After deadliest day, Dallas judge says ‘governor’s orders may change … science will not’
Dallas County tied a single-day high with 10 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, ranging in age from 17 to the 90s.
Health officials also reported a single-day high 135 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 3,240, including 94 deaths.
Among the latest deaths were two Lancaster residents, including a 17-year-old girl and man in his 40s. Five of the patients were residents of Dallas, one was from Garland and one was from Carrollton. A male in his 60s who was an inmate at a state correctional facility also died. Three of the Dallas deaths were residents of long-term care facilities.
The deceased included two in their 30s, two in their 40s, two in their 70s and one each in their 60s, 80s and 90s.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins cautioned business owners and residents to adhere to strict social distancing pandemic guidelines despite Gov. Greg Abbott reopening up the state’s businesses beginning Friday.
“With the Governor’s decree [Monday] opening up more businesses throughout Texas, both North Texas business owners and residents must be particularly careful in making their best personal responsibility choices,” Jenkins said in a release. “The White House and most public health experts are cautioning that the safety precautions should not be loosened until deaths and new cases have seen a two week decline and there is sufficient testing in the state to provide protection to workers and patrons in the newly open businesses.”
None of the criteria have been met, Jenkins noted, in either the state or in North Texas.
“So it’s particularly important that you exercise good personal decisions to keep you, your family and our community safe,” he said. “Remember, the Governor’s orders may change but the underlying science will not. I strongly recommend everyone take their advice from the CDC and local health authorities as to what is safe for them, their families and our broader community.”
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 5:21 PM.
