Coronavirus live updates June 10: 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.
Protests, graduations, parties might cause Tarrant COVID cases to spike, officials say
Graduations, protests, family gatherings and big parties.
These events are threats to the health of the community as coronavirus cases continue to grow in Tarrant County, Texas and across the country, Public Health Director Vinny Taneja said Tuesday.
That’s why health officials are working to add attendance of large public events to the criteria that allows individuals to be tested for COVID-19, he said.
While that should soon be an option, Taneja still cautioned people to take precautions if they participate in these types of events.
“All of those group gatherings do give us concern,” he said Tuesday after giving a coronavirus update to Tarrant County cCommissioners. “What we do remind people is always to take precautions: Wear a mask when you’re out in public, stay socially distant.
“If all of those things are done by everybody, we can go about doing our business in a safe way.”
Texas sees record number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 for third day in a row
Hospitalizations of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have hit a record high in Texas for the third day in a row.
Wednesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 2,153 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 — an increase of 97 patients from Tuesday when 2,056 were hospitalized and 218 more than the 1,935 people hospitalized on Monday.
Hospitalizations have been on an upward trend since late May, and have increased by nearly 42.5% since the 1,511 patients hospitalized on Memorial Day. Before Monday, the previous record for hospitalizations was on May 5 when 1,888 patients were hospitalized.
As the state reopens and businesses increase the number of customers allowed in person, Gov. Greg Abbott has stressed that hospitalizations and the rate of positive cases are some of the key metrics he is assessing.
John Wittman, a spokesman for Abbott, wrote in email Wednesday that “every Texan who needs access to a hospital bed will have access to a hospital bed.”
The state has 13,645 available beds, 1,508 intensive care unit beds and 5,934 ventilators available, and Wittman noted the state has “the ability to surge capacity in regions across the state if necessary.”
Tarrant County reports 6 coronavirus deaths — 3 in Fort Worth and 3 in Arlington
Tarrant County reported six more coronavirus deaths and 64 new cases on Tuesday.
The latest deaths include three Fort Worth residents and three Arlington residents. The ages include a woman in her 50s, a woman in her 70s, a woman and two men in their 80s, and a man in his 90s.
All six had underlying health conditions, according to county health officials.
The county has confirmed a total of 6,433 COVID-19 cases, including 184 deaths and at least 2,864 recoveries.
Of the total pandemic deaths in the county, there have been 111 in Fort Worth and 22 in Arlington.
Almost 70% of the COVID-19 deaths in Tarrant County have been residents 65 or older. That age group, however, only makes up 16% of those who have contracted the coronavirus. Ages 45 to 64 make up 27% of the deaths. Ages 25 to 44 make up 5% of the deaths, despite accounting for 37% of the cases.
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 7 more coronavirus deaths, ties single-day record for new cases
Dallas County reported seven more coronavirus cases and tied its single-day high with 298 new cases on Tuesday.
The latest pandemic deaths include three Dallas residents and residents of Irving, Mesquite, Garland and Seagoville.
The deaths include a Mesquite woman in her 30s and a Dallas woman in her 40s, both of whom had underlying health conditions.
The other deaths include a Garland woman in her 50s with underlying health conditions and a Dallas woman in her 50s with no underlying health conditions. Two men in their 70s and a woman in her 80s all had underlying conditions, including two who were residents of long-term care facilities in Irving and Seagoville.
Dallas County has confirmed a total of 12,645 COVID-19 cases, including 271 deaths.
The county has reported 200 or more new cases for 13 consecutive days, including 298 on June 5. The county has averaged 280 new cases the past five days.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a press release and on social media that the increase in new cases could be, in part, because of increased testing throughout the county.
“Keep in mind that we have more testing capability this week and that will continue to ramp up,” Jenkins said. “The number of hospitalizations, ER visits for COVID-19 and ICU admissions for COVID-19 remains flat, which means we have yet to see that 14-day decline or really any decline that the doctors want to see before loosening restrictions.”
Denton County reports 3rd coronavirus death in 5 days, most new cases in 3 weeks
Denton County reported a coronavirus death for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.
A male resident of The Colony in his 50s is the 35th pandemic-related death in the county and the third in the past five days.
Health officials did not report whether the man had underlying health conditions. He’s the second Denton County resident in his 50s to die from the coronavirus and the first man in his 50s. Of the 35 who have died, 32 have been 60 or older.
The county reported 35 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 1,559, including 779 recoveries. It’s the most new cases reported by the county since 45 on May 20.
There have been 89 confirmed cases in The Colony, including 45 recoveries. The latest death is the third from The Colony in Denton County. Parts of the city are also in Collin County.
Denton County Public Health is providing a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing center in Carrollton from 8 to noon Friday at Creekview High School, 3201 Old Denton Road.
To be eligible for testing, residents must have COVID-19 symptoms or have been symptomatic within the past week. Essential employees and people who have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 are also eligible for testing.
You must register for the test by calling 940-349-2585.
New testing 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.
Mercy Clinic, CVS offering free ‘rapid’ coronavirus tests in South Fort Worth
Mercy Clinic in south Fort Worth began rapid COVID-19 testing Tuesday in a partnership with CVS Health.
The clinic is located at 775 West Bowie St. near Travis Avenue Baptist Church and is free to the public. Appointments must be made by pre-registering in advance by calling 817-840-3501. A vehicle is not required, and results will be provided “on-the-spot,” according to a news release.
To be eligible, patients need to meet symptomatic criteria established by the CDC and at least 18.
Licensed health care providers from MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic of CVS Health, and CVS Pharmacy employees will staff the operation.
“The heart of the mission of Mercy Clinic is to provide compassionate medical care to those in need,” Mercy Clinic Executive Director Peggy Leitch said in a release. “This partnership with CVS Health allows our organization to make a significant contribution during a time when our community is facing great need.”
The CVS Health Foundation is a charitable entity associated with CVS Health which has a longstanding relationship with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics to help increase access to care for underserved populations.
This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 5:00 AM.