For the latest on the pandemic in North Texas, visit KERA News' COVID-19 Live Updates page.
Saturday, March 6
Dallas County Reports 25 Deaths, 372 New Cases
The 25 additional deaths due to COVID-19 give Dallas County a cumulative total of 3,122. The deaths reported Saturday include people who ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s.
Tarrant County Reports 325 New Cases
The county has now seen a total of 244,957 COVID-19 cases. County health officials report 230,361 people have now recovered from COVID-19.
Denton County Reports 316 New Cases
Of the new COVID-19 cases reported Saturday, 311 are active. The county has now seen a total of 67,158 cases. Denton County also reported 451 newly recovered cases, bringing the countywide recovery total to 55,129.
42 New Cases In Collin County
The Texas Department of State Health Services website added 42 new COVID-19 cases in Collin County Saturday. The department also reports a total of 3,631 new cases statewide.
More Than 6 Million Vaccine Doses Administered Across Texas
Across the state, COVID-19 vaccine providers have now administered 6,292,327 doses, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. More than 2 million Texans are now fully vaccinated against the disease. More than 4 million have received at least one dose.
Friday, March 5
Dallas County Reports 26 Deaths, 458 New Cases
The 26 deaths give Dallas County a cumulative total of 3,097. The deaths reported Friday include people who ranged in age from their 30s to their 100s, and all but two people had underlying high-risk health conditions.
Tarrant County Reports 37 Deaths, 401 New Cases
Of the 37 deaths reported by Tarrant County on Friday, one death was from December, 10 from January and 26 in February. The county reconciles its records with the state every Friday, meaning death counts are higher that day than during the rest of the week.
Denton County Reports Four Deaths, 449 New Cases
The deaths included four people who were all in their 80s, two of whom were residents of long-term care facilities. Denton County also reported 624 newly recovered cases, bringing the countywide recovery total to 54,678.
State Health Officials Working On Getting Vaccines to Teachers
Texas teachers and child care workers are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. But statewide providers are still working to vaccinate other eligible individuals.
Imelda Garcia is associate commissioner for the Texas Department of State Health Services. She said schools could get shots to teachers by connecting with nearby vaccine providers.
“They can reach out to that vaccinator and start talking to them about partnering to bring vaccine on site to their campus as well," Garcia said.
Garcia also said schools can sign up to become providers themselves.
“So, some school districts have already signed up as a vaccine provider and we will be allocating to them," she said.
State health officials said they also plan to work with the Texas Education Agency to distribute vaccines.
State Health Officials Say Vaccine Distribution Is Slowing Down
State health officials say the federal government is slowing down COVID-19 vaccine distribution by undercounting how many doses Texas should receive each week.
Texas has one of the lowest per capita vaccination rates in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Imelda Garcia with the Texas Department of State Health Services says that's because the CDC is using older population data to calculate the state's weekly allotment.
"So we have shared that information. They have heard us. We have yet to actually see them make the change from using 2018 to 2019 Census data,” she said.
Texas is slated to get more than 1 million COVID-19 first doses next week. So far, 8.9 million doses have been allocated.
Public Transit Systems In North Texas Will Continue Requiring Masks
Public transit systems in North Texas say they’re still following federal guidelines when it comes to wearing masks, despite the statewide mask mandate that ends Wednesday.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Trinity Metro in Tarrant County and the Denton County Transportation Authority will still require drivers and passengers to wear masks at all times.
All three transit agencies say masks will also be required in agency buildings and when waiting at bus stops and train stations.
DART and DCTA said they will provide masks to those who don’t bring their own and without one, passengers will not be allowed to board.
DART says refusing to wear masks onboard its vehicles is a federal violation and could result in penalties. The agency is also encouraging riders to report people who aren't complying with masking rules on the free “DART Say Something” app.
Thursday, March 4
Potter’s House Church In Dallas To Open New Vaccination Site
The Potter's House church in southern Dallas is opening as a new COVID-19 vaccination site. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson spoke this morning outside the church.
“We need to continue working to ensure that our underserved communities receive equitable access to this vaccine,” he said. “But I hope this hub will send a strong signal that this vaccine is for everyone.”
