Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates

May 28, 2020
Coronavirus Disease 2019

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NEW CALL CENTER HOURS: Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Reopening Guidance for Workplaces, Businesses, Etc.

Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas

The Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas will safely and strategically restart and revitalize all aspects of the Lone Star State—work, school, entertainment, and culture.

Learn more on the State of Texas website. 

CDC Community Mitigation Strategies

CDC Community Mitigation Framework: Actions that individuals, businesses, health departments, and community settings (such as schools) can take to slow the spread of COVID-19

Learn more on the CDC website.

Greater Houston Partnership Guidance

As the Houston region moves to reopen our economy, it is important that we do so safely, sustainability and successfully. To aid companies planning to reopen or expand their operations, the Greater Houston Partnership developed these principles to help businesses develop plans to protect the health of their employees and customers by reducing the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Learn more on the GHP website.

Second Amended Order Prohibiting Certain Large Gatherings and Events and Reopening Imposing Temporary Restrictions On Certain Businesses and City Premises by the Mayor of the City of Houston

Mask Up, Houston

Help stop the spread by wearing a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth in public.

Free COVID-19 Testing

Getting tested empowers you protect others. Find a free COVID-19 test site near you.

Houston/Harris County Cases

Find the latest information about local cases on the Harris County/Houston dashboard.

HOUSTON COVID-19 DEATH DEMOGRAPHICS

Race/ethnicity of Houston’s 129 COVID-19 deaths as of May 30, 2020:

