Ports reveal unprecedented surge in harmful emissions; officials blame COVID-19 logjam
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Environmental regulators are blaming record flooding and a devastating oil refinery fire in Houston as major sources of air pollution that are worsening the state’s air pollution problem during the pandemic.
That’s a huge understatement on a daily basis. And it reflects just how challenging it’s been for environmental regulators to keep pace with the state’s smog problems during the pandemic, which has been linked to more than 3,000 premature deaths in the city of Houston as hundreds of thousands of residents have been ordered to stay home.
“The only way we’ll be able to prevent further deterioration is if it’s not too late,” Roberta Dutkiewicz, a Texas Department of State Health Services spokeswoman, said Thursday.
Here’s the latest:
April
COVID-19 has been connected to nearly 1,500 premature deaths in Texas, according to state health department data.
According to data from the state, there have been 16,955 cases of COVID-19 in the state overall and 658 have died. Texas has more than 1,500 COVID-19 cases, and six have died.
Of the 16,955 cases, 8,711 are in Harris County.
April
Two hospitals in the Houston area face “significant risks” to their ability to safely treat COVID-19 patients, city officials said.
Two Houston hospitals will have to operate at reduced capacity during the pandemic – the Memorial Hermann Hospital, which is owned by the city, and Texas Medical Center, which is operated by Baylor College of Medicine. Hospitals in Harris County are under increased pressure to address the health issues of the population, with more than 20,000 cases and 11 deaths.
The city has had to close six restaurants and bars and has imposed restrictions on restaurants and bars in various locations across the city – including the Galleria and the Galleria at Downtown. The city also has had to close more than 450 city-run facilities, which include hotels, gyms, libraries, schools, and public parks.
“The people of Houston have been working around the