For the latest on the pandemic in North Texas, visit KERA News' COVID-19 Live Updates page.
Saturday, June 19
Dallas County Reports 102 Cases, Two Deaths
The two deaths reported Saturday give Dallas County a cumulative total of 4,109. The deaths include a woman in her 40s and a woman in her 60s, both with underlying health conditions.
Tarrant County Reports 129 New Cases, One Death
The death reported Saturday was an Arlington woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions. Tarrant County has seen 3,555 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. The county has also seen a total of 262,463 cases of COVID-19, and 257,058 people have recovered.
Vaccines Available At Fair Park Today
Dallas County Health and Human Services is offering COVID-19 vaccines at Fair Park today. Several community clinics will also offer vaccinations throughout the weekend.
We have several opportunities to get your #COVID19 vaccine this weekend. Fair Park is open Saturday from 8am-8pm or you can join us at one of the below community vaccination clinics. pic.twitter.com/MoaZKgDw58
— Dallas County HHS (@DCHHS) June 18, 2021
Friday, June 18
AP-NORC Poll: Many Americans Resuming Pre-Virus Activities
Many Americans are relaxing precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and resuming everyday activities, even as some worry that coronavirus-related restrictions were hastily lifted, a new poll shows.
The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that majorities of Americans who were regularly doing so before the pandemic say they are returning to bars or restaurants, traveling and attending events such as movies or sports.
Just 21% are very or extremely worried about a COVID-19 infection in their inner circle — the lowest level since the pandemic began — and only 25% are highly concerned that the lifted restrictions will lead to additional people being infected in their community.
Andrea Moran, a 36-year-old freelance writer and mother of two boys, said she feels both relief and joy at the chance to resume “doing the little things,” such as having drinks on a restaurant patio with her husband.
“Honestly, I almost cried,” Moran said. “It’s such a feeling of having been through the wringer, and we’re finally starting to come out of it.”
Still, 34% of Americans think restrictions in their area have been lifted too quickly, while somewhat fewer — 27% — say they were not lifted quickly enough. About 4 in 10 rate the pace of reopening about right.
Dallas County Reports 180 New Cases
There are 180 additional cases in the area, raising the total to 262,088. Of the cases reported today, 98 are confirmed.
One death was reported today of a Cockrell Hill woman in her 70s. Two more people who are unvaccinated and under 45 years of age have contracted the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.
25 Additional Cases In Denton County
Another 25 cases raise the total to 76,705. There have been 76 newly-recovered cases in the area, increasing the countywide recovery total to 74,170.
Tarrant County Announced 81 More Cases
An additional 81 cases brings the total to 262,334. There have been 3,554 deaths and 256,986 people have recovered from the virus in the area.
Thursday, June 17
Dallas County Reports 103 Cases, Three Deaths
The three deaths give Dallas County a total of 4,106. The deaths reported Thursday included people who ranged in age from their 60s to their 90s, and all had underlying high risk health conditions.
About 56% of Dallas County residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of the week ending June 12.
Denton County Reports 44 Cases
Of the 44 cases reported Thursday, 43 are active cases. Denton County also reported 62 recoveries, bringing that total to 74,095. There have been 604 deaths in the county.
El Paso, Once Hard-Hit By COVID-19, Now Has A High Vaccination Rate
One of the Texas cities hardest hit by the pandemic is now among those leading the nation in COVID-19 vaccinations.
El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar lauded her hometown's immunization efforts on the House floor Wednesday.
"When President Biden announced his goal to vaccinate 70 percent of our nation, El Paso not only met the goal a month early but we've surpassed it and currently lead the country by 10 percent," she said.
Texas, as a whole, is lagging behind Biden's goal to have 70% of U.S. adults get their first shot by July 4th. About 55% of Texans 12 and older have gotten at least one shot.
Delta Variant Is A Cause For Concern
Public health experts in North Texas are concerned about the spread of the "Delta" coronavirus variant first detected in India.
Dr. Carolee Estelle is the Interim Chief of Infection Prevention at Parkland Hospital. She spoke about the Delta variant Wednesday at a virtual town hall.
"It spreads about 40 to 60-percent more efficiently or easily than the alpha variant (from the United Kingdom), which already was able to spread about 50% more easily than the original strain of the virus," Estelle said. "And experts anticipate that this delta variant will become dominant in the U.S. pretty quickly."
Estelle said the Delta variant seems to cause more severe illness and hospitalizations than other strains. She said fully vaccinated people should be well-protected, but the variant poses a greater threat to those who've not been inoculated.Wednesday, June 16
Dallas County Reports 112 New Cases
An additional 112 cases raises the total to 261,898. Of the cases reported today, 58 are confirmed. Four deaths were reported today including:
- A Grand Prairie woman in her 50s.
- Two Dallas women in their 60s.
- An Irving man in his 60s.
142 New Cases In Tarrant County
There are 142 more cases in the area, bringing the total to 262,098. So far, a total of 3,543 deaths and 256,768 people have recovered from the virus.
Currently, 2% of hospital beds in the county are occupied by COVID-19 patients.
