COVID-19 In DFW June 7-13: Cases, Hospitalizations Rising In Texas

As Texas moves forward with a new phase of Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan for reopening businesses, the daily number of confirmed coronavirus casesand hospitalizations is on a steady, upward trend. 

Get the latest news from our COVID-19 Live Updates page.

Dallas County Reports Another Record-Setting Number Of Cases — 345

Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting another record-breaking number of positive COVID-19 cases with 345 cases. This brings the countywide total to 13,930.

In a statement, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said that more testing influences the increase in positive cases. "Of greater concern is the number of hospitalizations," Jenkins said. "We are at the highest point of COVID-19 hospitalizations that we've ever seen in our state, region and in Dallas County."

The county is reporting three deaths from COVID-19:

• An Irving man in his 50s who had underlying health conditions
• A man in his 60s who was a resident of a Seagoville long-term care facility
• A woman in her 90s who was a resident of a Mesquite long-term care facility

Tarrant County Reports 133 Cases

Tarrant County Public Health is reporting 133 additional cases of COVID-19. This brings the countywide total to 7,253.

Officials are also reporting three deaths. The deceased include a Mansfield woman in her 80s, a Hurst man in his 50s and an Arlington woman in her 80s.

Denton County Reports 32 Cases

Denton County Public Health is reporting 32 additional cases of COVID-19. This brings the countywide total to 1,719.

Collin County Reports 9 Cases

Collin County Public Health is reporting 9 additional cases of COVID-19. This brings the countywide total to 1,647.

COVID-19 Testing Centers Coming To Vickery Meadows, Paul Quinn College

The city of Dallas is opening two new neighborhood testing centers for COVID-19 at Paul Quinn College in southeast Dallas and Vickery Meadow in northeast Dallas.

This comes after Dallas has reported a string of record-high numbers of positive COVID-19 tests among residents. Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 328 additional cases on Friday, the highest yet recorded.

The Vickery Meadow site, which have the capacity for 250 tests a day, will be funded through private donations during the first two weeks. The Texas National Guard is partnering with the city of Dallas to provide the testing at the Paul Quinn campus.

Starting dates and times of operation for the new testing sites will be provided in the coming days. The two sites will be available to all essential workers, people who have symptoms of COVID-19, people who are age 65 or older and people who have underlying health conditions.

Tarrant County Reports 1 Death

Tarrant County Public Health today reported one COVID-19 death, a man in his 70s from Fort Worth. That brings the county's total death count to 191.

Also, the county's COVID-19 statistics dashboard reports 296 new cases today, but it notes that 197 of those were reported today because of a backlog due to a lab reporting issue.

Collin County Adds 31 New Cases

The Department of State Health Services reports that Collin County had 31 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the county's total to 1,638. 

Right now there are 313 active cases in the county. The death count has remained at 37 since Monday.

Denton County Reports A New High: 55 Cases

Denton County today reports 55 new cases, its highest one-day count yet.

That brings its confirmed case count since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,687.

Denton County Public Health Director Dr. Matt Richardson included with today's release of daily COVID-19 numbers that "we must remain vigilant in wearing masks, handwashing, and physical distancing to protect ourselves and others."

Also, DCPH will provide a free drive-through COVID-19 testing center on Tuesday, June 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. It will be located at the University of North Texas’ Union Circle Parking Garage, 350 S. Welch St. People who have had symptoms of COVID-19 within the past seven days, essential employees, people 60 years and older, and people who have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 are eligible. Pre-registration for testing is required; call 940-349-2585.

Dallas County Reports 328 More Cases, 3 Deaths 

Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 328 additional cases of COVID-19, another record high positive number of cases. These bring the new total case count in the county to 13,585.

The county reported an additional 3 deaths today: 

• A man in his 60s who was a resident of the City of Richardson. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A man in his 60s who was a resident of the City of Garland. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and did not have underlying high risk health conditions.
• A man in his 60s who was a resident of the City of Irving. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

Drive-Thru Voter Registration Available Saturday 

Dallas will offer drive-thru voter registration tomorrow.

From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center parking lot, volunteers will help people fill out the forms needed to register to vote.

Both cars and walk-ups are welcome.

Dallas County Reports 312 More Cases, 3 Deaths

Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 312 additional cases of COVID-19, a new record high number of positive cases. These bring the new countywide total number of cases to 13,257.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said on Twitter, "As we said several weeks ago, these are the numbers we’re looking at to most accurately predict a second surge, and doctors are looking at these numbers closely."

The county is also reporting three deaths:

• A Dallas woman in her 50s who had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A Dallas man in his 60s who was a resident of a long-term care facility. He had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A Dallas man in his 70s who had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high risk health conditions.

