Coronavirus live updates June 26: 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.
Tarrant County passes 10,000 COVID-19 cases with record day; 3 new deaths in Arlington
Tarrant County passed 10,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday with a single-day high 517 cases and three more deaths.
The latest COVID-19 deaths include three Arlington residents — two men in their 60s and 80s, and a woman in her 80s. Each had underlying health conditions.
Tarrant County has confirmed a total of 10,363 COVID-19 cases, including 218 deaths and at least 4,771 recoveries.
The record number of coronavirus cases includes an even more concerning number of hospitalizations, which have been at pandemic-high and increasing levels since June 16. Data shows the county reported 339 confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Wednesday, including 90 ICU patients.
Tarrant County officials and mayors of Fort Worth, Arlington and Burleson announced Thursday that businesses are required to enforce face coverings for employees and patrons beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. The order extends through Aug. 3.
“This is the right next step to take,” Mayor Betsy Price said. “We need your help. We need you to follow these orders. We need you to mask up.”
Texas coronavirus cases hit another all-time high as hospitalizations, deaths surge
The coronavirus pandemic continued its surge in Texas on Thursday as officials reported record increases in new cases, hospitalizations and 47 more deaths, the largest single-day total in more than a month.
Texas reported 5,996 COVID-19 cases for a total of 131,917 confirmed cases, including 2,296 deaths. It’s the third consecutive day the state has reported a record. The 10 highest days of new cases have all come in the past 10 days.
Thursday’s 47 deaths are the most since health officials reported 50 on May 20.
Most alarming for health officials, hospitalizations for COVID-19 increased to 4,739, up 350 patients from Wednesday.
The state has tested 1,659,340 residents, including 29,082 since Wednesday.
Estimated active cases over time
Coronavirus daily active case estimates by local counties in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex, beginning April 8, 2020. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services.
Fort Worth councilman tests positive for coronavirus. ‘Mask up,’ he says
Fort Worth Councilman Cary Moon tested positive Thursday for coronavirus and is urging people to wear a mask.
Moon began to feel slightly sick Tuesday, but assumed his symptoms were related to allergies. By Wednesday he had a fever and decided to get tested. His symptoms have been mild.
Contract tracing has not revealed the source, he said. Moon was on a bus with other city officials on Friday for Opal Lee’s Juneteenth march, but said everyone wore a mask and social distanced. Over the weekend he said he was with family.
“We thought we were doing everything right,” he said. “I think this is a reminder to people. Mask up.”
During the city council meeting Tuesday at City Hall, Moon was seen coughing into his arm a few times. During the council’s work session, he didn’t wear a mask while sitting down, but a Plexiglas shield and another seat separated him form Councilman Brian Byrd. Councilman Dennis Shingleton sat across the wide table from Moon, also without a mask.
Tarrant County will require face masks at all businesses amid surge of COVID-19 cases
Face masks will be required in all Tarrant County businesses and at outdoor gatherings with more than 100 people, County Judge Glen Whitley announced Thursday.
The executive order goes into effect at 6 p.m. Friday and will run through 6 a.m. Aug. 3.
“This marks the next stage in our fight against COVID-19,” said Whitley in making the announcement. “In an effort not to have to go back to the restrictions of March ... I believe masks are our best alternative at this time.”
“If you leave home, put on a mask.”
Whitley was joined by Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter and several doctors and health officials in making the announcement during a morning press conference.
It is up to cities to enforce the order. Businesses that don’t comply could face a fine of up to $1,000.
Fort Worth suburb won’t enforce face mask order as COVID-19 surges in Tarrant County
On the same day Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley announced that face masks will be required in all businesses and at large outdoor gatherings, Colleyville officials said the order won’t be enforced in their city limits.
“The City of Colleyville will not adopt any formal action enacting this measure nor provide enforcement,” according to a message posted on the city’s Facebook page. “Questions regarding the regulation should be directed to Tarrant County.”
The statement for the city of about 26,000 in the northeastern part of the county noted that officials there “appreciate and follow” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s leadership.
As COVID-19 cases skyrocket across the state, Abbott has urged people to stay at home, but declined to put in place mask requirements or new stay-at-home orders. He said local officials could put mask requirements in place for businesses but not individuals.
