HOUSTON – The COVID-19 positivity rate in Houston is about 25%, according to Mayor Sylvester Turner. While the rate is dropping, Turner said the ideal rate is around 5%.
“We need to drive the positivity rate all the way down to 5% or below,” Turner said during a news conference Wednesday. “We still have a long way to go.”
Dr. David Persse of the Houston Health Authority said the positivity rate can decrease several ways. He said the economy could be shut back down.
Persse said residents could wait for a vaccine or herd immunity, which may take several more months. Or he reiterated that residents could wear masks, socially distance, and maintain good hygiene.
Houston Health department reported 773 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total to 38,516 cases within the city limits.
The department also confirmed 8 new coronavirus-related deaths, raising the total to 346 Houstonians.
Houston employees are among those that have died fighting coronavirus. This week, the Solid Waste Department lost a deputy assistant director and two municipal employees assigned to the Houston Police Department also died, according to the city.
346 Houstonians have lost their lives to #COVID19. And City of Houston employees are also being hit by the virus.
— Houston Mayor's Office (@houmayor) July 22, 2020
This week, we lost three more municipal employees. The Solid Waste Department lost a deputy assistant director.
Two municipal employees assigned to HPD also died.
Here is the full press conference:
COVID-19 in HoustonWATCH LIVE: Mayor Turner gives an update on Houston’s COVID-19 response. https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/07/22/watch-live-mayor-turner-gives-update-on-houstons-covid-19-response/
Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Wednesday, July 22, 2020