Houston coronavirus updates: What you need to know for March 31

Crowds have flocked to Galveston beaches for a second weekend in a row, according to ABC-13's Roxie Bustamante. Crowds have flocked to Galveston beaches for a second weekend in a row, according to ABC-13's Roxie Bustamante. Photo: Roxie Bustamante/Twittere Photo: Roxie Bustamante/Twittere Image 1 of / 122 Caption Close Houston coronavirus updates: What you need to know for March 31 1 / 122 Back to Gallery

Chron.com is compiling the latest headlines on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the Houston area.

3:41 p.m.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Tuesday announced that in addition to extending the county's stay-at-home order to April 30, she will also order that nonviolent defendants be released from the Harris County Jail.

"This is obviously an unprecedented situation," Hidalgo said, adding that the county can't afford to wait any longer to make this decision. She said without action, the jail could become "the epicenter of a catastrophe," overwhelming Houston's hospital system.

In League City, 10 city employees have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Tuesday afternoon. Seven of the 10 employees work with the fire marshal's office, and the other three are police officers.

Craving your favorite Tex-Mex food? Alex Padilla, executive chef at The Original Ninfa's on Navigation, will show you and your kids how to make it in his new YouTube series. "It's an opportunity for parents to spend time with their kids," Padilla told Chron.com reporter Marcy de Luna.

2:40 p.m.

Governor Abbott has announced that Texas schools will remain closed until at least May 4.

"BREAKING: @GovAbbott announces Texas schools will stay closed until at least May 4," tweeted Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau reporter Taylor Goldenstein."

1:40 p.m.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is expected on Tuesday to extend the county's stay-at-home order through April 30, according to three county officials with knowledge of the plan.

11:30 a.m.

How does one celebrate a milestone in the wake of coronavirus? For two Houston-area kids, firefighters and first responders showed up to put on big birthday parades. For 12-year-old Evan of Tomball, the gesture meant more to his family than most will probably ever know or understand. Evan was adopted after his father was killed in a car wreck and his mother was incarcerated.

And in Houston, firefighters surprised 3-year-old Jason "Pablo" Johnson by bringing their fire truck out to his neighborhood after his party was canceled.

Wondering when you'll get that federal stimulus check? The IRS has a Q&A about how taxpayers will receive their funds.

Walmart and Sam's Club have announced new safety measures for employees, including temperature checks, masks and gloves.

And now for a goat invasion: the horned beasts have taken over a Welsh town after the people retreated indoors under coroanvirus quarantine. Check out the photos of goats running the streets.

8:15 a.m.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says the county could extend its Stay Home, Work Safe order past the initial cut-off date slated for Friday. An announcement on the order's extension is expected today.

The news of the possible extension comes after the Trump administration updated its social distancing guidelines suggesting shelter-in-place-style orders, such as Harris County's, ought to be extended another 30 days.

LATEST:

A free COVID-19 testing site will open at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land today. The site will welcome anyone who believes they have symptoms of coronavirus or has been in contact with another person diagnosed with coronavirus.

HOW WE GOT HERE: A timeline of the coronavirus pandemic in Houston

Whole Foods workers are planning a "sick-out" today to call for better working conditions. The company is owned by Amazon.

A federal judge has ruled that Texas may not ban abortions under the state's coronavirus-related ban on medically unnecessary procedures. The state had previously threatened doctors with fines or jail time for performing abortions, Bloomberg reports.

The temporary restraining order will be in effect until April 13.

Check back for updates throughout the day.