Coronavirus live updates Sept. 16: 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 district to move forward with in-person learning on Oct. 5, school board votes
In a split decision Tuesday night, the Fort Worth school board voted to move forward with the district’s plan to begin optional in-person learning on Oct. 5.
The school district had initially planned to start in-person learning on Oct. 5, but the FWISD board called a special session on Tuesday to discuss whether that date should be pushed back by four weeks.
The board trustees made the decision to not push back that start date after a seven-hour meeting in which they heard from Tarrant County Health Director Vinny Taneja, Superintendent Kent Scribner, district administrators and members of the public. The 5-4 vote was finally called at 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Five trustees voted “no” to continue online-only learning and four voted “yes.” As they voted, some trustees talked about how difficult the decision was.
Keller ISD high school switching to remote learning after COVID-19 case, exposure
For the next two weeks, students and faculty at Fossil Ridge High School are being asked to teach and learn in a remote setting due to a person who tested positive for COVID-19.
All employees and students have been asked to transition to remote learning beginning Wednesday, according to an announcement posted on the Fossil Ridge High School website.
A high number of employees are already at home because of the positive COVID-19 contact, the post said.
The district said it expects that all students will be taking classes remotely by Sept. 21 in order to provide time to ensure that students are properly equipped with devices to participate in remote instruction, the post said.
Tarrant County warns of possible COVID-19 spike
While COVID-19 data in Tarrant County has declined since late July, health officials say the numbers have now flat-lined and another spike could come.
Vinny Taneja, the county’s public health director, told the Tarrant County Commissioners Court on Tuesday that the county’s positivity rate had been declining until September, but it is now bouncing between 9 and 10% while the state’s positivity rate has continued to fall and now sits at around 6%.
“We’re not declining and that’s concerning,” Taneja said. “Something’s brewing.”
Taneja said his belief is supported by hospitalizations and COVID-like illness data.
According to county data, the seven-day moving average of hospitalizations for confirmed COVID-19 patients has flat-lined at about 220. COVID-like illness data, which shows the percent of emergency room visits in which patients reported COVID-like symptoms, has flat-lined at about 1.5% per day for the last three weeks.
Arlington offers free drive-thru COVID-19 tests
Setting up an appointment in advance is no longer required for the City of Arlington’s free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing, which is now available four days a week for Tarrant County residents, according to a city news release.
The Arlington testing location is in the parking lot of the East Arlington Branch Library at Park Plaza, 1624 New York Ave. Upcoming testing times are between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 through Saturday, Sept. 19, and between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 through Saturday, Sept. 26. Please arrive an hour before the end of the testing hours to allow time for your visit.
Once residents arrive at the testing site, they will receive instructions on how to register using their own mobile device from inside their vehicle. A person will be on site to assist those who do not have a personal mobile device for registration. Residents do not need to go inside the East Branch Library to register.
These tests are intended for Tarrant County residents ages 18 and up who are exhibiting symptoms of the respiratory disease. Residents must show proof of residency to be tested. The time to receive test results will vary based on the demand for testing.
More information on how to receive a free test and the criteria is on Arlington’s website.
Tarrant County surpasses 45,000 COVID cases, reports 3 more deaths
Tarrant County reported 436 coronavirus cases and three deaths on Tuesday.
The latest COVID-19 deaths include a Mansfield woman in her 60s, a Haltom City man in his 60s and a Fort Worth man in his 60s. They each had underlying health conditions, according to officials.
The county has corrected a previously reported COVID-19 death. A woman was a resident of Forest Hill, not Fort Worth.
Tuesday’s case total is the most since 460 on Sept. 9.
Tarrant County has reported a total of 45,163 COVID-19 cases, including 608 deaths and an estimated 39,606 recoveries.
Dallas County reported 190 cases and three deaths on Tuesday. Of Tuesday’s cases, 68 were unreported cases from earlier in the pandemic.
MLB to decide if World Series has fans. Texas Rangers, Arlington to benefit either way
The worst-kept secret in baseball is no longer a secret.
The World Series is coming to Globe Life Field, with two rounds of National League playoffs serving as opening acts.
Yet to be determined is if fans will be allowed to attend the games in Arlington, a decision that will ultimately be made by Major League Baseball after consulting its health experts and in accordance with local guidelines.
How many Dallas Cowboys fans will be allowed in AT&T Stadium? We’ll find out Sunday.
So how many fans will be allowed in AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys’ home opener Sunday?
Good question.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says the team won’t know until game day with pandemic guidelines in place that will require fans to remain in specific areas of the stadium and wear face coverings when they’re moving around.
Single-game tickets went on sale at noon Monday. The Cowboys (0-1) host the Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at noon Sunday.
“We’re going to have some fun attendance and we’re going to have, hopefully, we’re going to have a great game,” Jones said on KRLD/105.3 FM “The Fan” Tuesday morning. “I’m excited about Sunday. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
UTA men’s basketball pauses activities after players test positive for COVID-19
The UT Arlington men’s basketball team has paused team activities after multiple players tested positive for COVID-19.
UTA confirmed that the program had three players test positive on Tuesday afternoon. Those players will be in isolation for a minimum of 10 days. The players were not identified.
“All team activities have been paused, pending additional testing,” UTA spokesperson Jason MacBain said in an email to the Star-Telegram. “A decision regarding the resumption of team workouts will be made at some point next week.”
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.
