HOUSTON – HOUSTON – Coronavirus cases in the Houston area:
- 2 confirmed cases and 1 presumptive positive case in Harris County
- 1 confirmed case and 1 presumptive positive case in Houston
- 6 presumptive positive cases in Fort Bend County
- 1 possible case “under investigation” in Montgomery County
- 8 people being investigated as possible coronavirus cases in Harris County, according to KPRC 2 source
- Over 100 people being monitored who might be relatives, friends, coworkers or others who might have been in close contact with those on the Egypt trip
- Memorial Hermann asked 11 healthcare workers who were in direct contact with one of the confirmed patients to self-quarantine for 14 days
- An active retirement community in Fort Bend County has confirmed one of their residents claims to have tested positive for COVID-19.
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As the coronavirus cases in the Houston area continue to grow, follow the latest developments as they unfold:
Sunday, March 8:
8:52 p.m.
Harris County Public Health announced a new presumptive positive case of coronavirus in Harris County. This brings the total to four coronavirus cases in Harris County: two confirmed cases and 2 presumptive positive cases.
The individual, described as a female between 60-70 years old from unincorporated northwest Harris County, is in stable condition, has been quarantined and is continuously being monitored by the HCPH, per the release. Her test results were processed at the Houston Health Department and are considered presumptive positive until it is re-tested and confirmed by the CDC in Atlanta.
This travel-related exposure is related to the known group from the M.S. A’sara cruise traveling to and from Aswan, Egpyt. All of the coronavirus cases in the Greater Houston area are related to the cruise.
5:34 p.m.
Rice University cancels all classes this week due to coronavirus concerns.
Out of an abundance of caution and to allow faculty and staff time to prepare for possible remote instruction this semester, in-person classroom instruction and undergrad teaching labs for the week of March 9 are canceled. During the week of March 9-13, faculty can provide material that can be completed remotely and does not require group interaction.
Click here for the full release from Rice University.
3:04 p.m.
Fort Bend County Health & Human Services, Houston Health Department and Harris County Public Health ask any local residents who recently traveled to Egypt and took a Nile River cruise to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days and contact their local health department.
On March 5, 2020, the M.S. A’sara cruise traveling to and from Aswan, Egypt was quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure. Local health department officials are seeking M.S. A’sara passengers from the Greater Houston area who traveled on the cruise line from February 12 to March 5, 2020, because they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
If you or your family traveled on the M.S. A’sara cruise (traveling to and from Aswan, Egypt) during the dates in question, please self-quarantine and contact your local health department. Only passengers on the M.S. A’sara cruise need to contact their local health department.
For Fort Bend County Residents:
Fort Bend County Health & Human Services
281-633-7795
This number is staffed Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For City of Houston Residents:
Houston Health Department
832-393-4220*
*This number is currently only for M.S. A’sara cruise passengers and will be staffed 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For Harris County Residents:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH)
713-439-6000
This number is staffed 7 days a week 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
9:57 a.m.
Sunday morning, Fort Bend County officials announced three additional presumptive positive cases of COVID-19. Officials said the cases are travel-related. All three people are in isolation at home, according to officials.
Here is the full release from Fort Bend County:
Fort Bend County Health & Human Services is announcing 3 additional travel-related cases of COVID-19. One traveler was not part of the group involved in the other Houston-area cases but was on the same cruise in Egypt at a later date.
The cases are as follows:
- A man in his 70s who was symptomatic, hospitalized and discharged in good condition to isolation at home.
- A man in his 70s who had one day of fever which resolved. He is in isolation at home.
- A woman in her 60s who had mild symptoms which have resolved. She is in isolation at home.
The epidemiological investigation continues to expand and the health department is working to quickly identify close contacts with these individuals. Close contacts may include family members, co-workers, emergency responders, and other contacts.
