Fort Bend and Harris counties both report additional cases of COVID-19, as does the city of Houston while Harris County also reports that three patients are considered to have recovered from the deadly virus. Waller County continues to report that no cases are active in the county.

“Community spread is occurring throughout the Houston region. Community members need to follow the social distancing ordinances issued by local, regional, and state leaders seriously. They are in place to help keep our most vulnerable residents safe and to minimize the impact on our healthcare system,” said Fort Bend County Health & Human Services Director and Local Health Authority Dr. Jacquelyn Minter.

Fort Bend County reported five additional cases, only one of which – a woman in her 60s – is hospitalized. All other new cases in the county, which has a total of 24 cases now, are recovering at home.

Harris County’s last case count was 33 as of 11:30 a.m. Friday. Of those, nine are new cases, of which three are confirmed to be travel-related, the county said in an emailed statement. One male between the ages of 80 and 90 has died of the disease, according to Harris County’s Public Health website. IN counterpoint, the county also reports that three residents have recovered from the illness associated with the COVID-19 virus.

Waller County Judge Trey Duhonn reports via Facebook that the county continues to have no reported cases of COVID-19, but encouraged everyone to continue social distancing in order to maintain that status.

“I would be completely happy to continue the streak but it's going to require everyone to continue to adhere to recommendations,” Duhonn said.

Houston now reports a total of 11 cases of the disease, eight of which are travel-related. Five Houston patients are hospitalized while the remainder are home recovering.

The three counties and Houston now have a combined total of 68 cases. Globally, 260,476 cases of novel coronavirus have been reported. Of those, 11,289 patients have died and 87,377 have recovered according to Johns Hopkins. 

Officials continue to emphasize social distancing on the part of all residents throughout the Greater Houston Area.

 “If you are not sick, you do not need to be tested. If you are sick and your symptoms are mild, please stay home and manage your symptoms as if you would for the flu.”