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 Supreme Court pauses expansion of vote-by-mail eligibility amid coronavirus

The Texas Supreme Court sided with Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday night and paused an expansion of vote-by-mail eligibility amid the novel coronavirus’ outbreak.

Earlier Friday afternoon, Paxton urged the court to immediately stay the 14th Court of Appeals 2-1 decision that upheld a lower court’s ruling. In April, state state district Judge Tim Sulak issued a temporary injunction allowing Texans who lack immunity to the novel coronavirus to cite the disability category under state law in order to request a mail-in ballot.

Since the onset of the pandemic, legal battles have ensued over concerns with voters flocking to potentially crowded polls in-person amid the pandemic.

Paxton had said that his appeal of Sulak’s ruling meant the order was stayed — a point civil rights groups and organizations suing the state had pushed back on. Paxton argued that the appeals court violated the state’s right to stay temporary injunctions from lower courts by filing an appeal, and requested that the Texas Supreme Court grant the emergency stay while it addressed the issue.

The Texas Supreme Court set oral arguments for the case on Wednesday, May 20.

Paxton applauded Friday night’s emergency stay, and vowed that the trial court’s ruling will be reversed.

Federal Medical Center Fort Worth prison inmate is eighth there to die of coronavirus

A 74-year-old Federal Medical Center Fort Worth inmate died on Friday of the novel coronavirus at a hospital, authorities said.

Charles Hanberry is the eighth FMC Fort Worth inmate to die of COVID-19, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said.

On April 21, he was seen by prison health staff and had low oxygen saturation, shortness of breath and other symptoms, the prisons bureau said. Hanberry tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed in isolation.

On April 22, Hanberry was taken to a hospital for treatment and evaluation, the prisons bureau said. His condition declined on May 5, and he was placed on a ventilator.

Hanberry had medical conditions that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists as risk factors for developing more severe coronavirus disease.

He lived in San Antonio before his March 2011 sentencing for child pornography distribution.

Study predicts July surge of 800 daily coronavirus cases in Dallas area at current safety level

North Texas could see a storm of new coronavirus cases by July if current social distancing and other preventive measures remain intact, according to a study conducted by disease experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

The study, which analyzed the available data from Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton Counties on May 10-12, found that social distancing directives largely worked to slow the spread of COVID-19 cases in the region.

ut since the state began to loosen those restrictions on May 1, the containment of the spread has been about 60% effective, according to the study.

The study “examined how well preventive measures including masking, staying at home, social distancing, handwashing and others have limited infection, and what might happen looking forward,” the press release said. “Model-building is an iterative process and a model is just a model. This model should not be used to make any concrete decisions.”

The model forecast an ugly summer for North Texas if current social distancing measures remain as is.

The study predicts more than 800 new coronavirus cases each day in Dallas County by July under the state’s current measures, which the study says are about 60% effective at slowing the spread. As you’d expect, the forecast is worse if the measures’ effectiveness are weakened and much better if they’re strengthened. In the past week, Dallas County has reported about 200 new cases per day.

Evictions can resume Monday in Fort Worth area amid coronavirus. Here’s who is at risk

Eviction proceedings in Tarrant County can resume Monday.

This news comes one day after the Texas Supreme Court ended its pause on the proceedings because of the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“This is the go order, this is confirmation” to move forward, Justice of the Peace Ralph Swearingin said.

That doesn’t mean that all cases will immediately come up.

The eviction of renters in homes covered by federally backed mortgages are prohibited through Aug. 23 under provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

And the first cases that will come up are those that were already in the works in early March when the Texas Supreme Court issued the emergency order temporarily stopping eviction proceedings because of coronavirus, officials say.

Swearingin said he plans to hold his first hearings on those cases Tuesday.

“Every hour we are setting cases … trying to catch up on the backlog,” he said.

Texas pools are allowed to reopen despite coronavirus, but are they even safe to use?

