Coronavirus live updates July 17: Here’s what to know in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
Texas reports a record 129 new COVID-19 deaths
Texas recorded a single-day high of 129 new coronavirus deaths on Thursday, along with 10,291 new cases.
It was the second day in a row the state recorded a new single-day high for deaths. It reported 110 deaths on Wednesday, the previous high. New COVID-19 cases dropped slightly from the record 10,791 new cases reported Wednesday.
The state has reported more than 290,000 cases and 3,500 deaths, according to state data. It’s estimated that more than 150,000 people have recovered. The state’s seven-day positivity rate for testing is at 16.81%.
A total of 10,457 hospitalizations were reported Thursday, a drop of 14 cases from the day before, according to state data. COVID-19 patients occupy about 18% of all beds, and 10,759 beds are available. The state has 5,080 ventilators available.
About a month ago, there were 2,153 hospitalizations in Texas. Experts have attributed the surge in hospitalizations in part to gatherings and holiday weekends.
Gov. Greg Abbott told KRIV-TV in Houston that if hospitalizations and the number of people testing positive level off, “that means we have begun the process of containing the spread of COVID-19.”
“We are certainly not out of the woods yet, but this could be a glimmer of hope coming if people will continue the practice of wearing face masks wherever possible. The only way we can avoid a shutdown is if we do get everyone buying into this process of wearing face masks,” Abbott said.
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 Count reaches 500 novel coronavirus deaths
With 16 novel coronavirus deaths reported on Thursday, Dallas County reached just more than 500 people whose deaths have been caused by the pandemic.
The Dallas County Health and Human Services department also reported 1,027 new virus cases. Thursday was the 14th consecutive day that the county has reported at least 1,000 new cases.
The deaths reported on Thursday were of a man in his 30s, two men in their 40s, a man in his 50s, four men in their 60s, five people in their 70s, a woman in her 80s and two women in their 90s.
In total, there have been 37,996 COVID-19 cases in Dallas County, including 501 deaths, DCHHS said.
The county has a near-record high number of people hospitalized for coronavirus treatment, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins wrote in a statement.
“I know this summer looks different than what we all imagined months ago and there’s uncertainty as to what our community and daily life will look like going forward,” he wrote. “Please know that we are working hard and following the advice of the medical and public health experts so that we can keep our economy moving and keep as many people as healthy as possible.”
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.
White House document: DFW, Texas should close gyms amid COVID
A document prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force shows both Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area are in the “red zone” and recommends additional restrictions to curb the surge in coronavirus cases, according to a Center for Public Integrity report.
States, counties and metro areas fall into the “red zone” if during the last week they reported new cases above 100 per 100,000 residents or a positivity rate of over 10%, according to the previously unpublicized July 14 document, obtained and first reported on by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit newsroom based in Washington, D.C.
The document lists Texas, and 18 other states across the South, Midwest and West coast as falling into the “red zone” for at least one of the categories. Texas meets both criteria, as do 123 counties, including Tarrant, Dallas, Harris Bexar, Travis and El Paso.
“Texas had 206 new cases per 100,000 population in the past week, compared to a national average of 119 per 100,000,” read the document, which looked at county case data through July 10.
The document featured a list of recommendations, including some measures Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to take, like reducing indoor dining capacity to 25%. The document also recommended officials in red zones close gyms, and that residents stick to take-out or eat outdoors at a distance and reduce public interactions to 25% compared to normal. Abbott reduced restaurant capacity to 50% nearly three weeks ago, in addition to shutting down bars and closing rafting and tubing businesses.
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.
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