City officials say they plan to administer 1,000 shots a day in the church parking lot. Vaccinations will be by appointment only.
Registration is available online at dallascounty.org or by calling 855-466-8639.
Denton Reports 574 New Cases
Another 574 cases in the area raises the total to 66,394. Of the cases reported today, 538 are active. There have been 510 newly-recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 54,055.
506 Additional Cases In Tarrant County
There are 506 more cases, increasing the total to 244,231. According to the county dashboard, 104 of the cases reported today are due to a reporting backlog from the Department of State Health Services.
There have been 2,930 deaths and 228,139 people who have recovered from the virus.
Collin County Reports 25 New Cases
An additional 25 cases raises the total to 70,184. There have been 740 total deaths reported in the area.
Fort Worth ISD Offering COVID Vaccine To All Employees Through Texas Health Resources
Fort Worth Superintendent Kent P. Scribner announced Thursday afternoon that the District is partnering with Texas Health Resources to provide COVID-19 vaccines to all Fort Worth ISD employees, including part-time and substitute workers.
Employees who have not gotten the vaccine are invited to sign up through Fort Worth ISD. Then, Texas Health Resources will be in touch with them to schedule a vaccine appointment.
“You have all continued to serve our children and our community since this crisis began,” Scribner said in a message to the District. “And, we are grateful that we’ve been able to partner with Texas Health Resources to offer this opportunity.”
Vaccine Registration Center To Open In Southeast Dallas
Dallas City Council Member Jaime Resendez will host a vaccine registration event in Pleasant Grove on Saturday. He said the event is in response to the high number of COVID cases in Southeast Dallas.
Registrations will take place on March 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the A+ Academy School auditorium: 445 S. Masters Drive.
“Many people in Southeast Dallas are considered essential workers who are unable to work from home, suffer from high comorbidity and poverty rates, live in multi-generational households, and lack access to adequate healthcare,” Resendez said.
He said the 75217 and 75227 zip codes represent some of the hardest-hit areas where there’s a lack of access to technology.
“Our community also has a large percentage of households that lack internet access and many individuals who, for various reasons, feel more comfortable receiving in-person assistance to navigate the vaccine registration process.”
An indoor waiting area with seating will be available at the auditorium. No appointment is necessary for the event. Facial coverings and social distancing protocols will be strictly enforced.
Dallas Radio Stations To Host COVID-19 Town Hall, Discussing Importance Of Vaccinations For Black And Brown Communities
Urban One Dallas radio stations KBFB-FM and KZMJ-FM will host a town hall on Sunday about the importance of the vaccine rollout for people of color.
The broadcast will be shared on KBFM-FM’s Facebook page and streamed on KZMJ-FM. Community affairs director and on-air personality “Radio-Chica” Maxie will moderate the panel of local leaders.
The panel will include Congressman Marc Veasey, who represents the 33rd Congressional district, Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew, vice president of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas and Dr. Carolee Estelle, interim medical director for Infectious Diseases at Parkland Health and Hospital Systems.
Congressman Veasey will talk about the government’s plan to help people impacted by the pandemic. He’ll discuss healthcare, job loss, unemployment and the pending stimulus package.
Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew will share her experience of being vaccinated and the importance of people of color getting vaccinated, despite hesitancy from Black and brown communities. Dr. Estelle will explain the efficacy of available vaccines and how they impact the body.
Cook Children’s Medical Center To Allow More Visitors
The center will allow two caregivers per patient starting Monday. Previously, only one caregiver was allowed to visit each patient.
For primary care appointments and outpatient visits, two family members will be allowed.
Special exceptions to the two-caregiver visitation policy will be made for emergency room visits and other situations like end-of-life.
School, Childcare Workers In Texas Prioritized For Vaccines
State health officials now say that all school and childcare workers in Texas are on the priority list to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Clay Robison is with the Texas State Teachers Association:
“All pharmacy providers who are enrolled in that federal program, if they have currently unbooked vaccination slots, to reserve them for the exclusive use of teachers, school staff and childcare workers through March 31.”
Denton ISD teacher Erica Cole said she’s excited.
“We definitely need it. We come into contact – if you are a secondary teacher – with upwards of 100 to 250 students daily,” she said. “I teach middle school, children are constantly having their masks down, touching their faces, touching each other, so it’s wonderful to hear.”