People who recently returned to the United States from a COVID-19 outbreak area need to monitor fever, cough, and difficulty breathing for at least 14 days after return. Seek medical care right away if symptoms develop. Before, visiting their healthcare provider or hospital, symptomatic people with a travel history to a COVID-19 outbreak area must call ahead and tell the healthcare professional about their recent travel and symptoms.
If a person has not been around anyone with COVID-19 or has not visited an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak area, they are not at risk.
The public can help:
- Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
- Practice healthy hygiene habits every day to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Remember to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
- Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@FortBendHealth) and check our website for regular updates (fbchealth.org/ncov)
Privacy protection laws only permit the release of limited patient information. The health department is unable to release any additional patient information.
Saturday, March 7:
10:29 p.m.
An active retirement community in Fort Bend County has confirmed Saturday one of their residents claims to have tested positive for COVID-19.
Del Webb Sweetgrass, the active retirement community, has two residents in self-quarantine, according to a statement.
Part of the statement reads, “The Community HOA has alerted the community about the situation and is asking residents to take appropriate precautions to restrict the spread of the disease.”
Here is the full statement from Del Webb Sweetgrass:
Yes, we have learned that a resident of Del Webb Sweetgrass apparently has contracted the coronavirus. The couple has notified the appropriate health agencies and has self-quarantined themselves. The community HOA has alerted the community about the situation and is asking residents to take appropriate precautions to restrict the spread of the disease. The health and safety of our residents is of paramount importance and we certainly hope for their quick recovery.
5:30 p.m.
In Harris County, almost half-a-dozen Memorial Hermann employees are awaiting COVID-19 test results after possibly being exposed to the virus within the last week.
Memorial Hermann President and CEO, Dr. David Callender, said in a press conference Saturday that 11 healthcare workers are in self-quarantine after coming in direct contact with a patient who later tested positive for COVID-19.
Callender would not reveal at which hospital the possible exposure occurred but called the situation a “coronavirus curveball.”
“The patient with the virus presented with atypical symptoms and did not have a positive travel history according to the guidelines at the time,” Callender said.
According to Dr. Angela Shippy, three of the 11 employees are showing symptoms of coronavirus.
“They’ve all been tested,” Shippy said. “Their labs are being sent off to find out whether they’ve truly been exposed.”
The patient that their employees treated is linked to the Egypt cruise, according to Memorial Hermann. However, since Egypt was not a hot-spot for COVID-19 at the time, Dr. John Butler said the patient was discharged.
It was not until three days later, after learning about the other Coronavirus cases linked to Egypt, that they brought the patient back in, said Butler.
Butler also said it was not until Friday night that the 11 Memorial Hermann employees were told they might have been exposed to the virus.
5:50 p.m.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released an update on the impact of coronavirus:
I know Houstonians are concerned about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially with the recent positive cases identified in our area. It’s important to note that all cases in our area thus far are linked by international travel and there is no evidence of community spread. For the general public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 remains low.
While I understand the concern expressed by some, based on the current situation, public health experts indicate there is no need for the general public to avoid large gatherings in Houston. This is true of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which has taken extra measures to help ensure the health and well-being of its attendees. The Rodeo has expanded the number of hand sanitizing stations, increased the frequency of sanitizing common touchpoints, added signage encouraging proper handwashing, boosted the frequency of cleaning and restocking of soap and paper towels in restrooms, increased the number of cleaning staff, and directed staff and volunteers with symptoms of illness to stay home. I applaud the Rodeo for taking these extra precautionary measures and encourage other local venues to take similar action.
I know the news of the cancellation of SXSW likely heightened the level of concern among some Houstonians. However, there are significant differences between the two events. SXSW attracts people from more than 100 countries, which raises the risk of COVID-19 transmission based on community spread occurring internationally. The Rodeo is primarily a regional event with attendees from the Houston area, where there is currently no community spread of COVID-19.
However, people who are elderly or have compromised immune systems should routinely consider the risk associated with attending large gatherings and make a decision on whether they should attend. Out of an abundance of caution, I encourage people who recently traveled internationally to self-quarantine for 14 days. Also, if you have traveled or plan to travel internationally, I advise you to wait two weeks before visiting nursing homes or senior living facilities, as an added precaution. And, people who are sick need to always stay home to prevent infecting others.
