Fort Bend Co. Has Moved From High to Moderate COVID-19 Risk Level.
As of Tuesday, September 1, Fort Bend Co. has moved from high COVID-19 risk to a moderate one. The county judge, however, still urges residents to keep their guards up and maintain COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
The red 'High Community Risk' has been decreased to an orange 'Moderate to Significant Community Risk,' which is a small change, but still a step forward. The County Judge KP George, according to FOX26, says that "Governor Abbott's statewide mask order and the prohibition on mass gatherings is showing positive results."
"Labor day is around the corner, teachers are heading back into in-person education, and nursing homes have relaxed rules for visitation," Judge George says. He also asks that residents continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing protocols and to also be aware of their risks for the benefit of society. The goal is to keep the county moving in a positive direction.
The criteria on COVID-19 Community Risk Levels states that to move from red to orange level, a 14-day decrease in COVID-19 cases must occur and that the trend in daily hospitalizations and ICU beds from such patients should be less than 15% of the hospital population. For Fort Bend to move lower than orange to a yellow level, the 'low to moderate community risk,' then those same guidelines should be met along with a 14-day average decrease in positive cases and less than 10% of hospitalizations and ICU beds should be attributed to COVID-19.
At the current orange level, the "health care system has adequate capacity but could be exceeded if multiple outbreaks occur," so caution should very well still be exercised [FOX26].
Fort Bend county must follow these guidelines when at the orange level:
"-avoid and cancel gatherings of 10-25 people
-avoid non-essential business and personal travel
-use public transportation with caution
-practice good hygiene and social distancing
-cancel visits to nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and hospitals."
FOX26.
SOURCE: FOX26