Cole said the challenge now is finding a pharmacy with shots to give.
Those eligible include workers in Head Start and Early Head Start, as well as bus drivers and other school staff.
The state says today's news does not change the other groups prioritized for vaccination in Texas — and providers are encouraged to continue vaccinating older adults.
Wednesday, March 3
Texas Teachers & Child Care Workers Now Eligible For Vaccine
Teachers and child care workers in Texas and around the nation will now be prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) today notified all vaccine providers that they should immediately include school and child care workers in vaccine administration.
Last night, DSHS received a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directing states to expand eligibility to include people who work in school and child care operations. The federal directive defined the people eligible as “those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.”
The agency said this action does not change the other groups prioritized for vaccination in Texas. Providers are encouraged to continue their efforts to vaccinate older adults since the burden of COVID-19 falls most severely on people age 65 and older.
25 More Deaths & 718 New Cases In Dallas County
Dallas County is reporting 718 new COVID-19 in Dallas County, 317 of which are confirmed. There's been a cumulative total of 246,627 confirmed cases. A total of 3,044 Dallas County residents died from COVID-19 illness.
The individuals whose deaths were reported today ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s. All had underlying high-risk health conditions.
Denton County Reports 651 New Cases, 1 Deaths
Another 651 cases in the area brings the total to 65,821. Of the cases reported, 574 are active. One death was reported today, a Krum woman in her 50s.
There have been 560 newly-recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 53,546.
658 New Cases In Tarrant County
There are 658 additional cases in the county, increasing the total to 243,725. A total of 2,912 have died from the virus and 226,880 people have recovered in the area.
Dallas County's Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Distribution Begins Friday
Officials will begin administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the FEMA site at Fair Park on Friday.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said the county would start administering Johnson & Johnson vaccines on Wednesday. But the county confirmed on Wednesday that the plan has been pushed back until Friday.
On Twitter, County Judge Clay Jenkins said the bulk of vaccinations will go to the drive-thru site, while 600 doses will be used to immunize homeless individuals and jail inmates.
Tarrant County also begins administering the new vaccine at Globe Life Field in Arlington this week.
The county's public health director says this vaccine works differently than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Vinny Taneja says those use RNA technology, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a viral vector.
"It takes a commonly used adenovirus, a big cause [of] common cold and other illnesses, but it uses an adenovirus that doesn't cause illness within the humans and uses that as a transport mechanism,” he said.
Usually an adenovirus attaches to cells and tells them to make copies of the virus. But the adenovirus in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been modified — instead it tells cells to make a copy of a spike protein that fights off COVID-19.
Dallas County Could Reach Herd Immunity By June
Steve Miff, president of the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation, said herd immunity will be reached when 80% of the population has either been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.
Miff said the county is more than halfway there, sitting at 44% for the county.
"I think we also have a path of what I'll call it an aggressive but realistic path to get there,” he said. “What that means is if we look at what we need to do from a vaccination perspective to get to the mid-June herd immunity, target is we have to vaccinate on average about 65,000 individuals per week."
Miff says the recent approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will help the county reach that weekly goal.
Tuesday, March 2
Dallas County Now Has More Than 3,000 COVID-19 Deaths
The county reported 25 deaths and 526 new positive cases on Tuesday. With the 25 deaths, Dallas County now has a cumulative total of 3,018.
Tuesday's deaths included people who ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s, and all but three people had underlying high-risk health conditions.
Tarrant County Reports 14 Deaths
The deaths include a man from Hurst over 90, a woman from Hurst in her 80s, a man from Fort Worth in his 80s, a man from Lake Worth in his 80s, a man from Bedford in his 80s, a man from Grand Prairie in his 80s, two men and a woman from Fort Worth in their 70s, a man from Saginaw in his 60s, a man from Haltom City in his 60s, a man from Fort Worth in his 60s, a woman from Fort Worth in her 50s, and a man from Fort Worth in his 40s. All had underlying health conditions.
Tarrant County now has 2,897 confirmed death and 225,301 people have recovered.
