We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about the coronavirus in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Check back for updates.

Texans who deny work due to coronavirus may keep their unemployment benefits

As the first wave of businesses prepare to reopen their doors, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that Texans who choose not to return to work for certain reasons related to the novel coronavirus may be eligible to continue to receive unemployment benefits.

Abbott announced the Texas Workforce Commission has issued new guidance to allow for exceptions to the agency’s longstanding policy that put people at risk of losing their unemployment benefits if they refused an offer of suitable work without good cause.

While each claim will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, workers may continue to receive benefits if they refuse work for a handful of reasons, including:

• If they are 65 years or older or have household members who are. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those 65 years and older are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing complications due to it.
• Have tested positive for COVID-19, or have a family member who has tested positive from a source “authorized by the State of Texas.” They must have either not yet recovered or have not yet had 14 days pass since testing positive.
• If they are currently quarantined for 14 days due to exposure to a case of COVID-19.
• Lack childcare and have no alternatives due to a school or daycare closure.

“This flexibility in the unemployment benefit process will help ensure that Texans with certain health and safety concerns will not be penalized for choosing not to return to work,” Abbott said in a statement.

TCU plans to reopen campus this fall despite coronavirus, says budget cuts are needed

TCU is making plans to bring students back to campus later this year.

In an email sent Thursday afternoon, Chancellor Victor J. Boschini Jr. told staff and faculty that the goal is to reopen campus in the fall, with a proposed start date of Aug. 24.

“As an institution of higher learning, we must preserve our academic environment, the intellectual advancement of our students, and all that the TCU experience promises,” stated the email, obtained by the Star-Telegram. “As we continue to develop our fall plans, we will abide by government and public health guidance because our responsibility to the TCU community is foundational.”

At the same time, the private university has been financially affected by the novel coronavirus, as have colleges across the country, and officials are working to reduce TCU’s 2021 operating budget by 20%, according to the email.

TCU in recent months sustained hits to its budget by moving classes online, canceling study abroad programs and refunding room and board costs to students who live on campus.

Now, as the world’s economy remains uncertain, there could be future financial hurdles for the college, ranging from a potential drop in enrollment to fewer or smaller endowments.

Texas A&M and Texas Tech universities also plan to reopen in the fall.

Tarrant County reports single-day high 7 coronavirus deaths, all Fort Worth residents

Tarrant County reported a single-day high seven coronavirus deaths on Thursday and 97 new cases, the most this week.

The seven deceased were all residents of Fort Worth.

Fort Worth residents have made up 42 of the 68 COVID-19 deaths in the county. The county has reported 2,246 pandemic cases, including 982 in Fort Worth. There have been 485 patient recoveries reported.

The latest deaths include a man in his 50s, three men in their 70s, two women in their 80s and a woman in her 90s.

All seven had underlying health conditions.

“We are again saddened to report more deaths in our community,” Tarrant County Health Director Vinny Taneja said in a news release. “It underscores our responsibility to work together to protect everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable.”

Of the 68 COVID-19 deaths in the county, there have been 32 white, 18 black, 15 Hispanic, two Asian/Pacific Islander and one American Indian. Of the total confirmed cases in the county, 29% have been Hispanic, 27% white, 17% black, 5% Asian/Pacific Islanders, 1% labeled as “other,” and 22% of the cases reported no race or ethnicity.

Dallas County has single-day high coronavirus cases; 5 more deaths include man in 20s

Dallas County reported five more coronavirus deaths and a single-day high 179 new cases on Thursday.

The latest deaths include a Balch Springs man in his 20s and four Dallas residents in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Three of the deceased were residents of Dallas-area long-term care facilities.

The county has confirmed 3,531 COVID-19 cases and 104 deaths.

County health officials attribute the increase in positive tests — the previous single-day high was 148 — to a change in CDC guidelines that allows front-line workers such as grocery store employees to be tested without symptoms at the county’s drive-thru testing sites.

