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.

Whitley says Tarrant County needs more funds for COVID relief. State leaders disagree.

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley isn’t giving up.

He got a letter Friday from top state officials saying that neither Tarrant County, nor 10 of the state’s other largest counties, will get more of the federal coronavirus relief funds given to Texas than what has already been given out.

Even so, Whitley said, he hopes state leaders will change their minds and be able to contribute more.

“We are trying to give money to those who most need it,” Whitley said. “We hope the state can match that. We feel the need is far greater than what we are able to give.”

In March, Congress approved the CARES Act that set aside $150 billion to be divided among states for conoravirus relief. Texas received $11.2 billion and Tarrant County in April received $210 million, an amount based on population, from the state.

Whitley and the 10 other county judges sent Abbott a letter May 13 asking for more CARES money.

They noted that about 68.9% of the coronavirus cases in Texas had occurred in their communities at the time they sent the letter.

But the funding they received “represents only 28.6 percent of the State’s $11.24 billion allocation. Therein lies the problem — we account for 68.9 percent of all cases and received only 28.6 percent of all CRF funds,” the May 13 letter stated. “Thus, we ask you to address this shortfall.

“Our cities need additional access to (Coronavirus Relief Fund) funds as do our counties.”

A letter on Friday signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and other officials said that isn’t possible.

“It is unreasonable to demand additional dollars be allocated locally at this time,” stated the letter addressed to Whitley and his counterparts in Travis, Montgomery, Harris, Hidalgo, Dallas, Fort Bend, Bexar, Denton, El Paso and Williamson counties.

Are you unemployed? You’re not alone, as number of Texans out of work hits record high

As Texas continues reopening for business, new statistics show that the state has hit the highest jobless rate — 12.8% —in recent history because of the coronavirus pandemic.

That’s worse than the previous high, when the state’s monthly unemployment rate reached 9.2% in November 1986 during the oil bust, federal statistics show.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a measurable effect on the Texas economy,” Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel said in a statement.

In the Fort Worth-Arlington area, the unemployment rate for April was 13.1%, which is slightly above the statewide unemployment rate of 13%, but lower than the nation’s 14.4%, TWC statistics show.

Last April, the unemployment rate in the Fort Worth-Arlington area was 2.8%. In Texas, it was 3%.

Daniel and other officials say they are optimistic that the numbers will go down in the coming months as more businesses reopen their doors.

COVID-themed parties that attracted hundreds being investigated by Fort Worth police

Two coronavirus-themed birthday parties that attracted hundreds of attendees last weekend are now being investigated by the Fort Worth Police Department.

Corey Mobley, the director of operations and founder of Whiskey Garden’s Turtle Races, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he decided to have a party for his 37th birthday at the last minute and invited hundreds of his friends to the secret location.

On May 15, 300 to 400 people filled the warehouse, he said. On May 16, hundreds more showed up. Mobley broke open a coronavirus-themed pinata filled with mini bottles of Rumple Minze, and photos show the crowd of people packed together to take a picture.

On Friday, Fort Worth police said on Twitter that they uncovered the secret location.

Police say the parties happened in the 600 block of North Sylvania Avenue in Fort Worth — just northeast of downtown.

“After inspecting this location and comparing those findings with the information received from the public, we believe this venue is where the gathering was held,” the department said. “FWPD officers responded to loud music complaints on both evenings, but they were unable to access the venue because it is located within a high fenced area.”

Police said the parties are now under investigation for possible criminal conduct.

COVID-19 cases over time

Coronavirus daily case counts over time by local counties in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex. Tap the arrow button to replay the animation. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services and local counties.

Steve Wilson swilson@star-telegram.com

Fort Worth-area woman in her 40s, man in his 60s die from coronavirus; 96 new cases

A Watauga woman in her 40s and a Fort Worth man in his 60s have died from the coronavirus, Tarrant County health officials reported Friday.

One of the two deceased had underlying health conditions, but the county did not distinguish which one.

Tarrant County reported 96 new coronavirus cases on Friday for a total of 4,899, including 141 deaths and 1,809 recoveries.

