Coronavirus live updates May 5: Here’s what to know in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
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.
Texas lawmaker’s car dealership gets coronavirus relief loan
A Weatherford car dealership owned by U.S. Rep. Roger Williams is among the small businesses that received loans from the federal paycheck protection program.
The program was created by Congress to help small businesses keep employees working during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Roger Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Weatherford received one of the program’s loans, according to the Dallas Morning News.
The dealership said in a statement that “like millions of small businesses across America, our family-owned business was not immune to the economic damage caused by the government’s shelter-in-place orders and the impacts of COVID-19.”
“Fortunately, like countless other American small businesses, we applied through our local bank and have been able to keep over 100 employees on payroll and prevent their families from experiencing further hardships during this unprecedented pandemic,” the statement said.
Williams, a Republican whose district stretches from the edges of Tarrant County through Austin, has represented the 25th Congressional District since 2013.
Tarrant County reports fewest new coronavirus cases in 2 weeks, 2 more deaths
Tarrant County reported Monday 40 new coronavirus cases and two deaths.
That’s the fewest new COVID-19 cases in a day since April 19, when 12 were reported.
Monday totals, however, have been inconsistent and typically smaller than other days with some labs not reporting results on Sunday.
The latest deaths include a Benbrook man in his 80s and a Fort Worth man in his 60s. Both had underlying health conditions. The county has confirmed 77 pandemic-related deaths and 2,624 cases, including 651 patient recoveries.
Of the 77 COVID-19 deaths, 47 have been residents of Fort Worth and three residents of Benbrook.
Dallas County reports another single-day coronavirus high, 2nd day with over 200 cases
Dallas County reported more than 200 new coronavirus cases on Monday for the second consecutive day.
The county reported a single-day high 237 cases and three more COVID-19-related deaths.
There have been 4,370 confirmed pandemic cases and 114 deaths. The county reported 234 new cases on Sunday.
The latest deaths include an Irving man in his 60s and two Dallas men in their 80s. All three had been critically ill at hospitals.
“Today’s numbers continue an upward trend of positive cases,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a release. “Dallas County will supplement its #SaferAtHome order today to make the Governor’s recommendations for reopened services requirements in Dallas County. The local public health community is advising to limit unnecessary visits to stores or group settings and to wear your face covering when you go.”
Blue Angels will fly over Fort Worth and Dallas to honor those fighting coronavirus
The Navy’s Blue Angels will fly over Fort Worth and Dallas Wednesday morning to show support for health care and other essential workers who are helping fight the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, announced the flyover, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and last about 35 minutes.
“I’m proud to partner with the Navy to bring the Blue Angels to Fort Worth, showcasing our community’s deep appreciation to the brave doctors, nurses, first responders, and essential workers on the frontlines of our nation’s fight against the coronavirus,” Granger said in a statement.
“These are unexpected, unprecedented times, but I know our community and country will emerge stronger than before.”
A formation of 6 F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft will conduct these flyovers, according to the Blue Angels.
The flight path they’ll take hasn’t been released, but officials say residents “can expect a few moments of jet noise as the aircraft pass overhead, along with the sight of 6 high-performance aircraft flying in precise formation.”
After the flyovers in North Texas, the aircraft will then head to Houston and New Orleans for similar tributes.
“America Strong is about showing how much we, as a nation, count on our frontline responders and that we have their back just like they have had ours,” Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader for the flyover, said in a statement. “They have always been there for us all, holding our nation together, even more so during this pandemic.
“It is really impactful to see this nation come together and stand in solidarity during these unprecedented times.”
Officials say residents can see the flyover from their homes and they encourage people not to travel to hospitals or other landmarks. They also recommend that people maintain social distancing during the flyovers.
How contact tracing will help Texas get back to normal
Emily Hardin Ladtkow is always a little nervous when making her first call of the day.
She knows she is calling someone who has tested positive for coronavirus — and she must ask them for personal information, such as who they’ve been in contact with and what symptoms they are experiencing.
But the contract tracing work she and a slew of others are doing could be key to life shifting to whatever the new normal might be.
“Sometimes it’s nerve-wracking,” said Ladtkow, a 27-year-old student from Dallas at the UNT Health Science Center who graduates soon with a master of public health degree. “Every call is so different and unique because everyone experiences COVID so different.
“Some people are really scared or nervous and some people are completely fine. Some are lonely and just want to talk. But the longer I do it, the more I’m able to comfort people and tell them this is really important information and it helps reduce the spread and it helps the community.”
Ladtkow is one of dozens of graduate students making these phone calls for the Tarrant County Public Health Department.
This work is a key piece in Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas, which he said will only be successful with increased testing and contact tracing.
Contact tracing is when people with the public health department talk to everyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and make lists of the people with whom they’ve had direct contact. Workers then track down those people down to let them know that they have been exposed and should self-quarantine for 14 days.
This is a tool health officials have long used with infectious diseases and it’s how some countries, such as South Korea, were able to stop the spread of coronavirus.
This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates May 5: Here’s what to know in the Dallas-Fort Worth area."
