Local & National Resources
Helplines
- Harris County “Ask a Nurse” Hotline
713.634.1110 (9am – 7pm, 7 days a week)
Intended for residents of Harris County who do not have access to healthcare - United Way Help Line – 211
Other Resources
- Department of States Health Services
- TexProtects Guide for Parents and Families
- Essential Workers Childcare Assistance
- Houston Health Department
- Harris County Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- CDC Travelers Health Notice
- University of Houston Community Coronavirus Information
- PBS: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
- Health Matters
Surveys
Local News Coverage
Coronavirus
As WHO ends COVID-19 global emergency, Houston expert says virus is still around but numbers ‘dramatically’ down
Posted on · “This signals, the transition from a pandemic to an endemic, we just to have to learn to how to deal with it.”
Listen Live at 3pm or
Download the Podcast
The Latest from Town Square
Health & Science
WHO ends global health emergency declaration for COVID-19
Posted on · The World Health Organization today lifted its Public Health Emergency of International Concern for COVID-19. That declaration went into effect three years ago on Jan. 30, 2020.
Coronavirus
CDC offers new guidelines on COVID-19 vaccinations, recommending booster amid new variant
Posted on · A new omicron variant known as XBB.1.16 emerged in India, and positive cases have already been recorded in Harris County.
Health & Science
Baylor College pilot study finds electrical stimulation can potentially improve lower extremity muscle perfusion caused by long COVID
Posted on · Research is still in its early stage, but experts said it could be a treatment for those who show minimal atrophy, weakness, pain, fatigue, and those whose respiratory systems were affected because of long COVID.
Houston Matters
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic in Houston as the national emergency ends
Posted on · Dr. David Persse, the city's chief medical officer, looks back at the last three years and discusses what still concerns him about COVID-19.
Coronavirus
Houston doctor’s $25 million COVID-19 defamation suit against Houston Methodist dismissed
Posted on · Dr. Mary Bowden, who worked for the health system as an ear, nose and throat specialist, was publicly criticized by Houston Methodist for opinions she expressed about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
Coronavirus
Houston experts agree annual COVID-19 shot best way to keep people protected
Posted on · Nationally, only around 15% of people report having gotten the most recent bivalent booster. In Harris County, numbers are even lower.
Coronavirus
FDA considers major shift in COVID vaccine strategy
Posted on · The new approach would simplify vaccination guidance so that, every fall, people would get a new shot, updated to try to match whatever variant is dominant.
Health & Science
Some enrollees for Texas Medicaid health insurance will be ineligible for coverage under new rules
Posted on · A new report from Texas A&M and the Episcopal Health Foundation shows an increase of 1.6 million Texans joining Medicaid since the beginning of the pandemic.
Coronavirus
COVID-19 numbers increase in Houston region as vaccine immunity wanes, fatigue in precautions
Posted on · Health officials have pointed to waning vaccine immunity throughout Harris County as a reason for the surge.
Coronavirus
You can order free COVID tests again by mail
Posted on · People are gathering indoors for the holidays, and there's been an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The federal government says you should test often to try to prevent the spread of the virus.
Housing
Why some Texas cities and counties had to return millions of dollars meant to help renters during the pandemic
Posted on · For some local relief programs, a lack of staffing, political support and effective community outreach got in the way of spending federal funds to prevent evictions, a new report found. More than $30 million went unspent and had to be returned.
Health & Science
Long COVID: Tell us how it’s impacting your life
Posted on · Houston Public Media is looking to further report on the ripple effects Long COVID is having in people’s lives, whether financial, educational, physical or emotional.
News
Virtually all PPP loans have been forgiven with limited scrutiny
Posted on · Officials promised a robust review process before forgiving PPP loans, but most loans could be forgiven with a simple, one-page form. Meanwhile, just 2% of loans have gotten close, hands-on reviews.
News
Early signs a new U.S. COVID surge could be on its way
Posted on · Here we go again. The virus is starting to surge in many European countries and there are early signs a wave may be starting in the U.S. too.
Health & Science
Long COVID is pulling Texans out of work
Posted on · The illness is contributing to a growing population of disabled Americans.
Coronavirus Prevention
News from NPR