Fort Worth residents have accounted for 87 COVID-19 deaths in the county. It’s the first such death in Watauga, where 24 residents have tested positive. Of the county’s total cases, 2,584 have been Fort Worth residents. The county reports 1,049 recoveries in Fort Worth.

As of Friday afternoon, 184 of the county’s hospital beds were occupied by confirmed COVID patients.

Dallas County new coronavirus cases down, but Jenkins urges residents to ‘stay home’

Dallas County reported 204 new coronavirus cases and four deaths on Friday.

The latest deaths include three Dallas residents and one Irving resident. The patients included a Dallas man in his 50s, a Dallas man and woman in their 70s, and a Irving man in his 80s who was a resident of a long-term care facility. All four had been hospitalized.

The county has confirmed 8,477 total COVID-19 cases, including 207 deaths. Dallas County is not reporting daily recovery totals.

Almost 40% of the coronavirus-related deaths in the county have been residents of long-term care facilities, according to county health data.

This week’s totals have been down from the previous two weeks, when the county reported 12 consecutive days of more than 200 new cases, including twice matching a single-day high of 253 cases. However, the county still has reported more than 200 cases in five of the past eight days.

“Unfortunately, none of this leads to the 14-day decline that the doctors have talked about, so we are still at that red ‘stay home stay safe’ zone,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a news release and on social media. “The doctors recommend that although bars and restaurants have opened that we avoid in-person dining, and rather do our celebrating with take-out and at home.”

Jenkins, a Democrat, has been the target of criticism by some on social media for his conservative stance on reopening non-essential businesses in the county. He has urged residents to continue to adhere to safety guidelines provided by the CDC and local and state health officials.

“If we’ll all make smart decisions, we can make it to a lower threat level where more opportunities for entertainment and commerce are open to us, and where less people are getting sick and dying,” he said. “It’s up to all of us to flatten the curve. Remember that especially until we see a decline, #StayHomeSavesLives.”

Collin, Denton counties each have at least 30 coronavirus deaths, including 3 more Friday

Collin and Denton counties reported three more coronavirus-related deaths Friday.

Collin County reported the deaths of two women, including a 98-year-old resident of the Life Care Center of Plano, and an 82-year-old Richardson woman who died in a Plano hospital.

The Richardson woman died May 3 but had not been reported to county officials until now. Both women had underlying conditions, according to health officials. These are the first coronavirus deaths reported by the county since May 15.

Denton County reported the coronavirus death of a Carrollton woman in her 60s. She had been hospitalized.

Abbott suspends in-person visitations as COVID cases continue to rise in Texas jails

All in-person visitations at county and municipal jails in Texas were suspended by an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday.

This suspension does not apply to visitation by an attorney who is meeting with a client or visits from a religious leader or member of the clergy.

In-person visitations have been suspended at the Tarrant County Jail — where, as of last week, 121 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 — since March.

Abbott previously directed state prisons, jails and juvenile justice facilities to restrict visitation upon issuing his COVID-19 disaster declaration.

“Jails have shown to be highly susceptible to COVID-19 surges, which is why we are focused on containing any potential hot spots and preventing spread both within jails and the community,” Abbott said in a news release. “I encourage jails to utilize virtual visitation strategies to allow for visitations in a way that protects both staff and the inmate population.”

Here are the 112 Texas counties allowed to reopen businesses up to 50% capacity

There are 112 Texas counties allowed to reopen businesses up to 50% capacity per Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide order. The reopening began May 1 when the governor’s pandemic stay-at-home order expired.

There are 254 counties in Texas. There were initially 72 counties that qualified, mostly in rural areas, especially in the sparsely populated western counties. The closest such county to Fort Worth is Wise County, which includes Bridgeport, Decatur, Boyd, Rhome and Chico. Jack County, which includes Jacksboro and is directly west of Wise County, is also reopened to 50% capacity. Erath County, which includes Stephenville, is also allowed to reopen.

Besides having no more than five active COVID-19 cases, counties reopening at 50% must also meet multiple other requirements, including making tests available, providing public notices of the common COVID-19 symptoms, and providing CDC guidelines on pandemic protocols.

All other Texas counties can reopen businesses at 25% capacity.