“All of the above information points to the importance of limiting unnecessary shopping trips and avoiding crowds in this worsening situation,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a news release. “With the Governor’s order set to open still more businesses [Friday], your smart decisions to protect you, your family and the community are more important than ever.”

Jenkins urged residents to continue staying home as much as possible.

“It’s beautiful weather and we’ve been cooped up for over a month but the underlying advice based on science from the health experts has not changed,” he said.

Denton, Collin counties report more deaths; Denton to open first drive-thru test site

Denton and Collin counties each reported an additional coronavirus-related death Thursday.

A resident of the Denton Rehabilitation Center in his 80s died at a local hospital. Denton County reported 10 COVID-19 cases Wednesday and 17 Thursday for a total of 765, including 367 recovered patients and 21 deaths.

Collin County reported the death of an 83-year-old Plano woman late Tuesday at an area hospital. Officials report she had underlying health conditions. She tested positive for COVID-19 on April 21.

Collin County reported 18 and 14 new coronavirus cases Wednesday and Thursday for a total of 724, including 496 recovered patients and 20 deaths. The county reports 7,517 negative COVID-19 tests and health officials are monitoring 1,160 people for symptoms.

Denton County Public Health is opening its first drive-thru testing center from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the DCPH building, 535 South Loop 288 #1003, in Denton.

Prospective patients must have experienced COVID-19 symptoms within the past seven days. To register, call 940-349-2585. Two hundred tests are available on Saturday, and health officials plan to offer additional drive-thru testing sites in the future.

Fort Worth small businesses that missed out on coronavirus aid will have another option

Another $15 million could be available for Fort Worth small businesses through city coronavirus relief programs, but not until mid-May.

Earlier this month the city established a nearly $2 million Business Resiliency Microloan Program in partnership with PeopleFund, a nonprofit small business lender. The city has received nearly 250 applications for that batch of money and is looking to expand assistance.

Through the federal government’s $2 trillion stimulus package, the city received $15 million for economic development assistance; $12.5 million will go toward a recovery loan program and the rest a grant program.

Robert Sturns, the city’s economic development director, said several small business owners told the city the federal paycheck protection program and other relief wouldn’t benefit them. So economic development staff have explored using the money as a supplement to federal aid.

Fort Worth-based businesses and nonprofits with up to 500 employees can apply for the zero interest loans for as much $100,000. The loans can be forgiven if the businesses maintain or rehire to pre-outbreak staff levels, Sturns said. Unlike the original PeopleFund loans, this program is designed for long-term recovery.

The $2.5 million grant program is geared toward low-to-moderate income microbusinesses, those with five or fewer employees, or small businesses of 50 or fewer that employ low- to moderate-income employees.

‘No choice’: Fort Worth council members voice frustration with Texas coronavirus plan

The Fort Worth City Council voted Wednesday to mirror Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to reopen the state amid the coronavirus outbreak, but some council members made it clear they didn’t support the governor’s plan.

Abbott on Monday said Texas businesses will reopen in three phases. On Friday, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, retail stores and more will be able to open doors to 25% occupancy. He declared his edict supersedes local orders, which have often been stricter than his, effectively forcing Fort Worth to follow along.

That didn’t sit well with some City Council members.

While the city has no choice, Councilwoman Kelly Allen Gray said it was up to each council member to voice their reservations about Abbott’s plan.

“I want to applaud the small businesses, the libraries, the museums and also the people who have said we are not reopening under these guidelines because there is not a safe way for us to protect our patrons,” she said.

Gray and Councilwoman Gyna Bivens voted against the order in protest.

Councilwoman Ann Zadeh said she was concerned about reopening Fort Worth because there has not been 14 days of sustained decline in new coronavirus cases. Evidence of the virus spreading slower has been a key recommendation from health experts who say officials must prove the outbreak is under control before they weaken restrictions.

Zadeh said she voted in favor of the order because Fort Worth had to move forward with Abbott, but wanted people to know they should stay home.

