The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update, Monday, June 29, 2020

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Board Reiterates CDC Guidelines of Social Distancing and Facial Coverings

With a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the Township Board of Directors continues to strongly recommend CDC Guidelines for social distancing and facial coverings while out in public, especially when you will be around other people. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Everyone should continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. “Fighting this pandemic requires that we all work together – citizens and our businesses,” Chairman Gordy Bunch said. “We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves and a responsibility to take care of those around us.”

Watch a video about wearing face coverings in The Woodlands.

The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park Closed Temporarily Due to COVID-19 Exposure
The Woodlands Township has closed The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park temporarily due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.

The facility will be closed today, Monday, June 29, 2020, and Tuesday, June 30, 2020, for cleaning and disinfecting and to provide proper notification to all who may have been in contact with the employee. Sunny Dayz Camp at Bear Branch Park is suspended for the week of June 29 through July 3. The facility and program re-opening will be announced later, pending the completion of safety and sanitization procedures.

Read the complete release.

Wendtwoods Pool to Re-Open after Two Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
The Woodlands Township Wendtwoods Pool has followed an extensive cleaning and disinfecting procedure after two employees tested positive for COVID-19. The pool has been closed and is scheduled to reopen today, June 29, 2020.

Township staff members undergo daily temperature screenings upon reporting to work along with being asked a variety of questions regarding possible coronavirus exposure. The employee who tested positive was screened each day and did not present with an elevated temperature.

Read the complete release.

Additional West Nile Positive Mosquito Samples Found in The Woodlands
The Woodlands Township Mosquito Surveillance and South County Mosquito Abatement identified three West Nile virus positive mosquito samples in The Woodlands this week. Positive samples were collected from the Villages of Grogan’s Mill, Cochran’s Crossing and Panther Creek. South County Mosquito Abatement identified an additional sample outside of The Woodlands in the Timber Lakes neighborhood.

South County Mosquito Abatement will spray areas surrounding these sites. Montgomery County residents are encouraged to access the treatment map at http://www.precinct3.org/mosquito-abatement for information regarding spraying in their local area. Residents of Creekside Park can access the spray map from Harris County Public Health at https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Services-Programs/All-Services/Mosquito-Control-Services.

View the complete release.

The Woodlands Town Center Trolleys Resumes Service July 1, 2020
The Woodlands Township will resume full service for the Town Center Trolleys beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. This includes all four trolleys operating the normal route and stops, seven days a week. Current capacity will be limited to 17 passengers, half of the normal capacity (35).

Due to COVID-19 safety measures, trolleys will be wiped with disinfection throughout the day and will undergo a thorough disinfection process at the end of each service day. All drivers will be required to wear face coverings. Passengers are also highly encouraged to wear face coverings.

View the complete release.

State News
Governor Abbott Takes Executive Action to Contain Spread Of COVID-19
Limits Certain Businesses And Services with Link to Infections

Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Friday, June 26, 2020, limiting certain businesses and services as part of the state’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. This decision comes as the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 and the number of hospitalizations have increased and the positivity rate in Texas increased above 10 percent, which the Governor previously stated would lead to further preventative action. The targeted, measured directives in the executive order are based on links between certain types of businesses and services and the recent rise in positive cases throughout the state.

The order includes the following:

All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51 percent of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages were required to close at noon on Friday, June 26, 2020. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50 percent of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020.

Rafting and tubing businesses must close.

Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions.

View the Governor’s Executive Order

County News
Message from Montgomery County Hospital CEOs
The Woodlands Township has received the following message from the Montgomery County Hospital CEOs: “We are asking our community and government leaders to help support our local hospitals and health care workers by encouraging mask coverings in all public places, social distancing with limited gathering of people, and proper hand hygiene.”

Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count
Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, encourages everyone to do your part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping businesses and restaurants open, especially ahead of this weekend’s 4th of July holiday. Limiting the number of people you come in contact with will reduce the chance of contracting COVID-19. Wearing a mask if necessary to be in public, frequent hand washing or using hand sanitizer, surface disinfection and social distancing are imperative. Starting today, per Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order, restaurants are only permitted to serve at 50 percent capacity.

