Thursday, December 17, 2020; 5 p.m.

New COVID-19 Texas Vaccination Data Dashboard
A new dashboard is available through the Texas Department of State Health Services showing COVID-19 vaccination data in Texas. The dashboard has many aspects of important information in sum and by county for variables including vaccine distribution, type of organizations receiving the distributions, doses administered and people vaccinated. View the dashboard.

COVID-19 Testing — Insurance Updates, Second Testing Site Open
Testing is taking place at The Woodlands Township Town Hall, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands, Texas 77381., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Customers are asked to submit their insurance information. Testing is offered at no cost to the customer. Customers without insurance will still be tested at no personal cost using coverage from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. Please note, WALK-UPS WELCOME.
 
Curative has added a second testing site in The Woodlands, hosted by the Township, at Sterling Ridge Park and Ride, 8001 McBeth Way. The site opened December 15, 2020, and will remain open through January 31, 2021. It is a “self-serve” drive-thru operation with hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 
 
Please note the following holiday hours for both sites below. These may be different from hours that were published previously:

• Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24, 2020 – Closed
• Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2020 – Closed
• New Year’s Eve: Thursday, December 31, 2020 – Closed
• New Year’s Day: Friday, January 1, 2021 – Closed

For more information about COVID-19 testing by Curative, please visit the Township website, or www.curative.com.

County News
Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count December 17, 2020
Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, can sadly confirm two additional deaths related to COVID-19.

• A man in his 50s, from Spring, died in the hospital. There were no co-morbidities noted on his death certificate.
• A man in his 80s, from Conroe, died in the hospital. He had co-morbidities in addition to testing positive for COVID-19.

• TOTAL cases of COVID-19 increased by 234 to 22,241 since yesterday’s (12/16) report. Of the 234 new cases, 230 were tested since 12/01/2020.
• ACTIVE cases of COVID-19 increased by 106 to 5,833 since yesterday’s (12/16) report.
• 38 residents are known, as a result of contact investigations, to be in the hospital. Contact investigations have not been initiated on all reported cases.
• 12,617 people have clinically recovered.

The Testing Positivity Rate for Montgomery County is 13%. This number is updated weekly on Wednesdays. Source: UT Health, School of Public Health.

Follow CDC guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

• Avoid groups of people.
• Practice social distancing.
• Wear a mask in public (over your nose and mouth) or with others who live outside your household. Never share a mask with others.
• Teach children proper hygiene and the correct way to wear a mask.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
• Disinfect surfaces in your car and around your home.

*These numbers include PCR and rapid antigen testing. We do not include antibody testing. Have questions? Please go to https://mcphd-tx.org/ and scroll down to the FAQs.  

SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC)
SETRAC is a powerful coalition of providers, responders, and other healthcare related partners united together to save lives and improve health outcomes through research, education and collaboration. You can find more information on their website, setrac.org.
 
Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) publishes their daily case count, combined with the City of Houston's daily case count, here. Cases by zip code in Harris County can be found by clicking on areas of the map.
 
The Village of Creekside Park is located in two zip codes: 77375 and 77389, and these also include Magnolia, Augusta Pines/Auburn Lakes/West Rayford Road in northwest Harris County. Today, Harris County is reporting zip code 77375 has 2,050 confirmed positive cases with 345 active cases, and 77389 has 1,145 confirmed positive cases with 213 active cases. 

COVID-19 Case Count Brief from The Woodlands Fire Department
All numbers since 12/15/2020

Montgomery County 
22,241 – Confirmed  +633
5,833 – Active  +408
185 – Deaths +2
12,617 – Recovered +223
38 – Hospitalized +5

Harris County
106,291- Confirmed +1,659
13,507 - Active Cases -432
1,055 - Deaths +7
91,714 - Recovered +2,084
 
Montgomery County Testing
Do you have questions regarding COVID-19 or COVID-19 testing? The Montgomery County COVID-19 Call Center’s number is 936-523-3916. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
Harris County Testing
Residents may also sign up for free COVID-19 testing online at hcphtx.org. Call 832-927-7575 for more information.
 

National News

Coronavirus Q and As for Consumers
The FDA is working to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak to keep you and your family informed on the latest developments. Visit the FDA’s website for answers to some frequently asked questions from consumers about vaccines.
 
It’s a Good Time to Get Your Flu Vaccine
While the United States remains focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to be aware of flu season as winter approaches, with activity peaking between December and February. Getting vaccinated now can lower your chances of getting the flu. Flu vaccines approved by the FDA provide important benefits and are your best defense from flu and its potential complications. Learn more from the FDA.

