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COVID-19 Updates: Southeast Texas receives nearly $1M in recovery grants; Gov. Abbott to hold roundtable on upcoming flu season

Here is a look at some of the latest coronavirus news and updates for Thursday.

BEAUMONT, Texas — This article contains ongoing U.S. and international updates on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects. Here are some key updates for Thursday, August 6, 2020. You can find more details by scrolling through the story which we are updating throughout the day. The newest items will be at the top.

Today's Headlines:

Aug. 6, 11:10 a.m. — Gov. Greg Abbott will hold a roundtable Thursday regarding the state's approach to flu season during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The roundtable is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. with a news conference to follow at 12:30 p.m.

The governor's office said it will take place at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. 

Aug. 6, 10:40 a.m. — U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced today the city of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange were awarded a total of $942,391 in another round of federal grants to help public housing authorities recover from the economic fallout of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

This is a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program fund assignment for the CARES Act. According to the news release, the Housing Authority of the City of Beaumont received $304,173. Port Arthur’s Housing Authority received $491,468 and Orange’s received $146,750.

Aug. 6, 6:30 a.m. — Coronavirus testing is available today in Port Arthur  and Orange County.

Lamar State College Port Arthur's Carl Parker Multipurpose Center at 1800 Lakeshore Dr. for FREE from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Valid ID required. To expedite testing register online.

Orange County Convention & Expo Center, 11475 FM 1442, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

RELATED: Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

MORE | Find more COVID-19 testing sites in Texas

Aug. 6, 6 a.m. — After more than a week’s worth of meetings, at least some clarity is emerging in the bipartisan Washington talks on a huge COVID-19 response bill. Negotiators are still stuck, but still trying.

A combative meeting Wednesday involving top Capitol Hill Democrats and the postmaster general and a souring tone from both sides indicate that a long slog remains, and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows threatened afterward that President Donald Trump is exploring options to use executive authority to extend a partial eviction ban and address unemployment benefits.

After some movement Tuesday in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s direction on aid to states and local governments and unemployment insurance benefits, Wednesday's session offered no breakthroughs or major progress, participants said afterward.

Aug. 6, 5 a.m. — At the last minute, President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, are searching for places to impressively yet safely accept their parties' presidential nominations as the spread of the coronavirus adds fresh uncertainty to the campaign for the White House.

Trump said Wednesday he's considering giving his Aug. 27 acceptance speech on the grounds of the White House, a move that could violate ethics law. Biden, meanwhile, scrapped plans to accept the Democratic nomination on Aug. 20 in Milwaukee, where the party has spent more than a year planning a massive convention.

Presidential conventions are a staple of American politics and have played out against national traumas as significant as the Civil War and World War II. But the pandemic's potency is proving to be a tougher obstacle, denying both candidates crucial opportunities to connect with supporters in the final stretch before the Nov. 3 election.

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Here’s the breakdown by county of coronavirus cases for the eight-county Southeast Texas region...

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Coronavirus symptoms

The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.

But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.

The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.

Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...

  • The air by coughing or sneezing
  • Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

Help stop the spread of coronavirus 

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Eat and sleep separately from your family members
  • Use different utensils and dishes
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
  • If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash

Lower your risk

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.

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