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.

Infectious disease experts fear coronavirus will spread as more Texas businesses reopen

Salons and barbershops have joined the list of Texas businesses that can partially reopen their doors to in-person customers. But some public health experts worry it’s too soon.

Epidemiologists said they are encouraged Gov. Greg Abbott is assessing data and consulting experts to inform a gradual reopening of Texas’ economy. But they cautioned that for an incremental approach to be effective, sufficient time is needed between each phase to assess its effects on the spread of the virus.

Abbott’s announcement Tuesday that barbershops and hair, nail, tanning and cosmetology salons may reopen provided they follow a strict set of rules came four days after the first phase of businesses, including malls and restaurants, were permitted to begin operating in-person at a limited capacity.

His decision came sooner than anticipated, as he had previously pointed to May 18 as a possible date for a second phase of reopenings.

During a press conference Tuesday, Abbott defended his decision to move forward rather than waiting to assess two weeks of data. He pointed to approval he has received from the medical experts advising him, in addition to Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator.

“How do I know that we are on an adequate trajectory and this plan fits within that trajectory? Dr. Birx herself has said it. All these other doctors have said it,” Abbott said at a press conference from the Texas Capitol. “And so, there’s always going to be a difference of opinion among doctors.”

Here’s how many lives coronavirus stay at home orders may have saved in Tarrant County

Stay-at-home orders established to slow the novel coronavirus are believed to have saved more than 200,000 lives and prevented at least 2.1 million people from being hospitalized, estimates show.

In Tarrant County, the order likely saved 5,583 lives and prevented 53,096 people from being hospitalized, according to estimates released by the Big Cities Health Coalition.

“Ordering people to shelter in their homes was unprecedented and difficult. Everyone’s collective action has dramatically slowed the spread of COVID-19,” Sara Cody, chair of the coalition, said in a statement. “These measures have prevented many infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

“It’s tempting to let up, but we need to massively scale up two essential guardrails — testing and contact tracing — to protect the progress we’ve made, as well as the most vulnerable among us.”

Tarrant County stay-at-home orders were in place from March 24 through the end of April.

Ted Cruz gets haircut at Dallas salon to support owner who defied coronavirus orders

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz decided to get a haircut Friday at Salon à la Mode in Dallas.

That’s the salon owned by Shelley Luther, the woman who was released from jail Thursday on Texas Supreme Court orders after she was put behind bars for reopening her businesses while statewide coronavirus restrictions were in place.

“I’m proud to stand with Shelley Luther,” Cruz said after his hair cut. “What happen to her was wrong.”

Cruz, a Republican, walked into the salon wearing a mask and gloves and was greeted by Luther, on the first day hair salons and barbershops were allowed to reopen in Texas. He told reporters outside that he got on a plane and flew from Houston to Dallas Friday morning specifically to get his hair cut at this salon to show support for Luther.

“I’m excited to be here,” he told her. “Thank you for everything you are doing.”

Is there a meat shortage? In Fort Worth, it depends where you look

Missy Bonds, a rancher in Saginaw, wakes up at 4 a.m. to help load dozens of cattle into semi-trucks headed to feed yards in Colorado and New Mexico. There, cattle are fed grass until they are an optimal weight to be sold for slaughter.

“As it stands right now, there’s no meat shortage,” said Bonds earlier this week. “Do not think you have to go out and rush the grocery stores to buy up everything and stock up.”

But even if customers wanted to rush the meat counter, most major grocery chains in North Texas, including Sam’s Club, Kroger, Tom Thumb and Albertsons, are already limiting meat purchases.

Nationwide the price of meat is going up, meaning choices will be fewer, especially during the grilling season, and you won’t be able to buy as much as you want.

The wholesale price of USDA Choice boxed beef cutout was $4.61 a pound Friday morning, up from $2.07 on March 10. Boxed beef cutout represents the estimated gross value of a beef carcass, based on prices paid for individual beef cuts, according to Justin Benavidez, an economist and assistant professor for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program in Amarillo.