Tonight, MCHD Chief of EMS James Campbell and MCHD Medical Director Dr. Robert Dickson will join Conroe ISD Superintendent Dr. Craig Null on a Facebook Live about COVID-19. Please join us on the Conroe ISD Facebook page at 6 p.m. tonight.

Today, the number of ACTIVE cases of COVID-19 has increased to 797 in Montgomery County. Of the 797 active cases who are Montgomery County residents, 22 are in the hospital. 1,195 people have fully recovered. The number of total positive cases has increased 76 since Friday to 2,028.

You can view the list of case-by-case updates on the MCPHD website here: https://mcphd-tx.org/coronavirus-covid-19/confirmed-cases/. You can refer to the dashboard here: https://coronavirus-response-moco.hub.arcgis.com/.

The MCHD/MCPHD COVID-19 Call Center is open for residents needing COVID-19 testing through the voucher program, or for general questions, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please call 936-523-5040 for more information.

For more information on how to protect yourself and others, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.

The MCHD/MCPHD COVID-19 Call Center is open for residents needing COVID-19 testing through the voucher program, or for general questions, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please call 936-523-5040 for more information.

Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) publishes their daily case count, combined with the City of Houston’s daily case count, here: https://tinyurl.com/tzymvk5. Cases by zip code in Harris County can be found by clicking on areas of the map.

The Village of Creekside Park is located in two zip codes: 77375 and 77389, and these also include Magnolia, Augusta Pines/Auburn Lakes/West Rayford Road in northwest Harris County. Today, Harris County is reporting zip code 77375 has 166 confirmed positive cases with 64 active cases, and 77389 has 129 confirmed positive cases with 41 active cases.
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) COVID-19 Testing

Get tested, it’s free! To sign up for testing, visit hcphtx.org or ReadyHarris.org or you can call 832-927-7575. View flyer for more information. Once tested, results from HCPH testing sites can take up to 5 days to process. As you wait for your results, stay home and self-isolate, especially if you are sick, practice social distancing (6 ft/2 m) and wear a face-covering. View flyer for more information on the next steps after you have been tested.

Harris County Moves Threat Level to 1, Red: Stay Home
Harris County has changed its threat level indicator to Level 1, Red, Stay Home. Level one signifies a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19 in Harris County, meaning outbreaks are present and worsening and that testing and contact tracing capacity is strained or exceeded. At this level, residents take action to minimize contacts with others wherever possible and avoid leaving home except for the most essential needs like going to the grocery store for food and medicine.

Regardless of current level indicated, all residents should continue the use of social distancing, frequent hand washing, and the use of face coverings until there is a vaccine or a treatment for the virus. Additionally, residents exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days regardless of level indicated.

Around the Township
Township to Present “Drive-In” and Online Fireworks Show to Celebrate America’s Birthday
The Woodlands Fourth of July celebration will take a different look this year due to COVID-19 pandemic, but the fireworks of celebration will continue the tradition of America’s birthday.

The Woodlands Township will offer a “drive-in” and online fireworks display, presented by St. Luke’s Health - The Woodlands Hospital, on Saturday, July 4, 2020. Watch the fireworks show online from the comfort of your home! The show will be streamed live on The Woodlands Township website at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov and www.woodlandsonline.com

The 18-minute show will be launched from the campus of Lone Star College - Montgomery at approximately 9:30 p.m. and will be simulcast on KSTAR Country 99.7 FM with live coverage on The Woodlands Township’s website and Woodlands Online. To listen to the soundtrack live, spectators can download the KSTAR app by searching “KSTAR Country Radio” in the App Store or on Google Play.

Due to COVID-19, the festival locations of The Woodlands Fourth of July activities have been cancelled due to mass gatherings.

Read more about The Woodlands Township’s Drive-in Fireworks Display.

Star-Spangled Salute Cancelled
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is saddened to officially announce the cancellation of one of The Woodlands’ most popular Independence Day events, the Star-Spangled Salute featuring the Houston Symphony. As with many large-scale events in the community, public health and the safety of staff, artists and guests is paramount when it comes to COVID-19. More information.

