5-year-old boy among Dallas County coronavirus deaths reported Friday, 659 new cases
Dallas County reported 659 new coronavirus cases and nine deaths on Friday, including the first pandemic-related death of a pre-teen in the county.
There have been a total of 44,746 COVID-19 confirmed cases, including 586 deaths, in Dallas County.
Among the latest pandemic-related deaths was a 5-year-old boy in Dallas who had been critically ill at an area hospital and had underlying health issues. Seven of the nine deaths were in Dallas and one each were in Grand Prairie and Irving.
Three of the nine deaths did not have underlying health issues, including Dallas men in their 70s and 80s and a Dallas woman in her 80s who was a resident of a long-term care facility. Others included a Grand Prairie man in his 40s, and Irving man in his 50s, and a Dallas man in his 50s who was found dead at home. Dallas women in their 60s and 70s both died after being critically ill at area hospitals.
The death of the 5-year-old is the first COVID-related death of a pre-teen in Dallas County.
“We have seen a sharp uptick in children getting COVID-19,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a news release and on social media.
More than 1,450 children under 18 have contracted the coronavirus in Dallas County since July 1, including 29 patients who have been hospitalized. Almost 100 children and staff at 65 daycare facilities in the county have contracted COVID-19 since June 1, including three staff members who have been hospitalized.
Of the total coronavirus hospitalizations in Dallas County, about 70% have been 65 or younger.
“Parents, it’s imperative that children, like everyone else, follow the guidelines to stay safe,” Jenkins said.
New cases in Dallas County were less than 1,000 for the fourth consecutive day after exceeding 1,000 cases the previous 18 days in July.
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.