After the Colleyville statement was made public, Whitley said he’s “very disappointed they are taking that stance. We are trying to do things to prevent their businesses from being shut down.”
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.
Fort Worth’s Main St. Arts Festival, a downtown staple for decades, canceled for 2020
The 2020 Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The festival, which has been a spring staple in downtown for more than two decades, was originally postponed to September from April 16-19.
The board of directors of Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, which produces the event, was forced to cancel because of the increasing surge in coronavirus cases in Tarrant County and “governmental recommendations for restricting large gatherings.”
“The safety and well-being of our festivalgoers, artists, entertainers, vendors, volunteers and sponsors remain our top priority, and we appreciate everyone’s continued support during these uncertain times,” Chairwoman of the Festivals and Events committee Nina Petty said in a release.
Festival producer Jay Downie lamented the tough times for artists across the country.
“We encourage everyone to visit our online artist gallery, browse through this year’s incredible lineup, and continue to support your favorite Main St. artists who have been severely impacted by this year’s nationwide festival cancellations,” Downie said.
Arlington Independence Day Parade canceled for 1st time, due to coronavirus concerns
The Arlington Independence Day Parade has been canceled as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Tarrant County.
The parade, which was set to take place on July 4 and pass through downtown Arlington, was to be the 55th year of the longest-running event in Arlington, according to Arlington 4th Of July Association website. In previous years, the parade has attracted about 75,000 spectators.
Parade organizers had worked alongside local health officials on plans to put on an event that would be safe to attend, but the rising cases, hospitalizations and Tarrant County’s new order that requires face coverings at outside gatherings with more than 100 people prompted the association to cancel the event.
Kevin Donovan, Arlington 4th of July Association Board president, said in a press release that it wouldn’t be prudent to invite tens of thousands of people downtown during a pandemic.
“We didn’t want to contribute to the spike in cases in any way,” Donovan said.
Arlington residents can still look forward to fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on July 3 in the Entertainment District, just north of Globe Life Field. Globe Life Field, AT&T Stadium, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will have parking lots open starting at 8 p.m. so families can set up to watch the show.
People are encouraged to remain at or around their vehicles, social distance, wear a mask and sanitize their hands.
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.
As COVID-19 hospitalizations rise in Dallas County, Jenkins urges Abbott heed experts
Dallas County reported more than 400 new coronavirus cases for the fourth time in the past five days and confirmed six more deaths on Thursday.
The county’s 403 new cases pushed its total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 18,538, including 334 deaths.
The six latest deaths were all Dallas residents, including five who had no underlying health conditions. The deaths include a man in his 60s, a man and a woman in their 70s, and two men and a woman in their 80s. One of the men in his 80s was a resident of a long-term care facility.
County health officials have reported more than 31 children and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at 18 separate child care facilities since June 1. Increasing outbreaks are also being reported from multiple large social gatherings since the beginning of June, officials said.
For a 24-hour period ending June 24, 701 patients visited Dallas County emergency rooms with COVID-19 symptoms.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins called on surrounding leaders to follow the county’s lead in requiring businesses to enforce face coverings for all employees and patrons. Tarrant County leaders announced a similar order Thursday that goes into effect at 6 p.m. Friday. Jenkins also urged Gov. Greg Abbott to make the face covering order, if not statewide, at least in the major metro population centers such as DFW, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.
Here’s what swayed Fort Worth and Tarrant County to require COVID-19 masks
Tarrant County joined Texas’ other major urban counties Thursday when it ordered businesses to require that people wear a mask — a measure available to local authorities for at least a week that epidemiologists say dramatically reduces the spread of coronavirus.
The slower move on masks follows a trend seen during the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak when Tarrant County was one of the last heavily populated counties to enact a stay-at-home order, an tactic one city councilwoman blamed for the region’s high case rate.
Fort Worth’s elected leaders for more than a week preached personal responsibility, saying they did not want to require masks as Bexar, Dallas, Travis, Harris and other heavily urban centers told businesses that employees and customers must wear masks.
When it became clear people would not take it upon themselves to wear protective face coverings, and after Tarrant County reported nearly 1,000 new cases in two days, Judge Glen Whitley issued a county order requiring them in businesses and outdoor gatherings larger than 100.
