Coronavirus live updates June 18: 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.
Fort Worth school district will offer option of online classes in fall amid COVID-19
The Fort Worth school district announced Wednesday that students may choose between returning to the classroom or continuing their learning online in the fall as the novel coronavirus continues to spread.
Starting July 1, parents will have the option of enrolling their students in the virtual program, which the district stressed will be more robust than it was in the spring and have higher expectations for both students and teachers.
Additionally, based on community feedback, the district chose not to move its start date. The first day of school will be Aug. 17, and all Fort Worth school district teachers will report to school in person, regardless of whether they are teaching online, in the classroom or both.
Clint Bond, a spokesman for the district, wrote in an email Wednesday that teachers have been receiving training and will often be with students in the classroom while they simultaneously teach kids who are learning virtually from home.
The district is still working on specifics. It plans to share details before school resumes on how it will handle a positive COVID-19 test of a student, teacher or staff member.
The district is not planning for longer breaks throughout the school year, Bond said. Students who return to the classroom will be required to be there every day. The district is discussing options regarding staggered start times, Bond said.
Fort Worth, Arlington mayors say they won’t require businesses to mandate face masks
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley don’t plan to require businesses mandate face masks to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, even after Gov. Greg Abbott gave his approval of Bexar County’s plan to do so and other local officials said they would consider similar orders.
“While we all agree that we’re glad the governor has given us that authority, we do not feel like at this point in time, at least in Tarrant County, that we want to require it,” Whitley said Wednesday afternoon.
Across the state mayors and county judge’s said they were considering following in Bexar County’s footsteps after Abbott clarified local officials can impose face mask requirements on businesses — but not individuals.
“Mayor Price does not intend to regulate businesses through mandating face coverings,” Laken Rapier, a spokeswoman for Price, wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon. “Rather, Mayor Price continues to strongly encourage residents to continue taking precautions such as practicing social distancing and wearing face coverings in public.”
Rapier said they want businesses to know they have the option of mandating face masks under Abbott’s order, but that Price “does not want to put the onus of requirement on the backs of our businesses.”
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Williams said that no mask directive or order is planned or needed in Arlington currently, but stressed that masks are a proven and easy way to reduce the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations over Time
Coronavirus daily hospitalization counts in Texas and the larger Trauma Service Areas, beginning April 8, 2020. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services.
Tarrant County coronavirus hospitalizations surge past previous record set in May
Tarrant County reported 180 new coronavirus cases and one death on Wednesday.
The latest death is a Fort Worth man in his 90s with underlying health conditions.
Tarrant County has confirmed a total of 7,822 COVID-19 cases, including 199 deaths and at least 3,427 recoveries.
There are a record 261 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Tarrant County as of Wednesday afternoon, according to data provided by health officials. That’s the highest such number since there were 252 on May 15. The seven-day moving average for occupied hospital beds for COVID-19 was 207 on Monday, the most recent data available. That’s up 35 patients since June 6. The county hit a pandemic high seven-day average of 231 on May 11.
The 180 new cases on Wednesday are the most reported since 306 were reported six days ago.
Of the total pandemic deaths in the county, 118 have been in Fort Worth.
Dallas County reports record COVID-19 cases including spike at child care facilities
Dallas County reported a single-day high 413 new coronavirus cases and nine deaths on Wednesday.
The county has passed 15,000 COVID-19 cases and 300 deaths as the pandemic continues to surge during June.
The previous high for cases was 345 on Saturday. The county has reported 300 or more cases the past eight days and at least 200 for the past three weeks.
The nine latest pandemic deaths include four patients with no underlying conditions, including a Dallas man in his 40s who was a resident of a long-term care facility. The deceased included four in Dallas, two in Mesquite and one each in Duncanville, Grand Prairie and Lancaster. Three men and a woman were in their 60s, two men and a woman were in their 70s, and one woman was in her 90s and a resident of a Dallas long-term care facility.
Health officials are reporting more than 17 COVID-19 cases in children and staff from nine different child care facilities during the past week, including additional illness in associated family members with affected children. Officials said that before this week only one child care facility had reported COVID-19 cases the previous two months.
“Increasing outbreaks of cases are being reported from multiple large social gatherings since the beginning of June,” the county reported in a release. “The recent death of a 12-year-old is under investigation by the Medical Examiner’s office as a COVID-19 associated death.”