Parents might have a hard time finding a pool for their children to cool off in this summer as the novel coronavirus outbreak threatens to linger.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s phased approach to reopening the state’s economy amid the outbreak allowed pools to reopen May 8, but with some caveats. Cities can choose not to reopen their pools and private ones, like those run by homeowners associations, must remain at 25% of capacity.

When going to the pool, there’s no need to worry about the water, according to a Fort Worth epidemiologist. But standard coronavirus advice applies if you’re planning to go to the pool: stay away from other people.

Fort Worth has no plans to open its three aquatics centers, which typically open on Memorial Day weekend. A parks and recreation department spokesman said they wouldn’t reopen until the city felt staff and guests would feel safe at the pools.

Cutting costs may also be a factor in keeping the three closed. Fort Worth faces a roughly $40 million deficit to the general fund from the loss of sales tax revenue due to the recession. Not hiring seasonal employees at the aquatics centers will save $220,000 at a time when city manager David Cooke has asked departments to trim their budgets.

The city of Arlington plans to reopen outdoor pools later this summer, but a firm date and other details haven’t been finalized, spokeswoman Susan Schrock said. Hugh Smith Indoor Pool will reopen Monday, she said, with limited capacity and social distancing enforcement.

Three more coronavirus deaths in Fort Worth; 55 new cases across Tarrant County

Tarrant County reported 55 new coronavirus cases and three more deaths on Friday.

The three latest deaths are all Fort Worth residents, including a man in his 50s and women in their 60s and 80s. Two of the three had underlying health conditions, according to health officials.

The county has confirmed a total of 120 COVID-19-related deaths, including 73 in Fort Worth.

There have been 4,266 COVID-19 cases in Tarrant County, including 2,280 in Fort Worth. The county is reporting 1,467 recoveries.

Since announcing 248 cases on Tuesday, which included 153 cases at a Fort Worth federal prison, Tarrant’s new case counts have decreased with 146 on Wednesday, 57 on Thursday and 55 on Friday.

Dallas County passes 7,000 coronavirus cases, adds 5 deaths, but trending slightly down

Dallas County added 199 new coronavirus cases and five more deaths on Friday, marking the first time the county has reported fewer than 200 new daily cases in the past 12 days.

The five latest COVID-19 deaths include residents of Grand Prairie, Mesquite and Irving. The deceased include two Mesquite women, one in her 60s and one in her 70s who was a resident of a long-term care facility. Two of the deceased were a Grand Prairie man and women, both in their 60s. The woman died at local hospital and the man was found dead at his home. An Irving man in his 80s who was a resident of a long-term care facility died at a local hospital.

There have been 7,036 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 164 deaths, in Dallas County. Of the pandemic-related deaths, more than a third have been residents of long-term care facilities in the county.

“Today’s number is significantly lower than yesterday’s. It’s too early to call this a trend but we will anxiously watch for the next few days to see if this is signaling a decline from our plateau of around 250 cases a day that we’ve been at for the past 10 days,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said.

Editorial: Crowds, heat, boredom — Fort Worth park shooting warns of a tough summer for youths

There are so many problems with last week’s shooting in Fort Worth’s Village Creek Park, it’s hard to know where to begin.

First, of course, is that the violence is senseless and deplorable. Five people were shot. All appear likely to survive, thank heavens. But a gunshot wound can profoundly alter one’s life and health. Let’s hope the park victims avoid that fate.

Next is the fear of a resurgence of gang violence in Fort Worth. Enough incidents have piled up that it’s a real concern. No one wants to go back to the bad old days of the 1980s and early ’90s. Fort Worth has spent too much money and effort to bring down crime rates.

Much remains unknown about the shooting. What we do know is alarming: Police were present, trying to get the crowd to disperse, and yet shooters still fired about 30 rounds, according to witnesses. The Fort Worth police gang unit is investigating, and the circumstances are alarming enough that southeast Fort Worth community leaders are warning about the need for immediate intervention to prevent more violence.

And for many, the biggest question of all is: What the heck were more than 400 people doing packed into a public park at a time when public officials are practically begging people to stay home to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus?

