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.

Here’s what Tarrant County is trying to do now that ‘our economy is in the toilet’

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley repeatedly urged people to stay home as coronavirus cases quickly spread through North Texas in March and April.

Now he’s hoping people will do the opposite — but safely.

As word came Tuesday that coronavirus cases are still trending downward in Tarrant County, Whitley noted that the economy is too.

“I think we have done significant damage to the economy,” Whitley said after Tuesday’s commissioners court meeting, referring to the more than monthlong stay-at-home orders that shut down many businesses. “Our economy is in the toilet.”

That’s why he and county commissioners approved agreements Tuesday to share some of the $210 million the county received from the federal government to help cover costs related to COVID-19 with local cities stretching from Crowley to Westover Hills.

That’s why the county is working to soon give some of that money to small businesses to help with their recovery.

And that’s why he’s encouraging local restaurants to open to 50% capacity, even if there’s not enough room for tables to be 6 feet apart, as recommended for social distancing.

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

With many coronavirus restrictions lifted, gun shows are returning to Fort Worth area

Gun shows are coming back to North Texas after COVID-19 restrictions closed them down.

Gun stores were listed as essential businesses when the stay-at-home orders came down in March, but shows were canceled because of size limits on gatherings.

Michelle Finucane, who runs Premier Gun Shows, which bills itself as the largest gun show promoter in Texas, said she is reviewing the guidelines in Gov. Greg Abbott’s April 27 order and the report on reopening Texas.

Finucane said attendees at the show June 6-7 at the NyTex Sports Centre in North Richland Hills will get information about social distancing and face coverings with signs and announcements.

She added that during the stay-at-home orders vendors and their businesses were affected by the event cancellations.

“As you can well imagine, like so many in retail, our vendors are hurting very much financially,” she said.

Finucane said the North Richland Hills show isn’t the first in North Texas as several shows took place recently.

Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a lobbying organization for the gun industry, said that when the pandemic took hold in March and April, the U.S. saw brisk firearms sales and its highest number of background checks since record keeping began in 1999.

Tarrant County reports 89 new coronavirus cases, deaths of two in their 40s

Tarrant County reported 89 new coronavirus cases and two more deaths on Tuesday.

Those who died were both in their 40s, an Arlington woman and a Fort Worth man. Both had underlying health conditions.

Tarrant County has confirmed 5,623 COVID-19 cases, including 167 deaths and 2,374 recoveries.

Of the 167 coronavirus-related deaths in the county, 101 have been Fort Worth residents and 18 have been Arlington residents.

Dallas County reports worst day of coronavirus-related deaths, cases during pandemic

Dallas County reported a record single-day high 16 coronavirus-related deaths and 257 new cases Tuesday.

The marked increase of new COVID-19 cases follows an upward trend the past six days.

Among the latest deaths, 13 were Dallas residents and one each were residents of Duncanville, Lancaster and Mesquite. Three were residents of long-term care facilities.

The ages of the deceased include one in his 40s, two in their 50s, five in their 60s, three in their 70s, three in their 80s, a man in his 90s, and a man in his 100s. Six of 16 did not have underlying health conditions, officials said.

The county has confirmed 10,719 COVID-19 cases, including 245 deaths.

The previous single-day high of new coronavirus cases was 253, which happened on May 5 and 11.

“We’ve seen a trend upward from well below 200 at the beginning of last week to the mid-200s this week in new cases,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a release and on social media.

The county reported a sustained daily intake of new cases, including 21% of emergency room visits in a 24-hour period ending Monday with COVID-19 symptoms. That 21% represents 366 ER patients, health officials said.

This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM.