below.

This is just a reminder that moving forward, Montgomery County will update cases here: https://mcphd-tx.org/coronavirus-covid-19/confirmed-cases/.

Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
As of March 30, 2020 (3:00 p.m.), Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has 14 new cases of COVID-19, which brings the total to 254 positive cases, including the second COVID-19 related death. HCPH is also confirming that 39 of the patients have recovered. These new cases do not include those within the City of Houston. Harris County Public Health updates 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.

Tracking COVID-19: Local, Regionally, Nationally, Internationally
Below are the widgets for tracking COVID19.

Montgomery County
Texas Counties Statewide
Texas Department of Health and Human Services Case Counts
Global Cases

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.

Township News
The Township Board of Directors urges residents to continue social distancing and proper hygiene and cleaning with diligence in the both Montgomery and Harris County orders of Stay at Home. “The numbers are still pretty unpredictable and will be over the next several days,” said Township Chairman Gordy Bunch. “While I know it’s extremely difficult environment we’re in, we hope to continue to see progress and all of us thank The Woodlands residents who are helping to flatten the curve of this very dangerous virus.”

Guidelines for Social Distancing on the Pathways
For pedestrians using the pathways, please remain a minimum of 6 feet apart. Be sure to stay to the right, watch for other pathway users, be especially alert when running and listen for audile signals and allow faster pathway users to pass freely.

For bicyclists using the pathways, please give audible warnings when passing pathway users, ride at a safe speed, helmets are recommended and be sure to ride straight ahead.

For rollerbladers on pathways, blade at a safe speed, helmets and protective gear are recommended, blade straight ahead and listen for audible warnings and allow faster pathway users to pass freely.

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.

State and National Information

The White House, CDC and FEMA launch comprehensive Coronavirus (COVID-19) website
Visit coronavirus.gov to access important up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 including how to prepare and protect yourself, what to do if you think you are sick, a new website and app with a COVID-19 screening tool and much more.

FEMA Extends Grace Period for Flood Insurance Renewal Premiums
FEMA continues to take proactive steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic and to help serve its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) customers who may be experiencing financial hardships, the agency is extending the grace period to renew flood insurance policies from 30 to 120 days.

To avoid a lapse in coverage, there is typically a 30-day grace period to renew National Flood Insurance Program policies. However, due to the widespread economic disruption arising from this pandemic, FEMA recognizes that policyholders may not meet the standard deadline.

This extension will allow additional time for policyholders who may be struggling financially to pay insurance premiums and ensure their policies are not cancelled for nonpayment of premium due to circumstances beyond their control. View the entire advisory.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of External Affairs, Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov.

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.

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

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

YMCA operating as an Essential Personnel Child Care Site in response to the COVID-19 crisis
Located at 6145 Shadowbend Place, The Y is providing a full day of programming, snack and meals for the children of 'essential personnel,' including medical workers; first responders; select government staff; and grocery store, pharmacy and food distributor employees.

Children, ages 1 - 12 years old are eligible to register. The program runs Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. and features games, arts and crafts, STEAM and literacy activities.

Register online. Financial assistance is available.

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

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 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 at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.