Coronavirus live updates June 9: Here’s what to know in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
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.
New site to open on Miller Avenue
A new temporary mobile coronavirus testing site will be set up in Fort Worth Friday and Saturday.
The drive-through site will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at the Miller Avenue Government Center, 3500 Miller Ave.
Tests at this site are by appointment only. To register for a test, visit txcovidtest.org or call 512-883-2400.
Tarrant County Commissioners unanimously approved this location Tuesday.
This testing site is being operated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, which is using a team from the Texas Military Department to conduct the COVID-19 tests.
Officials say this is an “ideal” testing site because it is near several ZIP codes most affected by COVID-19.
Texas to increase COVID testing in minority communities and cities with large protests
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that the state will ramp up testing for the novel coronavirus in minority communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the virus.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management will work with local officials to bring additional walk-up and drive-through testing sites to underserved areas. The agency is working with officials in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, El Paso, Abilene, the Rio Grande Valley, the Coastal Bend, Laredo and Midland-Odessa to identify areas, with more to come in the coming days.
Seth Christensen, a spokesman for the division, wrote in an email Monday that the agency has been in discussions with Tarrant County Emergency Management and Tarrant County Public Health on the topic, and that the two are working together to finalize the details.
“As the State of Texas continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we are committed to ensuring every Texan has access to COVID-19 testing no matter where they live,” Abbott said in a statement Monday. “We must address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underserved and minority communities and ensure that anyone who needs a test can have one.“
Monday’s announcement comes after the Texas Health and Human Services Commission also said it plans to study the virus’ affect on vulnerable populations, including looking at factors such as race and ethnicity.
In addition, the division is also working to offer more testing sites in cities where large protests spurred by the death of George Floyd have occurred. Public health officials in Austin have recommended all residents who participated in protests get tested for COVID-19, even if they’re not showing symptoms.
Hometown Hero: This ‘bundle of energy’ inspires others to step up during the coronavirus pandemic
Carolyn Critz worked as a nurse for 21 years, so for her, helping people is nothing new.
Known as a “bundle of energy,” Critz’s name always comes up when opportunities to help arise, her fellow volunteers say. Now retired, she has donated her free time to helping communities affected by the novel coronavirus. Her passion to help during the crisis has inspired others to step up as well.
On Thursday afternoons, Critz helps the University Christian Church distribute face mask kits to the community. She’s been a church member since 2007. So far, Critz said, the church has given out more than 1,000 kits. Each one contains enough fabric and elastic bands to make 10 masks. Victory Awning of Fort Worth provided material for the kits.
Twice a week Critz makes at least 20 sandwiches for the Presbyterian Night Shelter, which needs at least 300 lunches a day. The night shelter’s lunch program was in a free-fall when the pandemic hit because volunteers were not allowed to visit. Once health officials determined it was safe for people to make sandwiches at home for the shelter, Critz knew she had to help.
When the pandemic forced children to finish their classes at home, the Fort Worth school district distributed hot spots to families without internet access, and Critz stepped in to help deliver them to students at the International Newcomer Academy. It wasn’t just the hot spots though: Critz also took them food and books.
And Critz has also been collecting new or gently used sheets and towels for the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition.
Critz’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Fellow church member Anne Sanders nominated Critz for recognition in the Star-Telegram’s Hometown Heroes series because of her continued volunteer efforts and the leadership she has shown during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tarrant County saw spike in new coronavirus cases last week; 219 reported Monday
Tarrant County reported 219 new coronavirus cases Monday, including 164 cases because of a “backlog due to a lab reporting issue,” according to health officials.
The county has confirmed a total of 6,369 COVID-19 cases, including 178 deaths and at least 2,743 recoveries. Patients aren’t required to report their recovery to the county health department.
It’s the first day health officials haven’t reported at least one pandemic-related death since June 1.
But the official case data provided by the county shows new cases increased the week of May 31 compared with the previous week. Tarrant County Public Health officials said that the clearest and most accurate data on COVID-19 cases and trends is about a week behind.
The week beginning May 31 saw an increase in weekly new coronavirus cases from the previous week (May 24-30) of 129. The week of May 31-June 6, 662 cases were reported, compared with 533 the previous week. Texas health officials have said new cases may increase as more testing takes place, including additional testing at nursing homes.
It’s the first weekly increase in Tarrant County since the week that began May 3, which saw a spike of 483 more new cases than the previous week. That week’s report included more than 400 cases at a federal prison.
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.
Dallas County reports more than 200 new coronavirus cases for 12th consecutive day
Dallas County reported more than 200 new coronavirus cases for the 12th consecutive day on Monday.
The 254 new cases are a slight decrease from the previous three-day average of 283 cases. The county has confirmed a total of 12,347 COVID-19 cases, including 264 deaths.
The county reported no pandemic-related deaths on Monday for the first time since June 1. From June 2 to June 7, 35 deaths were confirmed.
“We’re hopeful that the increase that we saw over the last few days was due to population testing in nursing homes and other factors and not the beginning of a spike in cases,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a news release and on social media.
Jenkins urged residents who have taken part in social justice protests and mass gatherings the past week to take advantage of free COVID-19 testing sites.
Free testing sites by car include American Airlines Center and Ellis David Field House in Dallas. If you’re not in a car, Red Bird Mall and Inspired Vision Compassion Center are also offering walk-up testing from 8 a .m. to 2 p.m. daily through Saturday.
