Coronavirus live updates July 1: 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 area hospitals will need to add beds soon if COVID cases don’t slow, expert warns
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations reached an all-time high Monday in Tarrant County, with at least 474 patients occupying hospital beds.
Tarrant County officials have stressed that hospital capacity is sufficient, with 1,791 beds and 425 ventilators still available Tuesday. And Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said that Tarrant County hospitals could add another 2,300 beds if necessary.
But if new cases of the coronavirus continue to grow at its current pace, Tarrant County hospitals could reach their base capacity in about three weeks, said Rajesh Nandy, an associate professor of biostatistics and epidemiology in the UNT Health Science Center’s School of Public Health. He has been studying Tarrant County’s data on hospitalizations, cases and mobility over the course of the pandemic.
Tarrant County reported a single-day high of 605 new cases on Tuesday. With Gov. Greg Abbott’s shutdown of bars and Tarrant County’s mask mandate, Nandy said he is hopeful the growth in cases will be slowed, but it is likely to take at least a week before changes will be seen.
As of Tuesday, about 75% of the county’s intensive care unit beds were occupied — the highest percentage since May 30 — Nandy said. And roughly 68% of the county’s total beds are in use. Both figures are not limited to COVID-19 patients.
Since Memorial Day, hospitalizations of patients with the novel coronavirus have been on the rise across Texas, and reached a new high of 6,533 patients Tuesday.
Tarrant County reports record 605 COVID cases, 3 deaths, hospitalizations hit new high
Tarrant County reported a single-day high 605 new coronavirus cases and three more deaths on Tuesday.
The latest deaths were Arlington residents, including two women in their 50s and a man in his 70s. Each had underlying health conditions, according to officials.
Tarrant County has confirmed a total of 12,344 COVID-19 cases, including 228 deaths and at least 5,220 recoveries.
The previous daily record was 521 cases a week ago.
County data for lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases shows 474 patients were hospitalized, including 111 in ICU, as of Monday. That’s an all-time high during the pandemic. The previous high was 405 on Friday, when there were 112 COVID-19 patients in ICU.
The seven-day moving average for coronavirus hospitalizations was 380 on Monday. It has increased every day since it was 177 on June 7.
Confirmed COVID-19 patients were using 8% of the total hospital beds (and 12% of the occupied beds) in the county as of Monday, while 68% of total beds and 31% of ventilators were occupied.
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.
Dallas County reports record COVID cases, 20 deaths. Judge calls for statewide masks.
Dallas County reported a single-day high 601 new coronavirus cases and a record 20 deaths on Tuesday.
The latest deaths included two residents in their 30s, three in their 40s, two in their 50s, three in their 60s, five in their 70s, three in their 80s, and two in their 90s.
Of the deaths, 14 were residents of Dallas, two were residents of Garland, and one each was from Balch Springs, Irving, Richardson, and Seagoville. Four of the 20 did not have underlying health conditions and three were residents of long-term care facilities. The previous high for reported COVID-19 deaths in Dallas County was 16.
Dallas County has confirmed a total of 21,338 COVID-19 cases, including 373 deaths.
Officials reported hospitalizations for COVID-19 in the county were at 619 on Monday, an all-time high during the pandemic. There were 296 COVID-19 hospitalizations a month ago.
“The time for decisive actions was several weeks ago, but we must move immediately to a statewide masking order,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said. “Goldman Sachs estimates that a national masking order would save the economy a trillion dollars. When you divide that by the population of Texas, we can save $87 billion to our economy, and countless lives by all wearing a mask.”
Fort Worth required masks. Now the city is helping give them away
Fort Worth businesses needing free masks for employees or customers may be in luck.
Masks will be distributed at eight locations across the city Wednesday morning for two hours or while supplies last.
A coalition of business organizations, including the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and Fort Worth Now, the mayor’s economic recovery task force, have pooled resources to collect masks. Last week, Fort Worth Now director Jarratt Watkins said an order had been placed for at least 240,000 masks. Federal stimulus dollars were used to purchase the masks.
Last week Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price issued orders requiring businesses ensure employees and customers wear masks while inside. Under the order, businesses must build a plan for how they will require customers and staff to mask up. In Fort Worth it is enforceable through a $500 fine to the business.
Fort Worth businesses are eligible for up to 250 masks each, in increments of 50, by presenting a business card, according to a statement from the city. Owners will be expected to provide their name, email address, and company name. More distribution days are planned.
