Hospital leaders react to lowering of Harris County COVID-19 threat level Harris County's COVID-19 Threat Level reduced to orange Now that the threat level has decreased, Harris County will open all building occupancy to 50 percent capacity. Visitors to county buildings are still asked to wear masks and physical distance. Houston - Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo calls the COVID-19 vaccines "a game-changer" and one of the main reasons the county is lowering its COVID-19 threat level. FOX 26 reached out to local hospitals, both large and small, to compare how COVID-19 hospitalization look now compared to the peaks last summer and during the winter holidays.