After slew of new coronavirus cases, Dallas judge warns increased activity stifles decline
Dallas County reported four more coronavirus deaths and the second-most single-day new cases of the pandemic on Saturday.
The four deaths included an Irving man in his 20s, male residents of Richardson and Grand Prairie in their 70s, and a male resident of a long-term care facility in Mesquite.
The county reported 181 new COVID-19 cases, six fewer than Friday’s record high for a total of 3,899 and 110 deaths, including 29 this week.
The daily average new cases increased to 141 this week from 84 a week ago. The county had a 38% increase in pandemic-related deaths from last week but lost four fewer people than two weeks ago, according to health officials.
“All this points to the need to follow @CDCgov and local health department recommendations and avoid crowds, keep 6-foot distancing at all times and wear a cloth face covering when visiting businesses, using public transportation, or with individuals outside your household,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a release.
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered that businesses in the state could start to reopen at limited capacity on Friday.
“Before the governor’s order opening more businesses, medical models had targeted the next few days as our peak with declines expected in mid-May,” Jenkins said. “Increased activity makes this harder to achieve but it’s still possible if we all make smart decisions and follow the advice of the scientists that have spent their adult lives preparing for this moment.”
