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 reports single-day high in new coronavirus cases as deaths, cases double in May

Texas reported a single-day high 1,855 new coronavirus cases and 39 deaths on Thursday.

The total of COVID-19 cases in the state has doubled since May 1 to 59,776, including 1,601 deaths.

Pandemic-related deaths in Texas have also nearly doubled since a total of 816 was reported on May 1.

The previous single-day high of new cases was 1,801 on May 16.

The state has ramped up its testing capabilities in the past month, including a record 42,109 new tests reported on Monday. On Wednesday, more than 34,000 new tests were reported. There were 17,544 tests reported on Thursday.

Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, wrote in an email Thursday night that the spike in new cases is partially due to a catch-up in reporting after fewer cases were reported over the holiday weekend. In addition, Van Deusen said the state is seeing results from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s COVID-19 testing.

American Airlines to cut 5,000 jobs, mostly in Dallas-Fort Worth, in COVID downsizing

American Airlines plans to cut an estimated 5,000 jobs as part of its effort to become a smaller company in response to COVID-19 — and most of those cuts likely will be in the Fort Worth area.

The Fort Worth-based airline informed employees of the plan in a letter Wednesday night. About 30% of jobs in management and support services will be lost.

American’s plans do not affect flight crews or mechanics.

However, in the past two months about 4,500 employees — many of them pilots and flight attendants — have taken early retirement and another 34,500 workers have taken voluntary leaves of absence as the airline strives to weather a near-shut down of the air travel industry caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The airline will first seek management and support employees willing to voluntarily leave, before deciding by July how many remaining workers will be laid off, Elise Eberwein, American vice president of people and communications, said in a letter to employees.

“There is no doubt this is going to be a painful time for all, especially for our departing colleagues, who have given American Airlines their all and are leaving through no fault of their own,” Eberwein wrote.

Pro sports leagues can have some fans at outdoor events in Texas amid coronavirus

Under a revised order from the state, professional sports leagues may have a limited number of fans at outdoor events in Texas amid the novel coronavirus’ outbreak.

Earlier this month, when Gov. Greg Abbott announced pro sports may resume May 31 there was one big caveat: no in-person spectators allowed.

However, on May 22, a revised proclamation was issued to allow spectators at outdoor events up to 25% of the venue’s capacity, and new guidance was posted on the governor’s “Strike Force to Open Texas” webpage detailing health and safety measures leagues should consider. Fans are still prohibited at indoor venues.

At the time, Abbott had not publicly announced the revision — which came four days after his initial announcement that professional basketball, baseball, auto racing, football, golf, softball and tennis leagues may resume events.

John Wittman, a spokesman for Abbott, said Thursday that the allowance for fans was unanimously approved by the medical team advising Abbott on reopening Texas.

“It was brought up again in another call with the doctors, and the medical team said that they could move forward with 25% capacity,” Wittman said.

Tarrant County reports 104 new coronavirus cases, three deaths in Fort Worth, Hurst

Tarrant County reported three more coronavirus-related deaths and 104 new cases on Thursday.

The latest deaths include a woman in her 50s and a man in his 80s from Fort Worth and a Hurst woman in her 70s. All had underlying conditions, according to health officials.

Tarrant County has confirmed 5,294 COVID-19 cases, including 158 deaths and 2,040 recoveries.

Of the total pandemic-related deaths in the county, there have been 96 in Fort Worth and two in Hurst. The other deaths include 16 in Arlington, 13 in Keller, five each in Benbrook and Grapevine, three each in Mansfield and rural parts of Tarrant County, two each in Azle, Forest Hill and Haltom City, and one each in Bedford, Grand Prairie, Kennedale, Lakeside, River Oaks, Sansom Park, Southlake, White Settlement, and Watauga.

Dallas County reports more than 200 coronavirus cases for first time in almost a week

Dallas County reported 202 new coronavirus cases and an additional death Thursday.

The latest death is of a Dallas man in his 80s who was a resident of a long-term care facility. He had an underlying health condition, according to officials.

It’s the first time the county has reported at least 200 new COVID-19 cases in a day since May 22.

The county has confirmed 9,587 COVID-19 cases, including 222 deaths. The county is not reporting recoveries.

More than a third of the total deaths in Dallas County have been residents of long-term care facilities.

“There’s a slight uptick today in the number of positive cases but that’s only one day and too small of an uptick to start any sort of a trend,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said. “We must continue to practice good decision making and the best way to do that is to go to http://DallasCountyCOVID.org and download the color-coded chart prepared by local health experts as to what activities are safe to perform and how best to perform them.”

Pro rodeo returns to Fort Worth as sport tries to bounce back from coronavirus pandemic

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is back in action with its “Kick Open The Chutes” program after many shows were wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.

The world’s top pro rodeo organization opened its chutes for the first time since March 15 last weekend in Cave Creek, Arizona, near Phoenix.

The PRCA’s next stop is this weekend in Fort Worth. PRCA organizers have cut a deal to transfer the remainder of the Houston Rodeo’s preliminary performances to Cowtown Coliseum in the Stockyards.

No fans will be allowed to attend and the performances Friday-Sunday will be broadcast on the Cowboy Channel.

Rodeo athletes must wear masks unless competing or taking part in TV interviews, and all personnel must undergo temperature screening and answer medical questions.

Being a season-ticket holder might not guarantee a seat at TCU football games this fall

TCU has approximately 30,000 season-ticket holders for football games at 46,000-seat Amon G. Carter Stadium.

If capacity for fall sporting events is limited anywhere from 25% to 50% at venues to limit mass gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, it would mean difficult decisions are on the horizon for the TCU athletic department with how to distribute tickets fairly among season-ticket holders and even students.

If capacity is limited to 25% (11,500), more than 60% of season-ticket holders couldn’t attend games. Even at 50% (23,000), a significant number would be left out. Given that, it seems unlikely that TCU would even be able to offer single-game tickets with a limited capacity leaving season-ticket holders out.

“It’s still early to predict or to assume we can get to a higher capacity,” TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said. “But we are hopeful to have as many fans as possible.”

Donati said the department will distribute tickets as fairly as possible, adding: “We will do our absolute best to accommodate as many fans as possible.”

They aren’t yet together, but here’s how Texas Rangers players are preparing to be

Texas Rangers pitchers and hitters were told 10 days ago to shift into a higher gear to get ready for a possible season in 2020.

Despite the back-and-forth Tuesday and Wednesday from team owners and the players, seeing live baseball this year is still a possibility.

At the very least, clubs must prepare as if they will be back in spring training next month and starting an abbreviated season in early July.

So, Rangers pitchers have been throwing live batting practice, when possible, and attempting to build up to where they left off when MLB suspended spring training on March 13. Hitters are seeing pitches from a machine and, in some instance, in live batting practice.

Pitching coach Julio Rangel and hitting coach Luis Ortiz, who participated Thursday in a Zoom call with local writers, believe baseball will be played this season despite the haggling over financial issues.

“I think what’s going on right now is what usually goes on when they’re trying to finish a CBA or they’re negotiating anything,” Ortiz said. “It just so happens that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, all the interest is on them and everything is magnified.

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

George Strait talks — and sings — about coronavirus safety in a new video from Texas

When it comes to coronavirus safety, the King of Country has spoken.

George Strait partnered with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to release a video on Thursday about preventing the spread of COVID-19 as the state reopens during the pandemic. You can even hear the country star sing — albeit briefly — in his message to Texans.

“Hi, I’m George Strait,” he says. “We all know that being Texan means being friendly. And as we open Texas back up, it’s important that we stay extra friendly by thinking about all our fellow Texans.”