The order begins at 6 p.m. Friday and expires Aug. 3. The mandate signed by Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price includes a $500 fine for those in violation.
Whitley had said repeatedly he didn’t want to require masks because he thought Texans would reject heavy handedness. On Wednesday, when the county reported 460 cases, he said the growing number of patients worried him, but he wasn’t ready to commit to regulation. Rather than look solely at positive tests, Whitley has also considered the number of hospitalizations, which grew by 62% in the last two weeks, he said.
A sign of many cancellations to come? Granbury officials scrap Fourth of July parade
Granbury’s July 4th parade has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision, which was jointly decided by Hood County, the City of Granbury, and the Chamber of Commerce, was announced Thursday to ensure the “safety and welfare of the citizens of Hood County,” a press release said.
“Governor Abbott’s recent proclamation and emergency rules on outdoor gatherings of over 100 people, prompted the difficult joint decision to cancel the parade portion of the festivities,” officials said in a release.
County officials are asking all participants in July 4th activities to follow social distancing and health guidelines provided in the “Open Texas Checklist,” produced by The Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas.
Hood County has confirmed 57 COVID-19 cases, including four deaths and 30 recoveries. The county has 23 active cases and has reported numerous current hospitalizations.
Granbury’s other July 4 weekend activities will continue as scheduled.
Abbott pauses further reopenings, suspends some surgeries as COVID surges in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott paused further reopenings of businesses Thursday and for the second time during the pandemic announced he was suspending elective medical procedures — but only in four of Texas’ largest counties — to respond to all-time highs in new cases and hospitalizations.
Businesses currently permitted to reopen under previous phases, like restaurants, bars and malls, can continue to operate at the designated capacity levels. The announcement is a change of course for Abbott who has previously pushed forward with reopenings, and is a signal of the worsening spread of the virus in Texas.
Under Abbott’s new executive order, hospitals in the counties of Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Travis shall postpone surgeries and procedures that aren’t medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition or to preserve the life of a patient. Procedures that would not deplete hospital capacity needed for COVID-19 patients are exempt.
The executive order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, and Abbott may issue proclamations to add or remove counties from those affected.
“As we experience an increase in both positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we are focused on strategies that slow the spread of this virus while also allowing Texans to continue earning a paycheck to support their families,” Abbott said in a statement. “The last thing we want to do as a state is go backwards and close down businesses. This temporary pause will help our state corral the spread until we can safely enter the next phase of opening our state for business.”
Many North Texans support mask restrictions during coronavirus, new poll shows
As coronavirus cases continue to rise, a new poll shows that more than six of 10 North Texans believe wearing face masks — and social distancing — should be required until a vaccine is developed and widely available.
This comes as Texas is in the national spotlight, continually reporting single-day highs of COVID-19 cases and all-time highs of patients hospitalized because of the virus.
“COVID-19 is now spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas and it must be corralled,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said this week.
The poll, commissioned by Texas 2036, a nonprofit group working to develop strategies to help Texas through the state’s bicentennial, surveyed 1,000 adults in 13 North Texas counties — including Tarrant County — between May 27 and June 9.
Through the poll, residents indicated support for mask requirements and social distancing and said COVID-19 has significantly affected employment in North Texas.
“The biggest takeaway is how do we break the partisan divisiveness and find common solutions,” Tom Luce, founder and chairman of Texas 2036, said in a statement. “This poll demonstrates that there are some common messages that cut across (society), whether you’ve got health concerns or economic concerns.”
Texans will go to polls in July amid coronavirus. Here’s how to stay safe
Voting begins Monday for the July 14 Texas primary runoff election, which also includes a city of Fort Worth election on the crime district sales tax.
Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs is calling on voters to cast their ballots early.
“Despite COVID-19, the drumbeat of our democracy has marched on,” she said in a statement Wednesday morning. “I strongly encourage all eligible Texans to set aside time now so they can be prepared to cast a ballot during the early voting period or on Election Day.
“It is essential to our democracy that Texans are able to safely and confidently cast their vote.”
Early voting for the election runs from June 29-July 10, but polls will be closed July 3 and July 4 because of the Independence Day holiday.