The following story excerpts are courtesy of our partners at KHOU 11.
Harris County ZIP codes with the most Covid-19 cases: Parts of Sharpstown, Katy seeing more than others
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Covid-19 cases are still surging in Harris County.
"We've seen specific areas, or ZIP codes, within the county where it seems to be higher cases than others," said Dr. Sherri Onyiego with Harris County Public Health.
You can find your specific neighborhood on Harris County's online dashboard.
"This virus doesn't have any geographical, ZIP code or boundary restraints," Onyiego said. "Just because it appears to be higher in one area in the county doesn't mean it's not happening everywhere."
Click here to read more from Marcelino Benito.
Hispanic community being hit hardest by Covid-19
HOUSTON — There is a push to raise awareness about the dangers of Covid-19 in the Hispanic community.
City of Houston and health officials said the Latino community is the most negatively affected demographic in our region.
Dr. Shannon Guillot-Wright, associate professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, said health and social inequities are leading to a rise in cases among Hispanics.
For example, long lines at the Mexican consulate in Houston for free testing show the need for testing sites aimed at reaching a vulnerable group in this community.
“It could be not having a government issued ID and so not going to get tested. It could be a fear of the healthcare system in general," Dr. Guillot-Wright said.
According to data, more Hispanics have died in Harris County due to coronavirus than any other ethnic group.
However, Hispanics also make up almost 45 percent of the county’s population.
Click here to read more from KHOU's David Gonzalez.
Here's why Covid-19 deaths in Houston may be under-counted
HOUSTON — Mayor Sylvester Turner said coronavirus is out of control in Houston and in the state.
With over 26,000 Covid-19 cases, Houston is a hot spot in the global pandemic that has already claimed 250 lives here.
Turner reported five new deaths Thursday, July 9. Four of the five were Hispanics with other health conditions. One was in his 30s.
Hispanics are being hit especially hard with new cases, hospitalizations and deaths. City leaders are concerned undocumented immigrants may be afraid to get tested but Turner stressed they will not be asked for papers.
Houston Health Authority Dr. David Persse pointed out the total number of deaths doesn't include the patients who die at home before first responders can get them to the hospital. He said they've seen a steady rise in DOAs since the pandemic began and there were 18 in one day earlier this week.
Click here to read more from KHOU's Michelle Homer.
Harvard study: Texas needs to do more Covid-19 testing
HOUSTON — Texas is doing considerably fewer Covid-19 tests than it should to make a dent in the pandemic, according to the math done by scientists at Harvard.
“We believe it's important to communicate to not just the policymakers and the researchers the current risk level for Covid-19 transmission in the community, but more importantly, is to communicate that to the public,” said Houston-area native Dr. Thomas Tsai, assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The goal is to control the pandemic Dr. Tsai said, and robust testing is one of several necessary steps in getting there.