Denton County Reports 13 Deaths, 475 New Cases
Denton County now has a cumulative total of 420 deaths. Tuesday's deaths included people who ranged in age from their 40s to their 80s. Of the 475 cases the county reported on Tuesday, 441 are active cases.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Arrived In Texas Tuesday
Texas is getting 24,000 doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine just a few days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized it for emergency use. The doses arrived Tuesday and headed to the state's three FEMA mass vaccination sites in Arlington, Dallas, and Houston.
The Department of State Health Services expects to receive more than 200,000 doses next week. This is the third COVID-19 vaccine available in the U.S.
A new stream of COVID-19 vaccines are coming to Texas.
— Texas DSHS (@TexasDSHS) March 1, 2021
Tomorrow, Texas will begin receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Over 200,000 doses will be included in next week's allocation. Allocation details are announced on Fridays.#EveryDoseMatters for a #HealthyTexas pic.twitter.com/wxeKFfBN5y
A Majority Of Texans Think Teachers Should Be Designated As Essential Workers So They Can Get Vaccines
An overwhelming majority of likely voters in Texas think educators should be designated as essential workers making them eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.
That's according to a poll commissioned by the Texas State Teachers Association. The group's president, Ovidia Molina, hopes the results persuade state leaders to act.
"If we want to reopen our schools safely, if we want to protect not just our schools but our communities, we need to have priority vaccines for all educators," Molina said.
The poll surveyed 700 people last month. Currently those eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas include frontline health care workers, long-term care facility residents, people 65 and older, and those with certain medical conditions.
"And I know the governor loves to say that we're essential workers but then does not treat us as essential workers and the public does see public school employees as essential workers that should be feeling the respect of our governor, and TEA, to put us in the front of the vaccine line," Molina said.
Several School Districts Will Continue Mask Mandates In Schools
Despite Gov. Greg Abbott's order lifting the statewide mask mandate, several districts have decided to keep current mask-wearing protocols in place for their districts, citing CDC recommendations and a desire to keep students, teachers, and staff safe.
Dallas ISD will continue to require students, faculty and staff to wear masks. The district doesn't think there will be changes before the end of the school year, but discussions are continuing, DISD News & Information officer Nina Lakhiani told Advocate Magazine.
“We will follow CDC guidelines as these discussions continue internally,” Lakhiani said in the magazine.
Denton ISD will also commit to its current protocols, which include wearing face coverings.
“Our teachers have yet to be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine, and they have been on the frontlines throughout the pandemic — keeping schools open for our students,” Dr. Jamie Wilson, superintendent of schools, said in a statement. “We will look at our protocols based on the announcement, and the safety of our students and staff is paramount.”
Gerald Hudson, superintendent of schools for Cedar Hill ISD, also said the mask requirement will continue in that district.
"The masks have allowed us to return to a semblance of normalcy," he said in a statement. "They have prevented COVID-19 cases and allowed in-classroom learning to begin and thrive.
"I will be grateful for the day when we no longer have to wear masks, but we will not suspend this necessary public health measure until the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other medical leaders deem it safe."
Meanwhile, Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Zeph Capo is concerned that public schools will be adversely affected by the governor's order and throws into question whether schools can require masks.
"Abbott has shirked his responsibility to stick with medical advice and clarify what needs to happen to keep our schools safe," Capo said in a statement. "Every top health official has stressed that even with vaccinations we need to keep using the most simple tools to stop the spread. So what does Abbott do? He rejects the most effective tool we have — masks."
HEB Urges Mask-Wearing Even If It Is No Longer Mandatory
In a statement, San Antonio-based HEB said it believes it's important that masks be worn in public spaces until more Texans have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
HEB will still require all its partners and vendors to wear masks while at work, and urges all customers to wear a mask when in their stores.
Gov. Greg Abbott Announces The State Will Lift Mask Mandate, COVID-19 Business Restrictions
Gov. Abbott said in a press conference on Tuesday that the state will lift its mask mandate and issue a new executive order that will rescind most of the previous COVID-19 restrictions on businesses.
He said starting next Wednesday, March 10, all businesses will be allowed to reopen at 100% capacity.
“They get to choose how to operate their business the way they want to,” Abbott said. “At this time, people and businesses don’t need the state telling them how to operate.”