All of us must continue to practice routine healthy hygiene habits to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, such as washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth, and staying home if sick. “If the situation changes, community-based interventions such as event cancellations and social distancing may be needed. I will support the decisions of local public health officials, in conjunction with state and federal officials, based on the scope and severity of the situation.
We will continue to promptly update the public with developments, and I encourage Houstonians to visit HoustonEmergency.org for the latest information.
5:05 p.m.
Port Houston released a statement on the impact of the coronavirus:
The entire greater Port of Houston (200 + private and eight public terminals) along the Houston Ship Channel 52-mile federal waterway falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Port Houston (Authority) owns and operates the eight public terminals. We, along with the maritime industry follow the direction and guidelines of the U.S. Coast Guard.
We are receiving regular updates from the U.S. Coast Guard and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We follow their direction and protocols, as well as guidelines from our local public health authorities.
We take health and safety as the number one priority of our employees, customers, visitors, and community.
This is a continuously evolving situation. We are remaining diligent in monitoring this situation. We are providing regular updates, and sharing the advised health information towards the prevention of spreading this virus.
As with other companies, we have paused international business travel in an abundance of caution and will continue to follow directions as advised by authorities as this situation evolves.
3:39 p.m.
Memorial Hermann asked 11 healthcare workers who were in direct contact with one of the confirmed patients to self-quarantine for 14 days, as recommended by the CDC.
Memorial Hermann released a statement and planned a press conference to discuss coronavirus:
Memorial Hermann has learned that a small number of patients who were screened at our facilities for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the last several weeks have tested positive for the infection. These patients are being cared for under both the Memorial Hermann Health System infection control and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) protocols and are in stable condition.
Out of an abundance of caution, Memorial Hermann asked 11 healthcare workers who were in direct contact with one of the confirmed patients to self-quarantine for 14 days, as recommended by the CDC. Only one of the healthcare workers is exhibiting minor symptoms, but all have been or will be tested for COVID-19 and their conditions are currently being monitored. Memorial Hermann is working closely with the Houston Health Department to effectively manage this potential exposure and ensure the safety of our employees, physicians and patients.
How did the potential exposure to healthcare workers happen? It is important to note in this particular incident, our healthcare workers followed all CDC recommended screening protocols.
“During an initial visit to one of our facilities, one of the confirmed cases did not present with symptoms, relevant travel or potential exposure that would have immediately prompted CDC testing protocols. Three days later, and once it was known that passengers on the Egypt cruise had been exposed to COVID-19, one of the patients returned to one of our facilities and was tested. The potential exposure to our healthcare workers was related to the first visit only.”
2:40 p.m.
NACE International has postponed its annual CORROSION 2020 conference and expo in Houston until June 14-18, 2020. The five-day event is for corrosion professionals. More than 6,000 attendees from 61 countries were expected to attend the conference this month.
“Postponing our conference was a difficult decision, but after consulting with several members of our industry community and convening our board of directors, we believe it is the right thing to do,” said NACE International CEO Bob Chalker. “We determined the best way to protect the health and safety of our attendees, speakers, and exhibitors is to postpone our annual conference. After close consultation with the George R. Brown Convention Center, conference hotels, and our vendor partners, we believe this is the best solution under the current circumstances.”
NACE is working with all conference venues and vendors to ensure the process of moving CORROSION 2020 to June goes as smoothly as possible, the organization said in a release. More details about these efforts will be posted on the NACE website as they become available.
NACE International’s First Service team can be reached at firstservice@nace.org or by phone at 1-800-797-6223 or +1-281-228-6223 worldwide. The First Service phone lines will open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. to assist registrants.
2:09 p.m.