Tarrant County reports 3 more coronavirus deaths, but new cases trending downward

Tarrant County reported three more coronavirus deaths and 61 new cases on Wednesday.

Among the deaths were two Fort Worth women in their 30s and 90s, and a Grapevine woman in her 70s. All three had underlying health conditions. Tarrant County has confirmed 61 pandemic-related deaths, including 35 in Fort Worth, six in Arlington and three in Grapevine.

The county has confirmed 2,149 COVID-19 cases, including 61 deaths and 387 patient recoveries.

Tarrant County Public Health reports cases after it receives the test results. The county reported 69 new cases on Tuesday and 72 on Monday after several days of new case counts over 100.

Some signs point to a possible downward trend in new cases. Since last week, new cases have decreased each day when evaluated by specimen collection date. The new cases reported by specimen collection date since Friday have been 53, 20, 12, 9, and 3 on Tuesday, although the chart notes that some of the most recent data may not have been reported yet and some tests may still be pending. The epidemic curve by specimen collection date data is generally a day behind the current case total.

“These deaths are grim reminders of the seriousness of this pandemic,” Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja said in a news release. “Our sympathy goes out to their families.”

Taneja urged residents to stay home, if possible, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s reopening orders that go into effect on Friday.

There are 2,585 available hospital beds (of 5,817 total) in the county and 3,232 occupied, including 205 by confirmed COVID-19 patients. The county has 468 available mechanical ventilators; 209 are currently in use.

Dallas County halfway to worst coronavirus week yet after 5 more deaths, 112 new cases

Dallas County reported five more coronavirus deaths and 112 new cases on Wednesday.

The county has confirmed 99 COVID-19 deaths and 3,352 cases and is on pace for its highest average daily count of new cases in a week. The 112 cases reported Wednesday are the fourth-most in a day, officials said.

Among the five latest deaths, one patient was in his 50s, two were in their 60s, and two were in their 90s. Three of the deceased were residents of long-term care facilities, including two in Dallas and one in Balch Springs.

“Unfortunately, halfway through the week, we are on pace to experience our highest average daily count of COVID-19 cases this week,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a news release. “These developments illustrate the importance of making smart choices, limiting unnecessary trips to businesses and wearing your face covering at essential businesses and on public transportation. It’s up to all of us to flatten the curve.”

Dallas County is reporting almost 80% of COVID-19 patients who have been hospitalized (and who reported their employment), have been “critical infrastructure workers,” including in healthcare, food and agriculture, and public works.

Fort Worth’s class of 2020 will have a graduation. But not the way it expected

Coronavirus took a lot away from the Class of 2020.

But high school seniors in Fort Worth will still get to graduate.

Just not in person.

The Fort Worth school district announced Wednesday that nearly 5,000 seniors will participate in “virtual” graduations this summer, as the threat of COVID-19 still exists.

“However, the District plans to do everything possible to make this life event special for the Class of 2020 and their families,” according to a statement from the school district.

Online graduation events will be spread over several days in June and a schedule for all 21 schools should be released soon.

Fort Worth mom joins suit to get coronavirus aid for millions of immigrant families

Christina Segundo-Hernández, a Fort Worth mother of four married to an undocumented construction worker, is one of six plaintiffs in a federal class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday on behalf of millions of U.S. citizens and their families who were left out of the coronavirus stimulus package.

The lawsuit, filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund in U.S. District Court in Maryland, argues the federal government’s denial of COVID-19 relief payments to Americans married to immigrants who do not have a Social Security number is unconstitutional.

“The federal government shouldn’t be able to exclude some U.S. citizens from getting help because of the person they are married to,” said Segundo-Hernández. “My husband and I pay taxes. I was born in this country. My children were born here, yet the U.S. government now wants to turn its back on me and treat me as if I’m not a citizen. That’s wrong.”

The suit names Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, Internal Revenue Commissioner Charles Rettig, the Treasury Department and the IRS as defendants.

