'Out of control': Turner responds to growing number of COVID-19 cases
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The primary focus of the news conference was to address the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Houston.
The Harris County Health Department reported more than 412 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the city's total to 26,012. Deaths in the city of Houston also increased by five, bringing the total to 250.
"Numbers are moving in the wrong direction for us. The COVID numbers in the city and state are out of control," Turner said. "The goal is for us to bring the number we are reporting daily to under 300 over a seven-day period. That will help out our hospitals."
When asked about Texas being compared to New York when it comes to COVID-19 cases, the mayor said he does not believe we have reached that level yet.
"We have seen a rise in the last six to seven months, but if our healthcare system becomes overwhelmed, that's when we will become like New York," Turner said.
He also addressed testing sites in Houston reaching capacity at an alarming rate. He said both sites at Delmar and Butler stadium are reaching capacity before noon daily.
In an effort to control those numbers, Turner said the city is opening a popup testing site location in downtown on Monday.
Turner briefly discussed the lawsuit that was filed against him by members of the Republican Party of Texas.
SEE MORE: Lawsuit filed against Mayor Turner regarding cancellation of republican party convention
Turner said that although he has not read and or seen the lawsuit for himself, he believes his actions were justified.
"The reality is that they signed a contract in March that defined this as a pandemic," Turner said. "They are welcomed to go to the courthouse, but I don't know if the court is seeing people in-person."
RELATED: Mayor Turner cancels state Republican party's convention
He also welcomed the idea of the GOP convention being moved to Montgomery County after Judge Mark Keough offered to host the convention.
WATCH: Thursday's full news conference on city's COVID-19 response
"They ( The Republican Party of Texas is) welcome to go to Montgomery County. I think Judge Keough in Montgomery County is more than happy to host the 6,000 delegates in Montgomery County. I think they should go to Montgomery County," Turner said before refusing to comment on the topic further.
The primary focus of the news conference was to address the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Houston.
The Harris County Health Department reported more than 412 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the city's total to 26,012. Deaths in the city of Houston also increased by five, bringing the total to 250.
"Numbers are moving in the wrong direction for us. The COVID numbers in the city and state are out of control," Turner said. "The goal is for us to bring the number we are reporting daily to under 300 over a seven-day period. That will help out our hospitals."
When asked about Texas being compared to New York when it comes to COVID-19 cases, the mayor said he does not believe we have reached that level yet.
"We have seen a rise in the last six to seven months, but if our healthcare system becomes overwhelmed, that's when we will become like New York," Turner said.
He also addressed testing sites in Houston reaching capacity at an alarming rate. He said both sites at Delmar and Butler stadium are reaching capacity before noon daily.
In an effort to control those numbers, Turner said the city is opening a popup testing site location in downtown on Monday.