Benavidez explained that a price increase is a sign of a shortage, but what will probably happen is fewer steaks and more roasts and ground beef.

“A lot of what we’re going to be facing is the fact that people are out of work,” Benavidez said. “During a recession, purchasing habits change, so you’re probably going to see a lot more cheap cuts.”

He said the only way we’d run out of meat is if all the meat packing plants closed, which is highly unlikely.

Know any senior residents or North Texans who need food amid pandemic? Here’s help

For weeks, many North Texans have struggled from the economic impact of the coronavirus.

Dozens of residents have been scared to get groceries because of their age and pre-existing health conditions.

On Friday, Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County announced a COVID-19 Supplemental Nutrition Program for senior residents in Tarrant County.

And earlier this week, Tarrant Area Food Bank and Catholic Charities Fort Worth launched a call center to help North Texans find food, and in some cases, deliver food by way of Catholic Charities’ fleet of vehicles.

The COVID-19 SNP established by Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County, United Way and Area Agency of Aging in Tarrant County, Tarrant County, Tarrant Area Food Bank and Catholic Charities of Fort Worth will target food needs for Tarrant County residents ages 60 and older and their spouses.

To be eligible for COVID-19 SNP, a senior resident must live in Tarrant County, must be 60 or older and not have enough to eat.

Those who are in need and are eligible for COVID-19 SNP should call 817-336-0912 or go to mealsonwheels.org. For Spanish-speaking residents, call 817-258-6438.

Other North Texans who need food can call Catholic Charities of Fort Worth at 817-534-0814 from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.

Tarrant County reports record high 171 new coronavirus cases, nears 100 total deaths

Tarrant County reported a single-day high 171 new coronavirus cases and five more deaths on Friday.

The previous high was 150 on Thursday, which was a revised number, according to the county’s official data. Before that, 145 new cases on April 23 was the single-day high. The 321 new cases in the past two days is a two-day high during the pandemic.

The deaths included residents of three different cities, including an Arlington woman in her 30s. The others were a Fort Worth man and woman in their 70s and 80s, an Arlington man in his 60s and a Grapevine man in his 90s. Four of the patients had underlying health conditions, according to health officials. They did not report which of the five did not.

Tarrant County has confirmed 3,127 total COVID-19 cases, including 95 deaths and 735 recoveries.

Of the total cases, 1,430 have been residents of Fort Worth, including 58 of the 95 deaths. Arlington has reported 641 cases and eight deaths. Grapevine has reported 67 cases and five deaths.

On Friday, 247 of the county’s hospital beds were occupied by confirmed COVID-19 patients.

Dallas County’s worst week of pandemic continues with 10 more deaths, 249 new cases

Dallas County reported a single-day high 10 coronavirus-related deaths and 249 new cases on Friday.

The county has confirmed 5,369 COVID-19 cases, including 135 deaths.

It’s the sixth consecutive day the county has reported more than 200 new cases in what has become its worst week of the pandemic. The 10 deaths tie a single-day high in the county.

The 10 latest deaths include residents of Dallas, Duncanville, Irving, Garland, Lancaster and Richardson. The ages range from the 40s to the 90s, including six residents of long-term care facilities in four different cities. One of those was a Duncanville man in his 40s.

The others included one in his 50s, three each in their 60s and 70s, and one each in their 80s and 90s.

Collin, Denton Counties combine for 5 more coronavirus deaths, 30 new cases each

Collin and Denton counties reported 30 new coronavirus cases each and a combined five more deaths on Friday.

Collin County reported three more COVID-19 deaths, including two Plano men and one McKinney man. All three had underlying health conditions. The Plano men include a 50-year-old who died at a local hospital and a 92-year-old, who died at the Life Care Center of Plano, a local nursing home. The 82-year-old McKinney man was a resident of the North Park Health and Rehabilitation Center. He died Wednesday at a local hospital.

