Denton County confirms 29 new coronavirus cases, extends stay-home mandate to April 30
Denton County added 29 new coronavirus cases Tuesday for a total of 366, including 91 recoveries and seven deaths.
No new patients were identified at the Denton State Supported Living Center, where 50 residents and 43 employees have contracted COVID-19.
The Denton County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to extend County Judge Andy Eads’ March 24 Executive Order and Disaster Declaration through April 30 to match the time frame in Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order.
The order includes a stay-at-home mandate and continued closure of non-essential businesses. The extension was unanimously approved. The court will review the order on April 14 to decide on any adjustments, if necessary.
“The extension of the stay-at-home mandate in Denton County was intended to give our residents the full scope of what health officials are recommending to continue to flatten the curve in our area,” Eads said in a news release. “We are focused on the health and well-being of all residents and feel this extension is necessary to ensure our medical facilities can handle the increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.”
Of the total 366 cases, 276 contracted the virus through community spread, including 138 from a previously-known patient and 138 from an unknown case. The transmission type is still pending in three cases, and 87 patients contracted it because of travel. Eighty-one patients have been hospitalized.
“We believe community spread is endemic within our region,” Eads said. “We realize this decision has a major impact on our businesses and we already are making plans to assist in the recovery of our business community once this pandemic comes to an end.”
