Dallas County closes worst week of pandemic: 33 deaths, 1,720 new cases
Dallas County closed out its worst week of the coronavirus pandemic with 250 new cases and eight more deaths.
The county reported a week-high 1,720 COVID-19 cases (an average of 246 daily) and 33 deaths, which ties for the most in a week during the pandemic. The county reported 990 cases and 29 deaths last week.
The county reported more than 200 new cases for the seventh consecutive day and has confirmed 5,619 cases and 143 deaths. Dallas County is not reporting recovered patient totals.
“Residents should continue to avoid crowds, practice six foot distancing, wear a cloth covering at businesses and on public transportation and practice good hygiene,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a release.
The eight latest deaths include a Garland man in his 30s who was found dead at his home and three residents of long-term care facilities in Dallas and Richardson. The ages includes the man in his 30s, two men in their 50s, a man in his 60s, a woman in her 70s, and two men and one woman in their 80s. The deceased live in Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Cockrell Hill, Balch Springs and Richardson.
Health officials report that almost 80% of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization (who reported employment) have been critical infrastructure workers, including first responders, healthcare workers, transportation employees and food and agriculture workers.
Two-thirds of the patients requiring hospitalization have been under 65 and about half had no high-risk chronic health condition, health officials report. More than a third of the total COVID-19 deaths in the county have been residents of long-term care facilities.
This story was originally published May 9, 2020 at 4:33 PM.