Collin has confirmed 887 pandemic cases, including 27 deaths and 580 recoveries. Of the 280 current cases, 21 are hospitalized. County health officials report 10,012 negative COVID-19 tests and are monitoring 1,417 people for symptoms.

Among the two Denton County deaths is the first reported resident of the Denton State Supported Living Center to die from the coronavirus. The facility, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has reported 116 COVID-19 cases, including 54 residents and 62 employees. The deceased was a man in his 60s who had been hospitalized.

The other Denton County death was a Shady Shores woman in her 70s who had been hospitalized.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of two deaths today including one at the Denton State Supported Living Center,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said in a release. “Please keep these individuals’ families and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

Denton County has confirmed 902 cases, including 25 deaths and 428 recoveries.

Fort Worth-area cities desperate for funds to fight coronavirus-fueled economic crisis

Over 100 mayors, including many from North Texas, signed a strongly worded letter urging Gov. Greg Abbott to establish guidelines for financial help.

The mayors contend their cities have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which has shut down many businesses and services.

Mayors who signed the letter included Betsy Price of Fort Worth, Jeff Williams of Arlington, Linda Martin of Euless, Ron White of White Settlement and Henry Wilson of Hurst.

The letter stated that $11.24 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund was split between the state and “local governments” with populations over 500,000, excluding the smaller cities.

“Needless to say, the virus representing our common enemy at the moment does not acknowledge city boundaries or population distinctions. Every single Texas city has a role to play in the battle for our state’s health and prosperity,” the mayors wrote in the letter.

These two school districts will be using Globe Life Field for graduation ceremonies

Globe Life Field won’t be sitting empty until the 2020 MLB season begins.

The Mansfield and Burleson school districts announced on Friday evening that they will hold graduation ceremonies next month at the Texas Rangers’ new $1.2 billion ballpark.

Mansfield and its six high schools will graduate its seniors June 2 and 3, with three high schools each day. Burleson’s four high schools will host commencement ceremonies on June 6.

Both districts stressed that safety protocols that have been in place during the coronavirus pandemic will be required for the ceremonies, which will rate as the first events at Globe Life Field.

Free the Tiger King! Texas-themed video begs Trump to pardon imprisoned Netflix star

With a booming bass line, gorilla claps and a guitar with a Texas-twang, a major motion picture-worthy score announces the video effort to persuade President Donald Trump to grant Joseph Maldonado-Passage, AKA Joe Exotic, the Tiger King, a pardon. A presidential pardon could extricate the Netflix star from his incarceration at FMC Fort Worth, a federal medical prison under siege from the coronavirus infection.

Bedford’s Eric Love, who is featured in the video, is a former lawman turned private investigator and businessman. He asks Trump to grant Maldonado-Passage a full pardon because he is not guilty of the crime of which he was convicted, but he is a victim of swindlers, according to the video which was obtained by TMZ.

In April 2019, Maldonado-Passage was found guilty of trying to hire someone to murder Carole Baskin, a prominent animal rights activist, according to NBC News.

He was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in the Texas prison on two counts of murder-for-hire, eight counts of violating the Lacey Act for falsifying wildlife records, and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act for allegedly killing tigers at his Oklahoma zoo.

The video, which was shot and produced in Fort Worth, also features a luxury travel bus, which has a picture of Joe Exotic and a tiger face painted on its side. The pictures frame a plea to President Trump to please pardon the Netflix star, according to reporting from TMZ.

Michael Bublé concert is coming to Fort Worth, but he’s going to be a little late

If you have already purchased tickets for the Micheal Bublé concert scheduled for April, stick them in a red envelope and put them in a safe place.

Now you can use them as a day after Valentine’s Day present.

The Bublé concert previously scheduled for April 4 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth has been rescheduled for Feb. 15, 2021, due to the appearance of the novel coronavirus.

If you’ve already bought tickets to see Bublé, those will be honored for the rescheduled date, according to a Dickies Arena news release.

This story was originally published May 9, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates May 9: Here’s what to know in the Dallas-Fort Worth area."