  • Black: (44) 34%
  • Hispanic (41) 32%
  • White (34) 26%
  • Asian (7) 5%
  • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: (1): 1%
  • Unknown (2) 2%
  1. Female | Age 60-69 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/24/20
  2. Female | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/27/20
  3. Female | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/29/20
  4. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/27/20
  5. Female | Age 60-69 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/24/20
  6. Male | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/31/20
  7. Male | Age 40-49 | Black, Unknown | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/27/20
  8. Female | Age 60-69 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/01/20
  9. Male | Age 60-69 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/01/20
  10. Male | Age 60-69 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/30/20
  11. Male | Age 30-39 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/01/20
  12. Female | Age 60-69 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/05/20
  13. Male | Age 80-89 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/27/20
  14. Female | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/02/20
  15. Female | Age 90-99 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/05/20
  16. Male | Age 50-59 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/05/20
  17. Female | Age 90-99 | Other, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/10/20
  18. Male | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/09/20
  19. Male | Age 90-99 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/6/2020
  20. Female | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death 04/5/2020
  21. Male | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/9/2020
  22. Male | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/28/2020
  23. Male | Age 50-59 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/6/2020
  24. Male | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/08/20
  25. Male | Age 60-69 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/12/20
  26. Male | Age 40-49 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/08/20
  27. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/01/20
  28. Male | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 03/31/20
  29. Male | Age 60-69 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/11/20
  30. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/09/20
  31. Male | Age 80-89 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/07/20
  32. Male | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/16/20
  33. Male | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/16/20
  34. Male | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/16/20
  35. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | No Known Health Conditions | Died: 04/12/20
  36. Male | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/05/2 0
  37. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/06/20
  38. Male | Age 50-59 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died 04/17/20
  39. Male | Age 70-79 | Asian, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/20/20
  40. Male | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/21/20
  41. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/21/20
  42. Male | Age 50-59 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/22/20
  43. Male | Age 50-59 | White, Hispanic  | No Known Health Conditions | Death: 04/17/20
  44. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/09/20
  45. Female | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/19/20
  46. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/21/20
  47. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/30/20
  48. Male | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/15/20
  49. Female | Age 70-79 | Asian, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/15/20
  50. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/25/20
  51. Female | Age 90-99 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/15/20
  52. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Hispanic |Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/24/20
  53. Male | Age 60-69 | White, Unknown ethnicity | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/31/20
  54. Male | Age 60-69 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/07/20
  55. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/08/20
  56. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | No Known Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/25/20
  57. Female | Age 50-59 | Asian, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/09/20
  58. Female | Age 30-39 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/10/20
  59. Female | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/27/20
  60. Male | Age 90-99 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/28/20
  61. Male | Age 80-89 | Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/11/20
  62. Male | Age 70-79 | Black | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/12/20
  63. Male | Age 80-89 | Asian | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/27/20
  64. Male | Age 50-59 | Black | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/30/20
  65. Male | Age 60-69 | Hispanic | No Known Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/25/20
  66. Female | Age 90-99 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/12/20
  67. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/15/20
  68. Female | Age 50-59 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/20/20
  69. Male | Age 80-89 | | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/30/20
  70. Male | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/08/20
  71. Male | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/20/20
  72. Male | Age 100+ | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Died: 04/26/20
  73. Female | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/19/20
  74. Male | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death:  04/20/20
  75. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/23/20
  76. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/25/20
  77. Male | Age 50-59 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/23/20
  78. Male | Age 60-69 | Unknown Race, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/28/20
  79. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/22/20
  80. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/22/20
  81. Male | Age 70-79 | Asian, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/20/20
  82. Female | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/01/20
  83. Male | Age 70-79 | Unknown race, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 03/25/20
  84. Male | Age 60-69 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/04/20
  85. Male | Age 50-59 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/06/20
  86. Male | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/08/20
  87. Female | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/14/20
  88. Male | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | No Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/15/20
  89. Male | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/24/20
  90. Male | Age 90-99 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/21/20
  91. Female | Age 40-49 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/24/20
  92. Female | Age 90-99 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/30/20
  93. Male | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | No Known Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/21/20
  94. Male | Age 60-69 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/04/20
  95. Male | Age 40-49 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/26/20
  96. Male | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/13/20
  97. Female | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/15/20
  98. Male | Age 60-69 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/25/20
  99. Male | Age 10-19 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/07/20
  100. Female | Age 90-99 | Asian, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/06/20
  101. Male | Age 30-39 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/18/20
  102. Female | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/26/20
  103. Female | Age 70-79 | Black, Unknown Ethnicity | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/10/20
  104. Female | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/02/20
  105. Female | Age 80-89 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/17/20
  106. Male | Age 70-79 | Asian, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/27/20
  107. Male | Age 60-69 | Unknown race, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/05/20
  108. Female | Age 50-59 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/18/20
  109. Female | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/21/20
  110. Male | Age 70-79 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/13/20
  111. Male | Age 20-29 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/27/20
  112. Female | Age 50-59 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/05/20
  113. Male | Age 60-69 | Black, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/09/20
  114. Female | Age 70-79 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/07/20
  115. Male | Age 80-89 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/22/20
  116. Female | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/29/20
  117. Male | Age 40-49 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/29/20
  118. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/14/20
  119. Male | Age 70-79 | Non-Hispanic, Unknown Race | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/17/20
  120. Male | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/28/20
  121. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/12/20
  122. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 5/13/20
  123. Male | Age 70-79 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/18/20
  124. Male | Age 80-89 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 04/09/20
  125. Female | Age 60-69 | White, Non-Hispanic | No Known Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/13/20
  126. Male | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/03/20
  127. Female | Age 60-69 | White, Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/25/20
  128. Male | Age 90-99 | White, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/03/20
  129. Female | Age 80-89 | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Non-Hispanic | Underlying Health Conditions | Death: 05/24/20

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COVID-19 Data Hub

Explore a vulnerability map including COVID-19 cases by Super Neighborhood.

Find the latest hospital capacity info from the SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council and Texas Medical Center.

COVID-19 Registry

The COVID-19 Registry is a research study that provides real-time information to health departments on the spread of COVID-19, who is being affected, and how.