Harris County Public Health Department released a notice on St. Cecilia Catholic Church coronavirus investigation:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) epidemiologists have been in contact with St. Cecilia Catholic Church in West Houston as part of their contact investigation. An individual who tested positive for COVID-19 attended mass at the church at 5:30pm Wednesday, Feb. 26Th Persons who sat approximately within 6 feet of the individual could have potentially been exposed to COVID-19. The individual sat in the very last row on the left side of the church as you face the altar. (This is not a new case of COVID-19, but this investigation is part of HCPH’s existing diagnosed positive COVID-19 cases related to the travel group in Egypt).
As part of the investigation, HCPH is recommending that members of the public who sat in the last three rows on the left side (as you face the altar) at the 5:30 p.m. mass on Wednesday, Feb. 26th, contact Harris County Public Health at 713-439-6000 and contact their healthcare provider immediately (call before going) if they notice any symptoms. Additionally, any parishioner or church attendees experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 should stay home, away from other people, and contact their health provider for additional guidance. As a reminder, the symptoms include: fever, cough (and) shortness of breath.
Based on Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, parishioners should continue monitoring for these symptoms until March 11, 2020. HCPH will work their healthcare provider if testing for COVID-19 is needed.
Since being notified, and with the support of Harris County Public Health, St. Cecilia has taken safety measures to clean and sanitize the area, including sanitizing pews and touchpoints throughout the church, draining and sanitizing baptismal fonts, and providing hand sanitizers at all entry points. We want to thank St. Cecilia Catholic Church leadership and its parishioners for their engagement and support during this investigation.
Members of the public who have general questions about the virus, or are seeking additional information about the current state of the County’s response, including confirmed positive cases, and how to help stop the spread of the virus should visit www.ReadyHarris.org and www.hcphtx.org\COVID-19.
Friday, March 6:
11:02 p.m.
St. Cecilia Catholic Church located at 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, announced Friday that one of the members of their church who had tested positive for coronavirus, attended the 5:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass.
“Harris County Public Health also told us this individual received ashes and had communion in the hand; the person did not receive communion from the cup,” the church wrote on Facebook. “We were informed that the individual sat in the last pew on the left side of the Church at this service.”
If you are a church member who sat in the last 3 rows on the left side of the church at the 5:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass, you’re asked to contact Harris County Public Health at 713-439-6000.
The church said it has taken several steps to protect parishioners:
- They drained and sanitized the baptismal fonts which will not be refilled for the remainder of the Lenten season
- They sanitized the pews, door handles and bathrooms
- They are providing hand sanitizers at all the church entrances
7:22 p.m.
Montgomery County Public Health District says there is one case of possible coronavirus case “under investigation” in the county.
“We are not releasing the numbers of those under testing as they rapidly change from day to day,” officials wrote. “If we have a positive result, and therefore have a presumptive confirmed case, we will send out a press release immediately.”
5:37 p.m.
Two more presumptive positive cases of coronavirus were announced in Fort Bend County Friday by local health officials.
Both patients are women in their 60s who traveled abroad where it is believed they contracted the virus. Both patients were under self-quarantine at home and while one woman’s symptoms “have resolved,” the other woman is exhibiting “mild symptoms,” officials said.
12:48 p.m.
Houston health officials announced there was a confirmed case of coronavirus identified in a 60- to 70-year-old woman. The woman is hospitalized and is listed in stable condition, officials said.
A source confirmed to KPRC 2 that eight more people in Harris County are under investigation as possible coronavirus cases.
Thursday, March 5:
A man and a woman from Harris County were confirmed to have coronavirus, health officials announced. The woman is a staff member at Rice University and visited the campus. Seventeen members of the Rice University community were asked to self-quarantine as a result.
Later that night, Houston officials announced it’s first presumptive positive case of coronavirus. Harris County officials also announced a presumptive positive case. Both cases were men between the ages of 60 and 70.
Wednesday, March 4:
Fort Bend County officials announced a man in his 70s was the first presumptive positive case of coronavirus in the Houston area. He was hospitalized and in stable condition. Ten people that he came in direct contact with were under self-quarantine.