All PostSeptember 15, 2020by adminWere very close.: Why Harris County Judge says shes not yet ready to lower COVID-19 threat level but could do so soon – KPRC Click2Houston

HOUSTON– As crucial metrics like the infection rate and ICU hospitalizations pattern downward for the very first time in months, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says its not yet time to minimize the countys COVID-19 hazard level.At present, Harris County is at the greatest danger level: Red level 1. Hidalgo told KPRC 2 Monday that downsizing to orange on the COVID-19 Threat Level system is on the horizon.Harris County COVID-19 Threat Level System (KPRC)”We can go to orange in a matter of days, you understand, a week or two. We could if we keep at it. If those trends continue decreasing, but its up to everybody. Were not rather there, were really close,” she said.Hidalgo pointed to favorable signs like the hospitalizations being down in addition to the number of COVID-19 patients being dealt with in ICUs.”The other indicator that we have for going to orange is having the portion of the ICU that is COVID favorable being below 15% and we crossed that just today,” she said.But other numbers are not where they need to be, Hidalgo stated.”The positivity rate in Harris County is around 8% we required to be at 5. The other one holds true counts. Were seeing an average of about 450 cases a day or so we require that to be at 400,” she said.Doctors concur that the general story of Harris Countys current coronavirus information is favorable but warn citizens to not let up on health and security practices. “The sole factor were doing much better is due to the fact that we are masking, distancing, managing habits, avoiding aggregation of individuals in small areas, avoiding public gatherings, all that good and tough work its truly settled whichs why we have control of the infection right now and that needs to continue,” stated Dr. James McDeavitt of the Baylor College of Medicine.Experts warn the numbers might surge up again in the next weeks with possible brand-new cases from Labor Day and trainees going back to in-person learning.Monday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner likewise stated the area is headed on the ideal track. Turner said the citys positivity rate is at 6.1% and going down. The positivity rate is reducing, it has not reached the 5% and below goal. Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights scheduled.