Updates - May 29, 2020

Municipal Courts extends suspension of all jury trials to August 2, 2020 to continue the promotion of safe social distancing in response to COVID-19

In an effort to continue to encourage the health and safety of the public and court staff members from the spread of the COVID-19, the Municipal Courts Department extended the suspension of all jury trials through August 3, 2020. Read the News Release

Updates - May 27, 2020

City of Houston Municipal Courts Department extends court reset period to each Saturday in June at 1400 Lubbock and resumes normal operations June 1, 2020

The City of Houston Municipal Courts Department (MCD) is extending the court reset period for cases scheduled during the Stay Home, Work Safe Order.   Read the News Release

Updates - May 24, 2020

Houston Health Department, agency partners to provide free COVID-19 tests across Houston

The Houston Health Department and its agency partners will set up new sites offering free COVID-19 tests for the week of May 26, 2020.    Read the News Release

Updates - May 21, 2020

Mayor Turner's statement on the death of Special Advisor Keith Wade

Keith and I go back 46 years, to our days on the campus of the University of Houston.  Read the Statement

Mayor Turner announces city pools and splashpads closed until further notice

Mayor Sylvester Turner has announced that all City swimming pools and splashpads will remain
closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read the News Release

Updates - May 18, 2020

Houston integrates COVID-19 response and recovery into Resilient Houston framework

To effectively navigate through the global coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Sylvester Turner updated the Resilient Houston plan to include a COVID-19 addendum to guide the city's response to this public health crisis and associated economic impacts.  Read the News Release

Houston HealthScope: COVID-19 Special Edition 17

The latest issue of the Houston Health Department newsletter, Houston HealthScope, is now available. Read the Newsletter

For previous updates, visit our archive page. 

Mental Health and Coping

It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after infectious disease outbreaks. Everyone reacts differently, and your own feelings will change over time. Notice and accept how you feel. Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help your long-term healing. If you or someone you know shows signs of stress for several days or weeks, get help by accessing Harris County’s COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at 833-251-7544.

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The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may be stressful for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Visit the CDC for more.

Info for people living with HIV

The impact of COVID-19 on people with HIV is not known. Current evidence indicates that the risk of severe illness increases with age and with certain chronic medical problems. In one case series, the median age of critically ill patients was 66 years and 72% had underlying co-morbid conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, and immunosuppression.

COVID-19 Information for People Living with HIV

Rumor Control

  • A person should never ingest or inject disinfectants.
  • The Houston Health Department does not provide test results for people tested at the Houston community based testing sites. FEMA obtained a contractor who calls and mails a letter to people who are tested at the site. The process is described in this document.
  • Testing treatment, or services relating to COVID-19 will NOT be used against immigrants in their public charge evaluation.
  • Test results from a doctor’s office will be reported to the patient by the doctor’s office.
  • The Houston Health Department lab is operating within capacity and has never experienced a COVID-19 testing backlog.
  • CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings.
  • The flu shot does not protect against COVID-19 but it’s flu season and people 6-months and older should get a flu shot.

Closures

City of Houston City Service Status 

These lists were compiled on March 18, 2020. Please check with your school or venue for updates.

How to protect your famly and community

Social Distancing Guidance for all Houstonians

  • Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.
  • Maintain at least 6 feet of separation from other people.
  • CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings.
  • Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
  • Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
  • Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical care situations.
  • Practice healthy hygiene habits:
    • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, use the elbow of your sleeve. Don’t use your hands to cover coughs and sneezes.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially if you are at higher risk for coronavirus.
  • Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.
  • Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
  • If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
  • Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Visit HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 frequently for updates.

People at higher risk include:

  • People 60 and older.
  • People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes.
  • People who have weakened immune systems.
  • Pregnant women.

Caregivers of children with underlying health conditions should consult with healthcare providers about whether their children should stay home. Anyone who has questions about whether their condition puts them at risk for novel coronavirus should consult with their healthcare providers.

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

  • Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and 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.

COVID-19 Call Center

832-393-4220

Monday-Saturday

7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Help us understand the mental health impact of COVID-19

Help the Houston Health Department understand the mental health impact of COVID-19.

Stay Home, Work Safe

The recently-extended Harris County Stay Home, Work Safe Order is in effect through June 10, 2020.

Find out what Harris County's Stay Home, Work Safe order means

The information below is from ReadyHarris.org/stay-home. Please visit the website for the full order.