“If you’ve been involved in a protest and your involvement was 5-plus days ago, you’re eligible for a free test at any of those locations,” Jenkins said. “We also recommend that persons who participated in the protests avoid coming into contact with people who are 60 or older or have underlying health conditions.”
Protesters seeking COVID-19 tests won’t have their involvement reported to law enforcement, Jenkins said.
“It’s important that you know your status to protect yourself, your family and the community,” he said.
UT Arlington to require everyone to wear face coverings on campus due to coronavirus
As UT Arlington plans to have students back on campus in the fall, it will require anyone on campus to wear a face covering to minimize the risk of COVID-19, according to a university email sent Monday.
This protocol will go into effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday and be in place until further notice, the message stated. It will apply to students, staff, faculty, contractors, vendors, suppliers and visitors.
Wearing a mask or other face covering will be required inside UTA campus buildings and where social distancing is difficult to maintain, such as student shuttle buses or crowded outdoor events. It will not be required for people inside private offices, in residence hall rooms or apartments, or alone in labs.
Reusable, washable face masks will be available at the university’s Central Library and University Center.
The university announced its plan to return to campus on May 8 after much of the spring semester was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the message, the university said it will have a mixture of in-person and online learning and will aim to finish the semester without students on campus after Thanksgiving break.
Denton County reports 34th coronavirus death, announces free testing Tuesday at UNT
Denton County reported its 34th coronavirus-related death on Monday.
A Denton man in his 60s died. Officials did not say whether he had underlying health conditions.
“Please continue to share your thoughts and prayers with this individual’s friends and family members,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said in a release. “COVID-19 remains deadly, and we urge you to take the public health precautions of social distancing and mask utilization seriously as our community reopens.”
It’s the first pandemic-related death in the county since Friday.
The county reported 24 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 1,524, including 717 recoveries.
Denton County Public Health is providing a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing center at the University of North Texas’ Union Circle Parking Garage, at 350 S. Welch Street in Denton, from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday.
Any resident is eligible if they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been symptomatic within the past week or are an essential employee.
Residents must register for the test by calling 940-349-2585.
Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor to reopen June 22 with new safety protocols
Arlington’s Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will reopen to the general public in late June, more three months after the company shuttered the parks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But the well-known summer hot spots will look a little different, Six Flags announced on Thursday — from the limited capacity of riders allowed in, to the online reservation system that will replace long entrance lines, to the mandatory health screenings and enhanced sanitation protocols.
Hurricane Harbor, a water park featuring slides and a wave pool, is first letting its members and pass holders come back to the park on June 18, Six Flags announced on Thursday. Its theme park counterpart, Six Flags Over Texas, which sits on the other side of I-30, is letting its more dedicated patrons back starting on June 19. And then both of the parks will open to everyone on June 22.
They are returning to business under the states reopening plan from Gov. Greg Abbott, who on Wednesday said theme parks and carnivals in counties with less than 1,000 confirmed coronavirus cases could reopen immediately at 50 percent capacity. In counties with more than 1,000 infected residents, which includes Tarrant County, the parks can reopen starting June 19 at 50 percent capacity.
Swimming pools and water parks can increase to 50 percent capacity immediately, with no limitations for businesses located in counties with more than 1,000 coronavirus cases, Abbott announced.
Socially-distanced locker rooms, lots of PPE are among new safety measures for NFL camps
Coach Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff were allowed to report back at work last Friday but there is still no timeline for the Dallas Cowboys players to return to the team’s facilities.
The NFL has released some preliminary protocols for when the Cowboys and the rest of the teams will be able to welcome players back during the lingering coronavirus pandemic. The NFL Players Association would have to sign-off on any plan.
Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all teams on Sunday informing them of the standards that have been developed to date. The topics include sections on players, staff, and family education and facility preparation and maintenance, including disinfection and hygiene.
A nine-page document was attached to the memo, outlining team facility protocols for 2020. In addition to making sure that teams’ locker rooms can accommodate players staying socially-distant by at least six feet, the document required that all meetings be held virtually as much as possible.
As far as the Cowboys are concerned, they have ample room to accommodate the players in a socially-distanced manner given that they have 74 spaces in their main locker room at The Star in Frisco and nearly 30 in a back locker room that is reserved for rookies during the offseason. And then the Cowboys have another 100 spots inside Ford Center that are used by high school teams for games in the fall.
As MLB’s haggling continues, a question emerges: Who cares if there’s a 2020 season?
The NBA and NHL have announced plans for their return to competition, and athletic directors are increasingly optimistic that college football will be played in the fall.
Meanwhile, Major League Baseball continues to spin its wheels deeper and deeper into the mud, and the opportunity for the sport to serve as a beacon during these darkened times has dimmed considerably.
A 50-game season forced upon the players by the owners stands as the best-case scenario in light of what has happened the past few weeks and Monday.
What appeared to be actual good news arrived in the morning, when reports surfaced that MLB’s owners had made a new proposal to the MLB Players Association.
A 76-game season would be played with players making 75% of their pro-rated salaries. Teams would not receive draft pick compensation for signing free agents this offseason, long a sticking point with the union, and players would share from a larger pool of playoff money.
Sounds good, right? Well ...
The players called the offer a “step backward.” They said they are guaranteed only 50% of their pro-rated salary, and would make 75% only if the postseason isn’t canceled by a second wave of coronavirus.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 5:00 AM.