The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update, Monday, July 6, 2020

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, can confirm a jump of 197 total cases of COVID-19, over the long weekend, to 2,550 cases.

Today, the number of ACTIVE cases of COVID-19 has increased to 1,061 in Montgomery County. Of the 1,061 active cases who are Montgomery County residents, 31 are in the hospital. 1,452 people have fully recovered.

There are steps we can all take to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Avoid groups of people. Wear a mask (if it is necessary to be in public), wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, disinfect surfaces in your car and around your home, and practice social distancing. We have the power to keep businesses and restaurants open!

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.

Online Registration for COVID-19 Testing Now Available
Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Hospital District, would like to announce online registration is now available to receive a voucher for COVID-19 testing through both MCPHD and MCHD. Testing is available for both symptomatic and asymptomatic people who would like to be tested. You must be a Montgomery County resident to be eligible for a voucher; each resident can receive only one voucher.


• STEP ONE: Go to mchd-tx.org or mcphd-tx.org and click on “Need to be tested?”

• STEP TWO: Fill out the information.

• STEP THREE: Check your email for the voucher.

• STEP FOUR: Make an appointment at your testing center of choice based on information you receive in the email.

• STEP FIVE: Get tested! The testing center of your choice will notify you of the result.
For more information, the MCHD/MCPHD COVID-19 Call Center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please call 936-523-5040. Read more about online voucher registration.

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 253 confirmed positive cases with 131 active cases, and 77389 has 169 confirmed positive cases with 65 active cases.

Harris County Business Health and Safety Order Extended
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has amended an existing order mandating that all businesses in Harris County develop and post a health and safety policy for employees and customers, which at a minimum includes a face covering requirement. As part of the order, everyone over the age of 10 must wear a face covering while in businesses or on commercial properties, including employees and all visitors and customers. Read the complete order here.


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.

State News
Governor Issues Statewide Face Covering Requirement, Limits Gatherings
Governor Greg Abbott has issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions. The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10 people, and making it mandatory that, with certain exceptions, people cannot be in groups larger than 10 and must maintain six feet of social distancing from others.

Additionally, the Governor released a new video message to coincide with his Executive Order, encouraging Texans to do their part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and keep their communities safe. The video can be downloaded at this link and can also be viewed on YouTube.

View the Governor’s Executive Order. | View the Governor’s Proclamation.

Township News
Chairman Bunch Discusses the Importance of Wearing a Face Covering
As the number of cases of COVID-19 continue to increase both in Harris and Montgomery counties, please take a look at the importance of wearing a face covering from Township Chairman Gordy Bunch. Watch the video.

Township Boat Houses closed temporarily due to COVID-19 exposure
The Woodlands Township has closed the Riva Row Boat House and Lakes Edge Boat House temporarily due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19. The facilities will be closed until further notice for cleaning and disinfecting and to provide proper notification to all who may have been in contact with the employee. The facility and program re-opening will be announced later, pending the completion of safety and sanitization procedures.

Read the news release.

Town Center Trolleys Resume Service
The Woodlands Township resumed 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 is limited by half.

Due to COVID-19 safety measures, trolleys will be wiped with disinfectant 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.

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.

Around the Township
Open Hotels in The Woodlands
Westin and The Woodlands Waterway Marriott both re-opened last week. 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 Westin at The Woodlands | The Woodlands Resort | The Woodlands Waterway Marriott

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

Blood Drives at the YMCA

Donate July 10 and 13, 2020 and pre-register at giveblood.org.
If you are not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19 within the last 14 days, we ask you to please do not try to donate.
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.)

July 10, 2020 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Woodlands Family YMCA at Shadowbend
6145 Shadowbend Place, The Woodlands, TX 77381
Schedule Your Appointment

July 13, 2020 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Woodlands Family YMCA at Shadowbend
6145 Shadowbend Place, The Woodlands, TX 77381
Schedule Your Appointment

July 13, 2020 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Woodlands Family YMCA at Branch Crossing
8100 Ashlane Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382
Schedule Your Appointment

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.

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.

The Woodlands Township publishes this update to inform residents and businesses regarding COVID-19 and its impact on The Woodlands Township. Please sign up for Township news and notifications at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/notifyme.