This order is issued to further the goals and policies of the State of Texas as set out in Executive Order GA-23 and is to be construed consistent with and in harmony with the terms of such executive order.

  1.  Effective upon signing, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on June 10, 2020:
    1. Every person in the County shall, except when necessary to provide or obtain covered services as that term is defined by Executive Order GA-23, minimize social gatherings and minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household. People over the age of 65 are strongly encouraged to: stay at home as much as possible; maintain appropriate distance from any member of the household who has been out of the residence in the previous 14 days; and, if leaving the home, implement social distancing and to practice good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation.
    2. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Order except that, to the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they should, to the greatest extent feasible, maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person. Individuals experiencing homelessness are strongly urged to obtain shelter.Governmental and other entities that can provide shelter to homeless individuals are strongly urged to make shelter available, as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable (and are encouraged to utilize social distancing requirements in their operations).
    3. All services except covered services as defined in Executive Order GA-23 operating within Harris County should cease all activities at facilities located within the County. All businesses may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home). Covered services may continue operating at levels permitted by Executive Order GA-23, and are encouraged to operate at less-than-total occupancy and to permit as many employees as feasible to work from home in order to impede virus transmission.
    4. All public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are strongly discouraged.Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.Nothing in this Order affects orders or agreements regarding child-related visitation or custody arrangements.
    5. Individuals may go to public parks, beaches, rivers, lakes and open outdoor recreation areas, and swimming pools, as long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household and, in the case of swimming pools, the 25 percent occupancy limits are observed.Park benches, communal playgrounds, and playground equipment may increase the spread of COVID-19 and, therefore, shall remain closed.
    6. Interactive amusement venues, such as video arcades, amusement parks, splash pads, and water parks must remain closed.
    7. Indoor concert halls and performing arts venues must remain closed.Drive-in concerts are permitted, as long as there is appropriate social distancing, spectators remain in their vehicles, and there is minimal in-person contact between people who are not in the same household or vehicle.
  2. In providing or obtaining essential services or reopened services, people and businesses should follow the minimum standard health protocols recommended by DSHS, found at www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus, and should implement social distancing, work from home if possible, and practice good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation. This also includes the following, to the extent not inconsistent with the DSHS minimum standards, the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, as well as other CDC recommendations.Individuals are encouraged to wear appropriate face coverings consistent with the Amended Face Covering Order.
  3. Religious services should be conducted in accordance with the joint guidance issued and updated by the Texas Attorney General and Governor.
  4. If someone in a household has tested positive for COVID-19, all residents of the household are ordered to isolate at home until cleared by a public health authority or medical provider.
  5. In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall not visit nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance as determined through guidance from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities should follow infection control policies and practices set forth by the HHSC, including minimizing the movement of staff between facilities whenever possible.
  6. This Order shall be effective until 11:59 p.m. on June 10, 2020 or until it is either rescinded, superseded, or amended pursuant to applicable law.
  7. Harris County will post this Order on the Internet.In addition, the owner, manager, or operator of any facility that is likely to be impacted by this Order is strongly encouraged to post a copy of this Order onsite and to provide a copy to any member of the public asking for a copy.If any subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Order or any application of it to any person, structure, gathering, or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Order.

This information is from ReadyHarris.org/stay-home. Please visit the website for the full order.

How You Can Help

Visit our COVID-19 Resources page for a list of city departments, community groups, and businesses that both offer assistance to the public and provide an opportunity for residents to assist with COVID-19 response.

Speaker/Info Requests

This form is for the public to request speakers, info or other guidance from the Houston Health Department. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response.

Speaker/Info Request Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance for people who are sick

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Do not go out in public when you are sick.
  • Avoid medical settings in general unless necessary.
  • If you are ill in any way, call your doctor’s office first before going in.
  • Do not go to the emergency room unless it’s a medical emergency.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 a healthcare professional. You must call ahead before going.

Discontinuation of Home Isolation for Persons with COVID-19

General disinfecting guidance

Visit the CDC for more.

Guidance for healthcare providers