Message from the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association:

Governor Abbott Closes Standalone bars, Reduces Restaurant Capacity back to 50 Percent
On June 26, 2020, Governor Abbott amended his executive order affecting the opening of Texas. The June 26 order, GA-28, mandates restaurants shall again return to a maximum 50 percent occupancy capacity effective June 29, 2020. This does apply to hotel restaurants and dining areas.

Additionally, standalone bars or other establishments that derive more than 50 percent of their revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages are permitted to open only for pickup/to-go service, effective at noon today. While most hotels do not derive more than 50 percent of their revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages, hotels should take great care and consider reducing bar service to guests seated at a table in a dining area (at no more than 50 percent occupancy), or for to-go service or in-room dining.

Meetings may continue at a maximum 50 percent occupancy capacity, and subject to the physical distancing requirements found in these standards of operation issued by the State of Texas.

General hotel operations for the accommodation of overnight guests may continue at full capacity. Pools and other water features remain at 50 percent maximum occupancy and subject to physical distancing requirements.

Enjoy a Summer Getaway Right Here in The Woodlands
Looking for summer vacation plans due to COVID-19? Stay right here in The Woodlands! Many hotels are offering Summer Staycation and Mid-Week specials. Visit The Woodlands’ new website features special offers for restaurants, hotels in The Woodlands and more. View hotel specials and other offers here.

Visit The Woodlands Launches New Destination Website
Visit The Woodlands is proud to announce the launch of its new, fully redesigned destination website, visitthewoodlands.com. The new website offers the most accurate and up-to-date content for leisure travelers with access to curated trip ideas, upcoming events, special offers, visitors guide and more. The site also features a section designed for meeting planners that includes details on meeting venues in The Woodlands, CVB services, online RFP submission and the official Meeting Planners Guide. View the website here.

Re-Opening of The Woodlands
For a list of open and closed facilities in The Woodlands Township, please visit https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/1495/Re-opening-of-The-Woodlands.
Open Hotels in The Woodlands
Westin and Marriott are expected to be opening soon. Be sure to stay up to date by viewing Visit The Woodlands.

Best Western Plus | Candlewood Suites | Drury Inn The Woodlands | Embassy Suites | Fairfield Inn and Suites | Hilton Garden Inn | Hyatt Place | Residence Inn Lakefront Drive | Residence Inn Market Street | The Woodlands Resort

Community Resources
Numerous resources are available in the community for support. These vary from food banks to financial assistance and much more. Please visit the link below to find more information about resources in the community related to COVID-19: http://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/1491/Community-Resources

Township Neighborhood Watch to Host Salute to First Responders Blood Drive
Visit The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park (6464 Creekside Forest Drive) on Monday, July 6, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to donate blood. Please consider this opportunity to express your gratitude to our first responders who continue to serve our community and receive a FREE beach towel with your successful donation!

Donors with appointments will be honored first; however, walk-ins will be taken when a station is open. Visit the Gulf Coast website to schedule your appointment.

The Gulf Coast Blood Center will take precautions to ensure your safety and is offering FREE COVID-19 antibody testing for all successful donors. Donors will be required to wear a mask. Participants waiting outside of their vehicle will be required to follow social distance guidelines.

Blood Donations Needed Now

Donate June 15-30, 2020, and pick up a T-shirt as a thank you for helping to save lives.
Visit giveblood.org to schedule your appointment.
The Blood Center is now requiring that donors wear a mask or face covering when at a blood drive. In the case that you do not have one, staff will offer you one.
All successful blood donors will receive a FREE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TEST. (This test is authorized by the FDA only for detecting the presence of antibodies against SARS-Co V-2, and is not intended for diagnosis of COVID-19.)
Township’s Coronavirus Page
The Woodlands Township’s COVID-19 page can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page features Montgomery and Harris county Hubs, community resources and news from the Federal Government and the CDC. It also includes the latest news from The Township, partner agencies, important links, FAQs, live Twitter feeds and more.