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.

As COVID disproportionately hits Hispanics, community leaders say online learning best

Before the pandemic, Fort Worth resident Roxanne Martinez would wake up early, get her two children ready for the school day and drop them off before heading to work. She worked late, so she relied on her mom to pick the kids up and watch them until she got off in the evening.

But now, because COVID-19 has higher fatality rates for those in vulnerable populations — those with preexisting conditions or who are older than 65 — Martinez said she’d hesitate to risk spreading the virus to her mother. The coronavirus pandemic has halted any sense of normalcy for parents, kids and families returning to school. And Fort Worth ISD kicked off the new school year last week the same way it ended last year: online.

The district previously announced tentative plans to resume in-person classes Oct. 5, but the board of trustees will meet on Tuesday to discuss whether it will remain online longer. The agenda for the 5:30 p.m. meeting says the board will discuss whether to extend the back-to-school transition process by an additional four weeks.

Under Texas Education Agency guidelines, schools can remain online only for a maximum of eight weeks before they must offer in-person classes as well or risk defunding.

Martinez said for the Hispanic community — especially those in Diamond Hill, a northern neighborhood in Fort Worth — staying online makes the most sense. She said Hispanic grandparents typically have a large role in helping to raise their grandchildren and can even live in the same household.

According to Tarrant County data, the Diamond Hill area is one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods in the county. The 76106 ZIP code has had 1,687 coronavirus cases as of Monday, the second-most in the county. It also had has 29 deaths, the second-most in the county as well.

Tarrant County reports no COVID-19 deaths for first time in 2 weeks, 273 new cases

Tarrant County reported 273 coronavirus cases and no deaths on Monday.

It’s the first time the county hasn’t reported a COVID-19 death since Aug. 31. The county did not report data Sept. 6-7 because of the Labor Day holiday.

Tarrant County has reported a total of 44,727 COVID-19 cases, including 605 deaths and an estimated 39,395 recoveries.

Dallas County reported 440 coronavirus cases and three deaths, bringing the totals to 75,648 confirmed cases and 976 deaths. The county does not report recoveries.

Fort Worth and Tarrant County offer free COVID-19 tests

The City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County continue to offer no-cost COVID-19 saliva testing, according to a news release.

Tests will be available at these locations this week:

• Tuesday, Sept. 15, 8 -11 a.m. FWISD Scarborough-Handley Field parking lot, 6201 Craig St. (Council District 5).
• Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2-5 p.m. Como Community Center, 4660 Horne St. (Council District 3).
• Wednesday, Sept. 16, 8-11 a.m. City Northside Service Center, 309 Hillshire Drive. (Council District 7).
• Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2-5 p.m. Tarrant County College-Northwest Campus, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway. (Council District 2).
• Thursday, Sept. 17, 8-11 a.m. La Gran Plaza, 4200 South Freeway. (Council District 9).
• Thursday, Sept. 17, 2-5 p.m. Beth Eden Missionary Baptist Church, 3208 Wilbarger St. (Council District 8).
• Friday, Sept. 18, 8-11 a.m. Christ Church Assembly of God, 5301 Altamesa Blvd. (Council District 6).
• Friday, Sept. 18, 2-5 p.m. Hillwood Commons I, 9800 Hillwood Parkway. (Council District 4).

Appointments at all sites are available by online appointment. Residents who do not have access to a computer may call 817-248-6299 to schedule an appointment.

In addition, city staff and emergency response volunteers will staff three COVID-19 testing sites:

• Dickies Arena’s Chevrolet Parking Garage, 3464 Trail Drive 8 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• J.P. Elder Middle School, 709 N.W. 21st St. 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Tarrant County College-South Campus, 5301 Campus Drive. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

City staff from Police, Fire and Code Compliance departments, along with certified city volunteers for emergency response, are staffing the sites and guiding patients through the self-administered saliva sample collection process. Tests are offered at no cost to the public; however, insurance information is collected, where possible.