ToplineMultiple reports claim that Houston officials plan to place Houston at its highest Covid threat level on Thursday. They also advise residents not vaccinated to stay home. However, the advisory will not be enforced under Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's antirestrictions orders.Houstonans who are not vaccinated will be asked to remain home. However, local authorities will be unable [+] to enforce the new rules. gettyThe Key FactsHarris County, which encompasses Houston, will raise its threat level to "severe" from "significant" on Thursday. Residents are urged to "stay at home" if they have not been vaccinated. Covid is spreading rapidly in Houston due to the delta variant. Hospitals are already at capacity because of an increase in unvaccinated patients. Houston's Texas Medical Center, the largest medical facility in Texas, has reached capacity. This means that more patients can be admitted to its regular ICU. Abbott signed orders banning vaccine passports and mandating the use of masks. He also threatened to impose a $1,000 fine on any localities that implement mandates.ContraSylvester Turner, Houston Mayor (D), has defied Abbott's orders in limited ways. He announced Monday that all city employees would be required to wear masks if they are unable to socially distance themselves.What to WatchAccording to the Houston Chronicle, Houston's hospitalizations have increased 20 days in a row and are expected to surpass the pandemic record within a week.Big Number45.3% This is the Harris County's percentage that has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19a. It is lower than other large urban areas in the United States.Important BackgroundAccording to the White House Texas and Florida account for approximately one third of all new Covid cases in America. However, neither Abbott nor Florida Governor are responsible. Ron DeSantis (R), has shown no signs of compromising their anti-restrictions stances. This is a significant shift in Abbott's position from last year. To address the rapidly rising number of hospitalizations in Texas, Abbott issued a mandate for statewide use of masks in July 2020. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 7,652 people were being hospitalized in Texas with Covid-19 when Abbott issued his mandate. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 7,685 Covid-19-infected patients were in Texas as of the last update.TangentLouisiana reimposed a statewide mask mandate on Wednesday to respond to the delta surge.Continue readingHidalgo will move Harris County to the highest COVID threat level and urge unvaccinated residents to stay at home (Houston Chronicle).Floridas DeSantis Signing Order To Block Mask Mandates In Schools (Forbes)Texas Mandates Mask Wearing (Forbes)Florida and Texas Cities Mandate Masks Despite Statewide BansLouisiana is the First State to Reissue a Statewide Indoor Mask Mandat in the Face of Covid Surge. Here's where other States stand (Forbes).Live updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