Denton County Announces 23 Additional Cases
Another 23 cases increases the total to 76,636. Of the cases reported today, 21 are active. There are 96 newly-recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 74,035.
Tuesday, June 15
Parkland Hospital To Host Vaccine Clinics In Dallas County
This week, Parkland Hospital will host several COVID-19 vaccination clinics across Dallas County. People over the age of 12 can receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine without an appointment and will be scheduled to return for their second dose in 21 days.
A valid ID will be required and all minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Vaccine clinics will be available at the following locations:
Tuesday, June 15 — 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Location: Hutchins Gateway Apartments, 700 J. J. Lemmon Road, Hutchins, 75141
Supplies: 80 Pfizer doses available
The second dose will be administered on Tuesday, July 6
Wednesday, June 16 — 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: MacArthur High School, 3700 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, 75062
Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses available
The second dose will be administered on Wednesday, July 7
Friday, June 18 — 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Awesome Touch Hair Salon (located in Square 67), 2550 W. Red Bird Lane, Dallas, 75237
Supplies: 80 Pfizer doses available
The second dose will be administered on Friday, July 9
Saturday, June 19 — 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Uplift Hampton Preparatory, 8915 S. Hampton Road, Dallas, 75232
Supplies: 500 Pfizer doses available
The second dose will be administered on Saturday, July 10
Individuals 12 years and older can also get a vaccine at the following locations:
- Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St., Dallas, 75232 from 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday.
- Parkland Memorial Hospital, 5200 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, 75235 between 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday or between 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Dallas County Reports 4 Deaths, 189 New Cases
Another 189 cases raise the total to 261,840. Of the cases reported, 131 are confirmed. Three deaths reported today include:
- A Desoto man in his 40s.
- A Garland man in his 50s.
- A Grand Prairie woman in her 70s.
Dallas County Clay Jenkins said today marks the milestone of 600,000 deaths due to the virus in the U.S. He urged residents to get the vaccine:
“The numbers are improving because people are getting vaccinated. But for the unvaccinated, COVID-19 is still one of the biggest, if not the biggest, risk to your life this year. It is a risk that can be almost completely eliminated by accepting the free vaccine that is readily available throughout Dallas County.”
60 New Cases In Denton County
There are 60 additional cases in the area, bringing the total to 76,613. The county also reported 92 newly-recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 73,939.
Tarrant County Announces 44 New Cases
An additional 44 cases in the county increases the total to 261,956. There are 3,543 deaths and 256,601 people who have recovered from the virus in the area.
Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Supports Bill Banning Evictions During National Emergencies
Texas congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is among the Democrats backing a bill to ban evictions during national emergencies.
A House Judiciary subcommittee considered the legislation during a hearing Monday, just weeks before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s pandemic-related eviction moratorium is set to expire. The bill specifically targets "self-help" evictions. The Houston Democrat explained what they are:
"Despite local, state, and federal prohibitions the self help evictions are changing locks, cutting off utilities, refusing to make essential repairs, removing their belongings, harassing tenants in order to create an environment where tenants will leave on their own."
The Emergency Eviction Enforcement Act of 2021 would, among other things, prevent landlords from evicting tenants without a court order and creating a hostile environment at the property.
Monday, June 14
Over 40% Of Texans Are Fully Vaccinated
Nearly 11 million people in Texas are fully vaccinated, which represents 40% of the state’s total population.
The vaccination rate has been on a decline since April.
Last week, 370,000 doses were administered in Texas last week. More than 23 million doses have been administered in total.
Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths are at the lowest levels since the first wave last summer.
Dallas County Reports 107 New Cases
An additional 107 cases raises the total to 261,709. Of the cases reported today, 102 are confirmed. Four deaths were reported today including:
- A Dallas man in his 50s.
- A Garland woman in her 60s.
- A Dallas man in his 80s.
- A Rowlett man in his 80s.
During April and May, 20% of the county’s COVID-19 cases were in children younger than 18 years old.
74 Additional Cases In Denton County
Another 74 cases brings the total to 76,553. There are 125 newly recovered cases, increasing the countywide recovery total to 73,847.
Tarrant County Announces 58 New Cases
There are 58 more cases in the area, increasing the total to 261,912. There have been 3,543 deaths and 256,509 people have recovered from the virus in the area.
New State Agency Will Help Texans With Pandemic Recovery
A new state agency called Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute is meant to help Texas recover from the current COVID-19 pandemic while preparing for the next one.
Eric Boerwinkle is dean of UT Health Science Center at Houston's School of Public Health, which will lead in launching the agency. He told public radio's Texas Standard that they'll use both federal and state funding.
“It takes more money obviously to stand up a new state agency, and we'll be able to use the current federal funds that are being provided to Texas for pandemic preparedness, along with other things related to COVID-19 response,” he said. “But in the future it'll be a combination really of federal funds and state funds.”
Boerwinkle said the agency will also partner with the Texas Department of State Health Services and won't duplicate efforts of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sunday, June 13
Tarrant County Reports 108 New Cases
Tarrant County is reporting 108 new cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases to 261,854. Of the new cases, 84 were confirmed and 24 were probable.
Two deaths were reported.
Read More: A Timeline Of COVID-19's Spread In North Texas
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