District K Residents,
I want you to know the 1st of 4 testing centers will open tomorrow, Friday. March 20th.
The first public testing site to open in Houston will be located at Butler Stadium, 13755 S. Main St., 77035. It is important to note that the testing site is not open to the general public via random drive throughs. This first testing site will focus on testing healthcare workers, first responders and persons with compromised immune systems. The only way to access the testing center is through a web site that has not been made public yet. After you progress through the site you will be referred to a nurse line. If you are needing testing after speaking to the nurse, you will be given a number and sent to the testing site. Please be patient and realize the importance of testing our healthcare professionals first. As we receive more testing equipment from FEMA we will be able to expand the testing to more Houstonians.
The two public testing sites that are initially set up in Houston will be Butler Stadium and Delmar Stadium. We don’t have a date for the opening of Delmar Stadium yet. The county’s two initial locations are the MO Campbell Center and the Berry Center. As I receive more information on these locations opening, I will let you know. We do anticipate more public testing sites throughout the city and county.
There are currently 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Houston. However, as more people are tested, we naturally expect that number to rise. In order to prevent a drastic rise we are encouraging residents to continue working from home if possible and practicing social distancing.
As a reminder, all city sponsored, produced and permitted events are cancelled until April 30, 2020. Bars are closed and restaurants should be operating take out and drive through only at this time. We encourage Houstonians to continue to support our small businesses while maintaining appropriate social distancing and constant hand washing with soap for at least 20 seconds.
We are encouraging residents to follow the CDC guidelines for large events and mass gatherings. The recommendation is for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow community spread. Visit www.cdc.gov for more information.
The District K staff will continue working, however we will serve constituents remotely, with limited time being spent at the City Hall Annex. If you have constituent concerns, continue to call 311 and get your sr# and report to our office. The District K email and phone line will be checked each day.
Again, WE must all make smart decisions to prevent or at least slow down potential community spread. If you have concerns, please contact the COVID-19 Call Center at 832-393-4220 to obtain information about the disease or to get your specific questions answered.
In times of concern, the world needs steady people. Worry and panic accomplish nothing except weakness of heart and head. We must remain informed and cautious. Keep living your lives, be smart and wash, wash and wash your hands!
-Martha