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said there has been a 40% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county over the past two weeks.
“If these percentage increases continue, many more people will get sick and die in the coming weeks,” Jenkins said in a release.
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.
Texas coronavirus cases surging as more than 7,000 are reported in past two days
Texas coronavirus cases are surging and the past two days have seen the largest two-day increase in new cases since the pandemic began in March.
The increase in new cases is, in part, due to previously known cases in the Texas prison system which had not been added to the statewide totals. That includes more than 1,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases among inmates.
The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting 4,098 cases on Tuesday and 3,129 on Wednesday. The previous high for new cases was 2,504 on June 10.
Dallas County reported a single-day record 413 coronavirus cases and nine deaths on Wednesday. Tarrant County reported 180 new cases and one death. Denton County reported a single-day high 82 new cases.
Coronavirus deaths are also on the rise in Texas. Health officials reported 33 more on Wednesday and 46 on Tuesday. The two-day total of 79 is the largest two-day total since 89 deaths were reported on May 15-16.
Hospitalizations of COVID patients in Texas reach all-time high for sixth day in a row
Hospitalizations of patients with the novel coronavirus in Texas hit an all-time high Wednesday, making it the sixth day in a row that they have broken records.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 2,793 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Wednesday — an increase of 275 patients from the previous record of 2,518 patients hospitalized Tuesday.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have set records nine of the past 10 days. From Monday to Wednesday last week, hospitalizations broke records before dipping back down to 2,008 patients on Thursday. Since then, the figures have continued to rise with 2,166 patients Friday, 2,242 patients Saturday, 2,287 patients Sunday and 2,326 hospitalized Monday.
Hospitalizations are one of the key metrics Gov. Greg Abbott has said he is monitoring. In a press conference Tuesday, Abbott said that the increase in hospitalizations “does raise concerns,” but that “there is no reason right now to be alarmed.”
Abbott pointed to an “abundant supply” of available beds. As of Wednesday morning, DSHS reported 13,815 beds, 1,473 intensive care unit beds and 5,844 ventilators available in the state.
Mexican restaurant in downtown Fort Worth closes; West 7th brewpub up for sale
Cantina Laredo has become the second downtown anchor restaurant to close as the coronavirus recession continues to affect restaurants.
The Fort Worth location in The Tower, 530 Throckmorton St., is no longer listed on the company website, and former employees posting on social media say it has closed.
A publicist for Dallas-based Consolidated Restaurant Operations did not respond to an emailed question. The company also owns El Chico, Cantina Laredo’s spiritual ancestor, along with other restaurants that remain open, including a Silver Fox Steakhouse in Fort Worth.
Cantina Laredo is the second anchor restaurant to close downtown, following Bird Cafe.
Cantina Laredo is also the second flashy Tex-Mex restaurant to close downtown in the last year. Meso Maya, owned by the El Fenix chain, closed a Main Street location before coronavirus hit.
UIL will allow live broadcasts of Friday night football games amid COVID-19 pandemic
The University Interscholastic League lifted its broadcasting limitations of Friday night high school football games for one year during its Legislative Committee meeting on Wednesday via teleconference.
Normal rules prohibit live broadcasts of football games.
However, the UIL will allow it for just the 2020 football season in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
According to Gov. Abbott’s latest announcement in early June, stadiums can be open to 50% capacity.
“We think it’s important and you know how I have always stood for protecting Friday nights. It has been a passion for all our schools,” said UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt. “The Friday night lights element still exists in Texas and we don’t believe COVID-19 is going to do away with that.”
The one-year change allows for spectators, who are “fearful especially the elderly and senior citizens,” to stay at home and watch games “based on what the local district allows in agreement between the two schools.”
Hood County reports woman in her 50s is fourth coronavirus death, but cases remain low
Hood County health officials reported the fourth coronavirus-related death on Tuesday.
A woman in her 50s died earlier this month while hospitalized outside of the county.
Hood County, which includes Granbury, Lipan, Tolar and Pecan Plantation, has confirmed 35 COVID-19 cases, including five active cases and at least 28 recoveries.
Three of the four pandemic deaths were residents 65 or older.
The county has reported 2,001 negative tests and are awaiting the results for 84. The current positive test rate is 2.2%, according to health officials. There have been 44 positive tests out of 2,045 (which includes some repeated patients).