Where are tests? Are the courts open? We answer your Fort Worth coronavirus questions.
Updated March 19, 10:40 a.m.
We know this is a scary, complicated time for many residents of Tarrant County and elsewhere across North Texas. So we’ve been taking your questions and, with the backing of medical experts and information given by public officials, we’re trying to offer some clarity.
Here are answers to some of the questions we have received about the coronavirus and its effects on the Fort Worth area. And please send any questions by filling out this form. We are also directly responding to people who have questions over email.
I would like to know when and how to get tested.
Many people have expressed confusion over how to get a test. For now, the best way for a person to get a test requires these steps: Contact your primary care doctor, if you have one. The doctor will be able to tell you where and whether you need a test. Usually you are only able to get tested if you have symptoms like fever, cough or trouble breathing). And if you have symptoms, you should be staying home and away from others, according to the CDC.
If you don’t have a doctor, you could go to an urgent care (but call ahead), or call 2-1-1 for assistance with finding a doctor or medical clinic, especially if you are uninsured.
Your doctor will then decide if you need a test and could help you get a test from a Public Health Department Lab or through a private lab group like Quest Diagnostics.
If you are concerned about symptoms but not concerned enough to call a doctor you can use this free online screening tool from Baylor Scott & White to help determine the steps you should take.
Soon, public officials say drive-through testing sites will become available — there is one planned for Grand Prairie. Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said he wants to create a hotline or online form for people to fill out so it can better be determined whether they need testing without a visit to a doctor’s office. In Dallas, Parkland Hospital has launched drive-through testing, but only patients who receive approval from a Parkland doctor can get a test for now.
I’ve heard anecdotally through social media and through friends who work in hospitals that there are far more people who have the virus than the official figures. What is the estimate of people in Tarrant County who have it but due to lack of testing, are not officially listed? It feels like this story is not being reported at all but it seems to be in the public’s interest to know.
Tarrant County health officials have not told us any estimate for how many people they think may have the virus but have not been tested. Based on new research that modeled cases and spread in China, scientists suspect that for every confirmed case of coronavirus there are likely another 5 to 10 unconfirmed cases.
As we reported last week, Texas has not conducted many tests — just over 200 as of Friday — and people who had symptoms have been turned down for tests. On Monday, Gov. Abbott said that as more testing becomes available this week, we’d see an “exponential increase” in the number of cases.
How many tests are being done per day?
As of Tuesday, about 1,200 tests had been performed at all of Texas’s public health labs. The Tarrant County Public Health Department, as of Tuesday, has performed tests on 164 samples -- three of which tested positive for coronavirus (the other three positive tests were done by private testing centers). As of Friday, it had the capacity to test about 25 specimens per day and has more than .
Nationwide, about 2,000 tests have been performed per day by the CDC and public health labs in recent days. About 25,000 tests have been performed nationwide since January.
Private labs are also performing tests, such as Quest Diagnostics. Those numbers are not available.
What are the details about the case in Benbrook? Are any of these cases community spread?
As of this morning, Tarrant County had six cases of coronavirus, according to the Public Health Department. There have been two cases in Southlake, one in Arlington, one in Benbrook, one in Grand Prairie and one in White Settlement. The Department has not released specific details about the cases, including the one in Benbrook. But we know that UT Arlington has said a student tested positive for coronavirus and a pastor at Trinity Epsicopal Church in Fort Worth tested positive for the virus.
The sixth case of coronavirus, reported this morning and involving a Grand Prairie resident, is the first presumptive instance of community spread for residents of Tarrant County.
What government offices are closed? My driver’s license renews this month & must be done in person this year. I am over 65 and in a vulnerable category. I’m practicing social distancing. Do I risk going to the DMV or risk penalty for not renewing on time?
You do not need to visit the DMV. The state of Texas announced that all people whose driver’s licenses are expiring will be granted immunity. This mandate will last until 60 days after the governor’s state of disaster is declared over. You also do not need to renew your registration or title during this time period.
Can pets — dogs and cats — catch the coronavirus from humans that are infected?
According to the CDC, there are no reports of any animals becoming ill with the coronavirus. But the CDC still recommends that people who have tested positive for the coronavirus stay away from pets — just as they should stay away from people — while they are sick with the virus.
Are Tarrant County courts closed? I have a court date for Tarrant County Northwest courthouse. If so will they send out constables with updated letters or mail them?
Tarrant County courts are open. For now, they have closed only new jury trials — through at least April 20 — and reduced dockets. For details on your particular case, you should contact the court system or the Northwest Courthouse.
I noticed the Amazon Prime driver and the USPS mailman are now wearing gloves. Is our mail safe?
The CDC has said that transmission of the coronavirus from any type of surface contaminated with the virus to a human being has not been documented. However, surfaces and objects contaminated with coronavirus can stay contaminated for hours and perhaps days, and the CDC recommends disinfecting regularly.
OK — you’ve contracted the virus ... now what? What is the best treatment regimen until you can see your doctor? Bed rest, lots of fluids? Isolation goes without saying — but there have been slim to none stories about best treatments...until you need a respirator. Isn’t there anything in-between?
Yes, see a doctor. But while you wait, the experts at Harvard Medical School recommend these steps:
Avoid other people and don’t go out in public except for medical attention
- Stay hydrated
- Get plenty of rest
- “Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to reduce fever and ease aches and pains. Be sure to follow directions. If you are taking any combination cold or flu medicine, keep track of all the ingredients and the doses. For acetaminophen, the total daily dose from all products should not exceed 3,000 milligrams.”
How long will social distancing and protective measures be needed?
Dr. Diana Cervantes, an epidemiologist and biostatistician at UNT Health Science Center, said it’s difficult to estimate but will likely be longer than a couple weeks and likely into the spring or potentially early summer. “Once you get the ball rolling on aggressive public health measures it’s hard to stop it. It’s going to keep going until there’s a better measure of how effective this has been.”
Why does the government have authority to enact restrictions and quarantines?
The US Supreme Court has ruled on quarantine powers multiple times, giving governments widespread power to enforce people to stay home or to close businesses, as Fort Worth has done. For more info, read this article from The Atlantic.
Will grocery stores close? Do I have to worry about utility bills?
Grocery stores have not been ordred to close in Tarrant County or even places nationwide with tighter restrictions. They are deemed essential. So they will remain open, but there are measures in place to make sure that people are not standing too close to each other at the grocery store.
For utilities, the Fort Worth water company will not be cutting off people’s water who do not pay their bill. Many energy companies will also not be disconnecting anyone for failing to pay their bills. See the full list here: https://www.texaselectricityratings.com/blog/2020/03/16/cant-pay-electric-bill-because-of-coronavirus/
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 1:33 PM.
