HOUSTON — We are continuing to track the latest headlines and updates regarding the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
There have been more than 1.1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of midnight ET Saturday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 65,000 people have died and 164,000 have recovered. The U.S. has conducted 6.5 million tests.
Worldwide, over 3.3 million people have been confirmed with COVID-19, more than 1 million of whom have recovered. There have been nearly 239,000 deaths around the globe.
Saturday's top headlines
- Houston strip club wins fight to reopen as restaurant
- Families choose to stay home after Texas stay-at-home orders lifted
- Need your hair done? Your salon experience will likely be different next time.
- 'The virus doesn't respect dates on the calendar,' Judge Hidalgo says on the day Texas begins reopening
- Former Astros organist serenades friends at assisted living facility
Stimulus payment tracker & FAQ | How you can get tested for COVID-19 | Local COVID-19 cases | Coronavirus symptoms | COVID-19 FAQ
Latest COVID-19 updates
Here are the latest updates from around the Houston area and the world (all times are Central/Houston time):
MAY 2 7:15 p.m. — Florida deputies arrested a man who had been living out his quarantine on a shuttered Disney World island, telling authorities it felt like a “tropical paradise.” Read more here.
MAY 2 7 p.m. — Join us for a virtual Party on the Plaza to benefit the Houston Food Bank. Also appearing in the broadcast, will be Houston Astros 3rd baseman Alex Bregman, H-E-B president Scott McClelland, Rapper Bun B and Mayor Sylvester Turner.
During the show, you can help us take a stand against hunger by texting KHOUMEALS to 41444 to make a monetary donation to the Houston Food Bank.
MAY 2 3:34 p.m. — The Houston Health Department is reporting 115 new coronavirus cases, bringing the city's total to 3,835. As of today, the death toll for the city of Houston has reached 65.
The latest deaths include five men ranging between ages 60-90. All had underlying health issues, the city confirmed.
MAY 2 3:32 p.m. — Montgomery County Health District confirms at least 634 people have tested positive for the coronavirus, that's an increase of 5 cases since yesterday. So far, 51 people have been hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 and 153 people have made a full recovery.
MAY 2 1:11 p.m. — Houston Food Bank and HISD will be getting a helping hand from Astros superstar Alex Bregman during it mass food distribution site Saturday at NRG stadium.
The organizations are prepared to service 10,000 families by providing frozen meats, fresh produce, bread and other non-perishable items. It's third event of its kind that has been organized to help individuals unable to visit food banks during the the week.
The food distribution event will take place from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
MAY 2 11:34 a.m. — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has signed a new stay-home, work-safe order instructing non-essential businesses and workers not listed in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's reopening plan to remain closed until May 20.
"We need to remain vigilant for a phased reopening to work," the judge tweeted.
MAY 2 8:45 a.m. — Fort Bend Health and Human Servies reported 54 new coronavirus cases today and one additional death, bringing the total death count to 26.
The individual who died was a woman in her 80s with underlying health conditions. Click here for a breakdown of cases in each Houston-area county.
MAY 2 7:25 a.m. — A New York City nursing home on Friday reported the deaths of 98 residents believed to have had the coronavirus — a staggering death toll that shocked public officials.
“It’s absolutely horrifying,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “It’s inestimable loss, and it’s just impossible to imagine so many people lost in one place.”
It is hard to say whether the spate of deaths at the Isabella Geriatric Center, in Manhattan, is the worst nursing home outbreak yet in the U.S., because even within the city facilities have chosen to report fatalities in different ways. A state tally of nursing home deaths released Friday listed only 13 at the home.
MAY 1 8:12 p.m. — Former Houston Astro Michael Bourn is standing for Houston during the coronavirus pandemic by helping out residents in three Houston-area apartment complexes.
The Nimitz High School alumnus owns the complexes and announced this week he is waiving tenants’ rent for April and May.
MAY 1 7:45 p.m. — The Buckingham, a senior living facility in west Houston, is reporting the death of another resident due to COVID-19. James Kneen, owner of the facility, described the man as an Army veteran who served "our country proudly and with distinction." Kneen said he was "a man of strong faith, he worked hard, raised a family with his wife and deeply cared about others."
MAY 1 6:26 p.m. — Times are tough for many Houston families and keeping food on the table can be a challenge. So can feeding their pets.
That's why The Houston Humane Society is planning another free drive-thru Pet Pantry on Tuesday, May 5.
The #GivingTuesdayNow event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Humane Society in the 14700 block of Almeda.
MAY 1 5:05 p.m. — Getting access to free testing for the coronavirus has been a challenge for many underserved communities in the Houston area.
In response to reports of a possible cluster of COVID-19 cases in the area surrounding Hillcroft and Richmond Avenues, Council Member Edward Pollard’s office is partnering with the United Memorial Medical Center to offer free tests this weekend.
You don't need to have symptoms to get the test but an appointment is required in advance for every adult and child. Adults must bring a pictured identification but proof of citizenship is not required.
The tests will be given at Pilgrim Academy Elementary School parking lot at 6302 Skyline Dr. on Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MAY 1 4:35 p.m. — The City of Houston and Harris County reported a total of eight new deaths Friday, bringing the total to 122. In the Greater Houston Area, 227 people have died.
Out of 10,099 cases in the Greater Houston Area, including all surrounding counties, 3,387 have recovered.
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Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some patients also have nausea, body aches, headaches and stomach issues. Losing your sense of taste and/or smell can also be an early warning sign.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk for becoming seriously ill. However, U.S. experts are seeing a significant number of younger people being hospitalized, including some in ICU.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Follow social distancing
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
Get complete coverage of the coronavirus by texting 'FACTS' to 713-526-1111.