The masks will be distributed from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at:
▪ Business Assistance Center, 1150 South Freeway
▪ Golden Triangle Library, 4264 Golden Triangle Boulevard
▪ East Regional Branch Library, 6301 Bridge Street
▪ Diamond Hill Jarvis Library, 1300 N,E, 35th Street
▪ Ridglea Library, 3628 Bernie Anderson Ave.
▪ Seminary South Branch Library, 501 E. Bolt Street
▪ Southwest Regional Library, 4001 Library Ln
▪ Scott Plaza, 2401 Scott Ave.
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.
Dallas County judge calls for shutdown of youth sports as COVID-19 numbers worsen
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins took to Twitter on Tuesday and called on Gov. Greg Abbott to make masks a state requirement, reduce indoor crowds and shut down a number of venues/activities, including group youth sports as COVID-19 cases continue to worsen.
Dallas County reported a single-day high 601 new coronavirus cases and a record 20 deaths Tuesday, increasing its total to 21,338 cases and 373 deaths.
Tuesday marked the fifth consecutive day the county reported a record for new COVID-19 cases.
Dallas and Tarrant counties have forced businesses to require masks to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Other closures that Jenkins’ group of doctors recommended included bowling alleys, arcades, concerts, movie theaters, gyms, public pools and day camps.
Texas hits record highs in new coronavirus cases
Texas reported all-time highs of new cases and patients hospitalized with the novel coronavirus Tuesday, with both records surpassing 6,000 for the first time.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 6,975 new COVID-19 cases were reported Tuesday — a single-day high for Texas. It’s 979 more cases than the previous record of 5,996 cases last Thursday.
DSHS also reported an all-time high of 6,533 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized — a jump of 620 cases from Monday’s record of 5,913.
Tuesday’s record totals included single-day highs in Tarrant County, which reported 605 new cases and three deaths, and Dallas County, which reported 601 new cases and 20 deaths.
Texas has averaged 5,659 cases a day the past week, up 1,778 cases a day from the previous seven days.
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.
Arlington schools plan to offer students choice of in-person or online learning in fall
Parents of Arlington school district students encouraging people to watch from home. to enroll their children for in-person or online education this fall, according to a letter from Superintendent Marcel Cavazos.
Students can enroll for either option starting July 7.
Students are expected to return to learning Aug. 17. Plans for in-person classes could change based on how the coronavirus pandemic impacts Texas and the district, according to the letter.
Parents will be asked to select one of the two options when registering their child but will be able to change their preference at any time during the school year, Cavazos wrote.
“We want you to have the flexibility to do what you think is best for your student to get the best and safest education possible,” he wrote in the letter.
The district did not immediately provide details on what in-person classes would look like in terms of social distancing, masking policies and space availability.
Crowds are discouraged for Fort Worth’s Fourth. How the city hopes you watch the show
Large gatherings are discouraged and businesses must require masks as the number of coronavirus cases climb in Fort Worth, but the city’s massive fireworks display will go on with officials encouraging people to watch from home.
The reason is simple: It’s a Fourth of July tradition and Fort Worth’s Fourth is the largest fireworks show in North Texas.
Several steps have been taken to limit where people can gather, but folks may still be tempted to come to the downtown area along the Trinity River. Panther Island Pavilion will be closed and several blocks north of downtown will have limited access.
Mask decrees Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price issued last week require those outside in groups of 100 or more to wear a mask. They also require businesses to ensure both employees and customers wear masks inside. The mandate is enforceable through a $500 fine for businesses found in violation.
Enforcing the mask rules will be tricky on the Fourth of July, said Brandon Bennett, the city’s health officer.
“People know to wear masks, know to stay away from large public gatherings,” Bennett said in an email. “We hope that this will minimize this behavior but also recognize that if it occurs on July Fourth there will not be a lot of direct city intervention.”
Abbott extends ban on some surgeries to four South Texas counties
A day after Texas reported an all-time high of patients hospitalized with the novel coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott will have the option in the Rio Grande Valley.
To ensure sufficient hospital capacity for to treat COVID-19 patients, Abbott issued a proclamation requiring hospitals in the counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces and Webb to 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.
Eight counties are now subject to the ban across Texas. Last Thursday, Abbott had suspended elective medical procedures in the counties of Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Travis. Abbott may issue additional proclamations to add or remove counties.