CDC Recommendations for Winter Celebrations, Travel and Other Activities
Enjoy the holidays and take steps to protect yourself from getting or spreading COVID-19. The safest way to celebrate winter holidays is to celebrate at home with the people you live with. Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. Read the full article for more information on holiday travel, tips to stay safe, safer celebrations and other winter holiday activities.

CDC Vaccine Update
The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in people aged 16 years and older for the prevention of COVID-19.
 
Because the supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States will be limited at first, CDC recommends that initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccine be allocated to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents. The recommendations were made with the following goals in mind: Decrease death and serious disease as much as possible; Preserve functioning of society; and Reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities.
 
Read the following CDC articles for more information. 8 Things to Know About the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program, When Vaccine is Limited, Who Gets Vaccinated First?, Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination.
 
Keep Up with Best Practices During the Pandemic at CDC.GOV
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

COVID-19 Vaccines are in the Pipeline; Beware of Scammers
Reports about the release of COVID-19 vaccines are promising, but plans for distribution are still being worked out. While we wait for a timeline and more information on the roll-out of the vaccines, there’s no doubt scammers will be scheming. Read the full article for what you need to know to avoid a vaccine-related scam. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a new website, ReportFraud.ftc.gov, where consumers can easily report fraud and all other consumer issues directly to the FTC.

Federal Trade Commission Offers Tips to Avoid Misgiving
It’s the sixth day of Consumer Protection, and maybe you’re in a giving spirit. If you like to donate to charities at the end of the year, ‘tis the time to make sure your donations get to the places you mean them to go. Because this year, lots of charities could really use the help. As you’re getting those year-end emails and phone calls from charities: don’t be rushed into giving. heck out the charity before you give, don’t pay in cash, with a gift card, or by wiring money. Read more from the Federal Trade Commission.
 

State News

Governor Provides Update On COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference where he provided an update on the statewide COVID-19 vaccine distribution at the UPS Distribution Center in Austin. This week, about 95,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been delivered to 23 different sites throughout the state of Texas. By the end of the month, over a million vaccines will have been distributed. Read the full press release.
 
Governor Attends Operation Warp Speed Briefing
On Monday, December 14, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott visited the White House where he attended a briefing on Operation Warp Speed with Vice President Mike Pence and other state and federal leaders. The leaders discussed the ongoing COVID-19 response and the vaccine distribution currently taking place across the country and in Texas. The first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Texas on Sunday, December 13, 2020. 19,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were delivered on December 13, and an additional 19 sites will receive 75,075 doses on December 14. Read the full press release.
 
COVID-19 Vaccination Program Activated for Long-Term Care Staff, Residents
On Friday, December 11, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott announced that the State of Texas will participate in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, a federal program to vaccinate residents and staff of long-term care facilities against COVID-19. The program is free of charge and sends staff and Pfizer vaccines from Walgreens and CVS locations to these facilities. The first vaccines included in this program will be provided to pharmacies the week of December 21, 2020, and the program will begin December 28, 2020. Read the full press release.
 

Around the Township
Travel Confidently in The Woodlands
Making travel plans this holiday season? Whether you’re looking to stay in The Woodlands or just here for the day, don’t forget to #WearAMask. Wearing a mask and social distancing are some of the ways you can #TravelConfidently in The Woodlands.

Local hotels are offering special offers for the holidays, check out the Visit The Woodlands website to book directly. All of The Woodlands hotel properties are open and have implemented enhanced health and safety procedures, as recommended by the CDC. To learn more, click on the "COVID-19 Updates" button within each hotel listing. Read additional information from the CDC regarding holiday travel.
 

Community Resources
Numerous resources are available in the community for support. These vary from food banks to financial assistance and much more. Please visit the Community Resources webpage to find more information about resources in the community related to COVID-19.
 
The Woodlands Township COVID-19 eNewsletter
The Woodlands Township COVID-19 (Coronavirus) informational enewsletter is published every Tuesday and Thursday and as needed.

Manage your notifications and subscriptions.

Township’s Coronavirus Page
The Woodlands Township’s COVID-19 page can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page features Montgomery and Harris county hubs, community resources and news from the Federal Government and the CDC. It also includes the latest news from the Township, partner agencies, important links, FAQs, live Twitter feeds and more.
 
Stay Connected with The Woodlands Township
Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township through our many communications channels. Learn more and sign up at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.
Sign up directly for news and alerts from the Township at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/notifyme. Additional information can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/emergency.

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The Woodlands Township publishes this update to inform residents and businesses regarding COVID-19 and its impact on The Woodlands Township. Please sign up for Township news and notifications at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/notifyme. This newsletter is published every Tuesday and Thursday, or as needed.