The shooting offers a stark warning about the limits of social-distancing messages, particularly those aimed at young people. A lot of improvement is needed, especially with summer upon us and bored teenagers looking for things to do.

This Tarrant County office reopens Monday, after coronavirus closure. Expect delays

Tarrant County Clerk Mary Louise Nicholson has announced her office is reopening to the public on Monday.

This office that provides documents ranging from birth certificates to marriage licenses will be fully staffed and ready for business, she said in a video posted on social media.

“As you would expect, social distancing will be enforced in the offices” and the number of people allowed in the office at one time will be limited, Nicholson said.

“Customers should expect some delays in services,” a note on the county clerk’s website noted.

Nicholson said most documents, both certified and copies, can be bought online at countyclerk.tarrantcounty.com. For more information, call the county clerk’s office at 817-884-1195.

Four new coronavirus free testing sites available at Walmart lots in Dallas County

Four new drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites are now available at Walmart locations in Dallas County.

The four locations are located in Dallas, DeSoto, Garland and Rowlett.

To learn if you’re eligible, go to www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com. If so, you can make an appointment at one of the locations online.

The tests are run by ETrueNorth with help from state and local officials. They’re available for anyone meeting the CDC and state and local guidelines for a test, which include first-responders, health-care providers and others with coronavirus symptoms or those in high-risk groups even without symptoms.

“Testing is critical so that we’re not flying blind as we do everything that we can to keep you safe during a time when our economy is reopening,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a release.

The sites are open 7-9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

You must wear a face covering while remaining in your car during the test. Verification of eligibility and an ID check will be required before each patient is issued a self-administered nasal swab while being observed by a trained medical volunteer. Results are typically available in three to four days.

For more information call 800-635-8611.

Wylie man, 34, dies from coronavirus, bringing Collin County death toll to 31

A 34-year-old Wylie man died Friday from coronavirus-related issues, Collin County health officials reported.

The man had a “serious” underlying health condition, according to officials. He died at a Richardson hospital.

He’s the 31st COVID-19 death in Collin County, which also reported 15 new positive cases on Friday. They county has confirmed 1,008 cases and 685 recoveries. Of the county’s 292 active cases, 11 are hospitalized.

Officials reported 12,533 negative COVID-19 tests in the county and 1,709 people are being monitored for symptoms.

In Denton County, 24 new COVID-19 cases were logged for a total of 1,040, including 28 deaths and 548 recoveries.

Police, fire drive-by parade honors Fort Worth-area hospital for COVID-19 work

For at least one morning, there was time to say thanks to employees of a Tarrant County hospital for their work amid the coronavirus crisis.

On Thursday morning, a group of police and fire departments in Northeast Tarrant County conducted a drive-by parade to honor the medical staff at Medical City North Hills in North Richland Hills.

The medical staff stood outside of the hospital, 4401 Booth Calloway Road, as a line of fire and police department vehicles drove by in their honor amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agencies involved in the parade included police and firefighters from North Richland Hills, Watauga, Hurst, Richland Hills and Haltom City.

Patrick Mahomes to help Texas Tech grads celebrate during virtual commencement

NFL star quarterback Pat Mahomes will address Texas Tech graduates during a virtual commencement event on May 23.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the school, like many others, is doing its spring commencement via a livestream beginning at 9 a.m. May 23. The Red Raiders’ traditional commencement ceremonies are held at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock.

Mahomes, who helped lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl title in February, will speak along with graduating students Alicia Goodman and Keira Eynon.

“Patrick’s story and his rise to stardom, both here at Texas Tech and in the NFL, have been a great source of pride for Red Raiders and an inspiration for thousands,” Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec said in a release. “During that rise, Patrick has never wavered from the lessons learned from his family, coaches and his time as a student-athlete at Texas Tech, displaying class, humility and a competitive fire to be the best.”

This story was originally published May 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates May 16: Here’s what to know in the Dallas-Fort Worth area."