Harris County COVID-19 Threat Level Raised from Yellow to Orange

Judge Hidalgo just raised Harris County COVID-19 threat level from yellow to orange on Thursday.

Amid the dramatic upturn in the number of hospitalizations due to coronavirus, the level was raised, and new guidelines have been suggested. This is the first time the emergency threat level has been raised since it was lowered in May.

The guidelines, while voluntary, suggest everyone – vaccinated or not – wear a mask to protect the unvaccinated population, and the unvaccinated population avoid “contact with others, avoid any medium or large gatherings, and only visit permissible businesses that follow public health guidance.”

Data shows the 14-day trend to have an increase of 33 cases per day.

With only 44 percent of Harris County’s eligible population vaccinated, Judge Hidalgo hopes to act to lessen the effects of the potential fourth wave of COVID-19.