Last month, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. The $2 trillion economic assistance package provides a one-time $1,200 payment to individuals who made $75,000 or less and filed taxes using a Social Security number.

The law provides recovery payments to military families in which one parent or child is not authorized to be in the U.S., but the measure excludes all other mixed-status couples.

Fort Worth star Leon Bridges doing virtual concert Thursday to help Southside workers

Fort Worth musical sensation Leon Bridges, best known for his top 10 song “Coming Home,” is giving back to his hometown to support a COVID-19 relief fund.

Bridges is doing a live virtual concert on Thursday to help raise funds for the Southside C.A.R.E.S. Fund, benefiting local creatives and service industry workers.

The concert is set for 8 p.m. on Twitch.tv and viewers can tune at bit.ly/leoncares.

Donations can be made at www.wegetbytogether.com or via PayPal using the name @southsidecares.

Kenny G performances off; Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra cancels remaining Bass season

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday canceled its remaining Bass Performance Hall performances in the 2019-2020 season as gatherings remain ill-advised during the pandemic.

Enigma Variations and Brahms 2, which had been scheduled for May 21, and Kenny G, who was to perform May 22-24, were spiked.

“The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra continues to work with city officials in following the guidelines for safe social distancing,” Keith Cerny, the symphony orchestra’s president and CEO, wrote in a statement. “The safety and well-being of our patrons, musicians and staff remains a top priority, which is why we decided to cancel the remainder of our Bass Hall performances this season.”

The concerts will be added to future seasons.

Someone with tickets to canceled performances may exchange tickets for other performances or donate them. Ticket holders will receive an email with instructions on how to request a ticket return. They may request a ticket return at fwsymphony.org or by calling the box office at 817-665-6500.

Wise County plans to reopen businesses to 50% capacity, per Abbott’s amended order

Wise County officials plan to reopen Friday per Gov. Greg Abbott’s amended pandemic orders.

The county, which has about 70,000 residents, is currently reporting five active coronavirus cases, the maximum allowed under the governor’s reopening rules to allow non-essential businesses to operate at up to 50% capacity. These include retail stores, restaurants and movie theaters.

Wise County has reported 17 COVID-19 cases, including two new cases Tuesday evening. Ten patients have recovered and two have died. The county has given 868 COVID-19 tests, including 780 negative results, 17 positive results, 41 pending results and 30 inconclusive results.

Wise County Judge J.D. Clark confirmed via email that if the county has more than five active cases by Friday, the county would reopen in Phase I at 25% capacity but could go to 50% when the active cases drop to five or fewer.

Besides having no more than five active COVID-19 cases, counties reopening must also meet multiple other requirements, including making tests available, providing public notices of the common COVID-19 symptoms, and providing CDC guidelines on pandemic protocols.

Eats Beat: Here’s how one Texas cafe kept its customers. Good friends, good food and good prices

Opening Day is Friday.

Restaurants are back — but with only one-fourth of the seats.

By limiting seating to 25% of legal occupancy, Gov. Greg Abbott established a safe distance for diners and workers. But at the same time, he created a land rush for table space.

The long lines of cars waiting for takeout food and cocktails will become long, widely spaced lines of customers waiting for the few tables as each restaurant reopens.

The advice here is as always: Don’t wait in lines.

There’s a restaurant down the street that’s not busy. Search our website, Twitter or Yelp.com.

Some restaurateurs were not sure at midweek whether they will open Friday.

“A reporter said he thought I’d be doing cartwheels in the street — it’s too soon! We’re not ready,” said Kerry Roach of Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe, a picture-perfect American cafe open 72 years in small-town Stephenville.

Jake & Dorothy’s will continue to serve only in the “drive-thru lane.”

(It’s really been such a success that the “lane” took over two lanes of a Stephenville city street.)

Jake & Dorothy’s beckons Friday with a $10.95 fried catfish platter and waffle fries.

At Sunday lunch, there’s roast beef or chicken-fried steak. And don’t forget the fruit, cream or meringue pies.

This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM.