The largest county in Texas, Harris County with 4.7 million residents, used its emergency alert system Tuesday to ask people to cancel Thanksgiving gatherings because the area has seen a 250% spike in coronavirus cases, Newsweek reports.
“COVID-19 is spreading rapidly across Harris County. Stop gatherings. Get tested. Wear a mask,” the alert said.
Texas has averaged more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases daily over the past week, and hospital capacity is nearing its peak in many areas around the state.
During a Tuesday press conference, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo implored residents to take protective actions. “Today, I want to urge every resident in Harris County to do two things. First to cancel gatherings, large and small, unless you’re with your household. This is simply not the time for gatherings and get-togethers with people you don’t share a home with.”