COVID-19 information, links and resources

We’ve compiled links to resources and included two interactive maps that you can use to track the spread of the new coronavirus.

WHAT’S NEW

The Central Texas Food Bank will distribute food from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Aug. 28 at Temple College at 2600 South 1st St. in Temple.

WHO’S HIRING IN CENTRAL TEXAS

VACCINE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

IRS STIMULUS CHECK STATUS

The Central Texas Food Bank will distribute food from 10 a.m. to noon on May 27 at Waco ISD Stadium at 1401 South New Road.

05.18.21: Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order prohibiting governmental entities in Texas — including counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities, or government officials — from requiring or mandating mask wearing. Public schools may continue to follow current mask-wearing guidelines through June 4. After June 4, no student, teacher, parent, or other staff member or visitor can be required to wear a mask while on campus.

03.23.21: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission updated its long-term care facility visitation rules Tuesday, expanding visitation statewide. Fully vaccinated residents of nursing facilities are now allowed to visit in-person with family members and friends provided proper safeguards are in place including the use of face masks.

12.08.20: COVID-19 HOSPITAL DATA COVERAGE REPORT provides U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data on hospitalizations in the U.S. in spreadsheet form.

09.23.20: TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID-19 DATA is now online.

09.17.20: n The Waco-based Heart of Texas MHMR Center has created a web page through which area residents may access the #TexansRecoveringTogether Crisis Counseling Program, which “uses a strength-based, outreach approach that utilizes crisis counselors to meet individuals or groups in non-traditional, and virtual, settings in the community to promote resilience, empowerment and recovery.”

09.17.20: The Texas Education Agency and the state Department of State Health Services have created a website that provides an overview of COVID-19 cases in public schools. District level data will be available starting on Sept. 23.

09.14.20: THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN COVID-19 MODELING CONSORTIUM DASHBOARD tracks the spread and impact of the virus in the state’s metro areas including Waco and Belton-Killeen.

COVID-19 DATA

Texas statewide and county COVID-19 dashboard

Johns Hopkins worldwide tracking map

INFORMATION LINKS

COVID-19 information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

COVID-19 information from the Texas Department of State Health Services

Opening the State of Texas

Check on the status of your IRS stimulus check

Apply for unemployment benefits online

Texas state agencies

COVID-19 information from the Bell County Health District

COVID-19 information Waco-McLennan County Health District

COVID-19 information from Coryell County

COVID-19 information from Milam County

COVID-19 information from Navarro County

Information from the Texas Education Agency

OFFLINE RESOURCES

Heart of Texas MHMR hotline: 1-866-752-3451.

Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, provides immediate crisis counseling to people affected by the coronavirus pandemic

*Bell County has established a COVID-19 phone bank to help better answer questions within the community. The phone bank will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Calls received after hours and weekends will roll to 211. The number for the phone bank is 254-933-5203.

The City of Copperas Cove has established a COVID-19 Hotline at (254)542-8920. The hotline may be utilized as another resource by citizens who are seeking further information and wish to speak with a city staff member. The COVID-19 hotline will be available starting on March 26 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Residents may also find information https://www.facebook.com/cityofcopperascove/ “>on the city’s Facebook page and http://www.copperascovetx.gov/pio/covid-19/”>on the city’s website.

The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, provides immediate crisis counseling to people affected by the coronavirus pandemic The Helpline is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week and free resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling and support in dealing with the traumatic effects of a natural or human-caused disaster.

The City of Killeen has activated a COVID-19 hotline to answer questions related to the situation by phone. The phone number is 254-616-3209. Operators are available Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Salvation Army emotional and spiritual care hotline available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week at 844-458-HOPE

Texas Health and Human Services has launched a 24/7 statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This new resource offers COVID-19-related mental health support for all Texans. People can call the Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919.

Texas Health and Human Services encourages all Texans in need of COVID-19 information and referrals to community resources to call the 2-1-1 Texas hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Texans, no matter where they live, can dial 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 and select option 6 to get information and referrals to COVID-19 social services, including testing, community clinics, unemployment benefits and more. Texans can also dial 2-1-1 to find information about local community resources such as financial assistance for utilities or rent and food pantries, housing assistance, crisis counseling, utility payment assistance, and senior services.

Fort Hood has established a hotline for personnel seeking information about the virus at (254) 553-6612.

Also:

COVID-19 ER Hotline: (254) 252-9387

COVID-19 Clinic Provider: (254) 252-2491

As the coronavirus crisis sparks concern and uncertainty across the nation, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief (SBTC Disaster Relief) has responded by making chaplains available to the public through a simple phone call. The toll-free number (1-800-921-3287) will allow people to visit with a chaplain to receive prayer and encouragement. The phone number will be available to call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for as long as the crisis remains.

COUNTIES AND CITIES

City of Copperas Cove

City of Gatesville

FALLS COUNTY