Dr. Anthony S. Fauci has said as many as half of those infected with the coronavirus may not have any symptoms. There is, however, some positive news to share: Estimates show the stay-at-home orders in Houston and Harris County are preventing deaths and hospitalizations. Here’s a look at the impact.

It’s been two weeks today since the stay-at-home order went into effect in Houston and Harris County on March 24. We all have made adjustments in our daily lives that may feel costly and difficult. Many gig workers and those in the travel, retail and restaurant industries have been laid off or seen their hours dramatically reduced. With so much uncertainty surrounding this pandemic, it can be hard to believe the effects of the stringent measures we face are worth the price we are paying.

Our ongoing “COVID-19 and Cities” coverage examines the pandemic’s effects on Houston and other metropolitan areas, both now and once the outbreak is over.

To provide some clarity in the midst of confusion, we used epidemiologists’ COVID-19 models to estimate the number of hospitalizations and deaths that can be prevented in Harris County between now and June by collective adherence to the stay-at-home order.

The Kinder Institute is part of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership (NNIP), a collaborative effort by the Urban Institute and local partners to further the development and use of neighborhood information systems in local policymaking and community building. All local partner organizations from more than 30 cities have been meeting weekly to discuss how the network can help provide communities with data in response to COVID-19. We are grateful to San Antonio’s CI: Now for help in developing and disseminating the methodology behind the infographic.

See the full infographic.