Abbott said the state will still do its part to accelerate vaccine distribution and maintain public health safety measures to protect against the coronavirus.
Dallas GOP Communications Director Will Busby said in response to the governor’s announcement: “Gov. Abbott has shown tremendous leadership throughout this pandemic, and that leadership continued today. Texas will remain the best state in the nation to do business and raise a family.”
He continued by saying, “With Texas leading the nation in vaccine distribution, we are confident that our state will continue to see COVID-19 cases decline and the Texas economy prosper.”
However, according to CDC data, Texas actually ranks near the bottom of the nation in terms of vaccine distribution per capita. Only 12% of Texans have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and Texas trails only Georgia in this department.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson encouraged residents to still take precautions and wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus, even if the mask restrictions are lifted.
"The people of Dallas should continue to mask up and take precautions to slow COVID-19’s spread and mutations," Johnson said in a statement. "We are getting closer to achieving herd immunity, and now is not the time to let down our guard. Vaccines, masks, and social distancing are the best tools we have for fighting this virus, which has claimed far too many lives in the last year.”
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins also said now is not the time to ease restrictions on businesses and lift the state mask mandate.
He urged businesses to continue requiring masks, social distancing, hand washing and enforcing small crowds.
"You will be rewarded by customers that trust you and believe in you and employees that trust you and believe in you, Jenkins said. "If we all do that together, we can still reach herd immunity sooner rather than later."
In response to Abbott, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley lifted that county’s mask mandate. However, Whitleytold the Fort Worth Star Telegram he wished the governor had waited until after Spring Break to make the change, because he expects a COVID surge.
Monday, March 1
Dallas County Reports 42 Deaths, 751 New Cases
The 42 deaths give the county a total of 2,993. Monday's deaths included people who ranged in age from their 40s to their 90s, and all but two people had underlying high-risk health conditions.
"While the number of deaths remain high, the number of cases and hospitalizations continue to trend lower," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said. "This has led some people to believe that they can relax wearing their masks, maintaining distance, and avoiding crowds. This is a mistake."
Tarrant County Reports 10 Deaths, 395 New Cases
The deaths include a woman from Hurst in her 90s, a woman from Fort Worth in her 90s, two women from Arlington in their 80s, a woman from Fort Worth in her 80s, a man from Haltom City in his 70s, a man from Colleyville in his 70s, a woman from Fort Worth in her 70s, and two men from Fort Worth in their 60s. All had underlying health conditions.
Tarrant County now has 2,883 confirmed deaths and 224,638 people have recovered.
Denton County Reports 704 New Cases
Of the 704 cases reported by Denton County, 641 of them are active cases. No new deaths were reported Monday, and the county has a cumulative total of 407 deaths. Denton County also reported 917 newly recovered cases, increasing the recovery total to 52,323.
DFW Airport Will Receive Relief Funds
Sen. John Cornryn announced Monday that the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport would receive $60 million in federal grants to provide economic relief and help with measures to combat COVID-19 at the airport.
“Quality transportation services are vital for boosting local economic growth, and now, more than ever, we must ensure airports have the support they need to get Texans from point A to point B,” said Cornyn in a statement. “I will continue doing everything I can to bolster our response to these unprecedented hardships, and I look forward to seeing the impact this funding will have on Dallas-Fort Worth and the rest of our great state.”
Most Texas Voters Trust COVID-19 Vaccine, But Some Won’t Get It
While most Texas voters believe vaccines are safe and effective, 28% do not plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine when it's available to them, according to a recent University of Texas and Texas Tribune poll.
Among both Republicans and Democrats, the majority of respondents agreed that in general, vaccines are safe and effective.
But 28% said they would not get the vaccine, and 16% still haven't made up their mind.
View the complete poll here.
Sunday, Feb. 28
Tarrant County Reports 593 New Cases
Another 593 cases in the area raises the total to 242,243. There have been 2,873 deaths and 223,376 people who have recovered from the virus in the area.
127 More Cases In Collin County
An additional 127 cases reported today brings the total to 70,047. There have been 721 deaths in the area.
Read More: A Timeline Of COVID-19's Spread In North Texas
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