Coronavirus live updates Aug. 31: 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.
Texas high school football kicked off in the COVID-19 era. Here’s what a game was like.
Thirty minutes before kickoff at Alvarado High School, a man’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker to share the formalities that get said before every game. He reminded fans the football would be played by UIL rules and to be friendly to the visitors, from Graham High School (Graham wasn’t so friendly, at least in terms of the final score. Ryan Grimsley returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and the team never relented, winning 50-14). Then he paused. Here came the unusual part: “All spectators are required to maintain six feet in distance between groups and wear a face covering at all times.”
It was an acknowledgment of the obvious. This was Texas high school football, a cherished tradition since the early 20th century, played during an exceptional time. When Alvarado and Graham met Friday night, along with hundreds of other schools in the 4A classifications and lower, they did so in an environment unlike anything Texas high school football fans have ever experienced.
Almost every part of the stadium featured a reminder of The Way We Live Now. Alvarado drill-teamers wore matching plastic face-guards you’d normally see in a dentist’s office. The entrance on the home side featured a sign detailing COVID-19 symptoms. It was next to another sign telling people to mask up to “Let ‘em play all season.”
Being outside, even on a 100-degree day, set many fans’ concerns at ease. Dale Betty, who was wearing a purple Alvarado High School t-shirt, noted that it felt good to be in the open air. He was there to see his grandson, Alvarado’s Will Labermeier. Betty, who played high school football growing up in Canyon, has experienced the sport for decades. He thought Friday night felt “restricted” but safe.
“I’m just glad we’re here,” he said.
How this Mansfield doctor helped a free health care clinic serve patients amid COVID
Dr. Darin Charles has his own primary care practice but he dedicates a lot of his energy to serving patients for free.
Charles, who owns Hometown Health, has been a leader and a volunteer with Mansfield Mission’s Linda Nix free clinic for about a year.
He has helped the clinic set up telemedicine for the coronavirus pandemic and grow its volunteer base, Executive Director Carmin MacMillan said.
That introduction of telemedicine to the clinic has been vital to the doctors and patients, MacMillan said, with many patients being uncomfortable with the idea of leaving their home to see the doctor.
His work with the clinic to help low-income and uninsured patients amid the pandemic makes Charles a true Hometown Hero, said MacMillan, who nominated Charles for recognition in the Star-Telegram series.
Hometown Heroes is sponsored by Lockheed Martin, which is providing $1,000 each to the 28 people selected by the Star-Telegram to be featured in the weekly series.
Tarrant County reports 2 deaths, 214 coronavirus cases on Sunday
Tarrant County reported 214 additional cases of coronavirus on Sunday and two deaths.
Those who died from COVID-19 were a Euless man in his 70s and an Arlington man in his 60s. Both had underlying health conditions, according to the Tarrant County Public Health Department.
The county’s seven-day average of cases dropped Sunday from 245 cases per day to 239; the 14-day average dropped from 300 per day to 266 per day. Sunday’s numbers bring Tarrant County to a total of 41,486 coronavirus cases and 552 deaths.
The county reported another 819 new estimated recoveries, bringing the total number of recovered COVID-19 patients to 35,794. As of Sunday, there were an estimated 5,140 active cases in the county.
Dallas County adds 360 coronavirus cases on Sunday, 241 from Texas backlog
Dallas County reported 360 additional cases of coronavirus on Sunday, 241 of which were reported due to a backlog in the state’s health department reporting system.
Officials reported the death of a Dallas woman in her 70s on Sunday, bringing the county’s total COVID-19 deaths to 901. The county has had 71,170 total cases, the Dallas County health department reported.
Health officials broke down the backlogged cases by month: 5 were from March, 88 were from April, 64 were from May, 72 were from June, 4 were from July and 8 were from earlier in August.
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.
Texas high school football and social distancing? Some fans did better than others
The Texas high school football season kicked off Friday night amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Class 4A schools and smaller got the ball rolling all around the state with some stadiums social distancing better than others.
The Lampasas Badgers hosted Brownwood Friday night and from the looks of several images and videos posted on social media, Badgers fans like to stick close together. (Livescience.com says Badgers are “social creatures and live in groups,” so maybe that runs deep, even with mascot names.
However, according to the UIL guidelines for dealing with COVID-19 during the pandemic, schools are required to limit capacity to 50% for all games and only “provided that appropriate spacing between spectators is maintained according to the protocol.”
The UIL guidelines specifically call for groups (a maximum of 10 people) to maintain at least six feet of distance from other groups at all times, “including the process of admission and seating.”
This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 5:30 AM.