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Houston's COVID-19 positivity rate down to 7.8%, but mayor expresses concern for upcoming Labor Day weekend

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said that with the Labor Day weekend approaching, now isn't the time to relax on social-distancing efforts.

HOUSTON — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner talked about the city's response to COVID-19 as well as how the city is collecting donations for Hurricane Laura victims during a news conference on Monday.

Turner said that following social-distancing protocols during the upcoming Labor Day weekend is especially important in order to avoid what has happened after other recent holiday weekends.

Coronavirus testing came to a halt in Houston last week as Hurricane Laura made her final approach. Luckily, the hurricane missed Houston, but coronavirus is still a major concern.

Turner stressed to Houstonians that they should be tested in order to keep better tabs on the virus. He also urged people to continue wearing masks in public and when in gatherings of more than one person.

Turner said the city's positivity rate is down to 7.8%, just shy of his 5% goal by the end of August. The city's health department reported eight new COVID-19 deaths and 158 new cases.

With Hurricane Laura no longer a threat, Houston is refocusing its resources on the community and coronavirus.

Dr. David Persse with the Houston Health Department believes Houstonians may have tapped the brakes a bit on testing to prepare for Laura, but he says now that the hurricane is gone, it's time for residents to refocus their energy back on COVID-19. 

RELATED: COVID-19 test sites back up after Hurricane Laura, public urged to get tested

“I would like to think that people would want to get themselves tested early so we can stop the virus spreading in our neighborhoods and our families before we get to the point where all the hospitalization numbers are going up," Persse said.

Turner and the city, along with local businesses and organizations like Gallery Furniture and Kroger, are setting up a donation drive  -- called "Houston's Paying It Forward" -- to collect supplies for residents who were impacted by Laura.

The task force will start accepting donations on Tuesday, Sept. 1. at several locations, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Gallery Furniture on the North Freeway and several Kroger locations.

For more information on the donation drive, click here

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