Tarrant County Reports 225 New Cases

Tarrant County is reporting 225 new COVID-19 cases today. As in recent days, data released by county health officials states the large increase in cases may be due to a lab reporting issue.

This brings the total number of cases in the county to 6,824, including 190 deaths. According to county health data, 2,938 residents have recovered from the disease.

Denton County Reports 33 New Cases

Denton County Public Health is reporting 33 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 1,632.

7 New Cases in Collin County

There are seven new COVID-19 cases in Collin County today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,609, including 37 deaths. 

Of those infected, 1,271 residents have recovered from the disease, according to data released by the state.

Here's How Coronavirus Is Impacting The Texas Economy

The coronavirus pandemic has steered the economy into the path of a recession. In Texas alone, the state’s unemployment rate set a new record, and more than 2.4 million people have filed for unemployment relief since mid-March. The week ending June 6, a total of 89,736 Texans filed initial applications for unemployment relief. Texas’ sales tax revenues — the largest source of funding for the state budget — have also dropped and are expected to create a shortfall that officials will have to fill. 

The number of Texas families that have applied for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has increased, demand has spiked at food banks across the state and rent programs have run dry in various cities. The state’s outdated and understaffed unemployment insurance office has left countless Texans confused and without unemployment benefits.

Cities are furloughing and laying off city employees, and officials have already ordered state agencies to begin making budget cuts.

Even though businesses across a wide swath of industries are allowed to reopen, economists say weakened oil prices, high unemployment and the ongoing public health crisis will slow Texas’ economic recovery.

Read the full story by The Texas Tribune. 

FEMA Denies North Texas Disaster Aid For Storms

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied the Governor's appeal to declare a major disaster in parts of North Texas hit by straight line winds and an EF-3 tornado.

FEMA's response to Greg Abbott's appeal said the impact of the storms wasn't severe enough to warrant the declaration.

A statement from Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said he's stunned and disappointed by the agency's decision. He said it "leaves Dallas taxpayers on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in damage" while managing a pandemic. 

Dallas County Reports Record 300 Cases, 3 More Deaths

Dallas County is reporting 300 new COVID-19 cases today, the highest single-day total yet. Health officials are also reporting three additional deaths. This brings the total number of cases in the county to 12,945, including 274 deaths. 

"Unfortunately, yesterday we saw an increase of 80 more hospitalizations across the DFW Metroplex than the day before and today that increase continued with 20 more hospitalizations. In Dallas County, we’ve gone from 321 hospitalizations for COVID-19 two days ago to 372 hospitalizations today," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement. "These numbers are concerning to the Public Health Committee and we’ll continue to watch them closely."

The three deaths reported today are being described as:

• A Dallas woman in her 40s who was hospitalized and had underlying health conditions.
• A DeSoto man in his 70s who was hospitalized and had underlying health conditions.
• A Garland woman in her 80s who lived at a long-term care facility where she died. She did not have underlying health conditions.   

Dallas Health Czar Reacts To High Case Counts In Dallas

Dr. Kelvin Baggett is the City of Dallas COVID-19 Health and Healthcare Access Czar. At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, he said the pandemic is disproportionately affecting the Hispanic community in Dallas.

"We are seeing higher rates of hospitalization amongst our essential workers," he said. "The data is showing us somewhere between 75 to 80 percent of those who are requiring hospitalization for COVID-19 in Dallas are essential workers, and we also now that members of the Hispanic community make up many of those essential worker categories."

Baggett says the city is working to make testing sites available in Hispanic communities. 

South Dallas Churches Expand Free Testing

The campaign “Together We Test” opened a free walk-up coronavirus testing site on Wednesday in DeSoto, at Disciple Central Community Church, 901 N. Polk Street #101. It plans to run every Wednesday until July 15.

This is the second such testing site at an African American church on the south side of Dallas County. Friendship-West Baptist Church has already started free walk-up testing on Thursdays at its 616 W. Kiest Boulevard location.

Together We Test, organized by the community group Project Unity, is set to start Friday testing at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church, 5710 E R L Thornton Fwy.

Other testing opportunities in South Dallas have come online recently, including two walk-up sites running now through Saturday, June 13th. Those are at Red Bird Mall/Westmoreland Park (7222 S. Westmoreland Rd.) and Inspired Vision Compassion Center (2019 N. Masters Drive).

People who took part in actions protesting police brutality are eligible for free coronavirus testing. The Dallas Morning News reported it was to run Wednesday and Thursday.

Also, Foremost Family Health Centers is hosting free testing on Saturday, June 13th at its MLK Jr. Family Clinic, 2922-B MLK Jr. Blvd. More information here.

Dallas County has a detailed list of testing sites here.

Tarrant County Reports 166 New Cases, 5 More Deaths

Health officials in Tarrant County are reporting 166 new cases of COVID-19 and five additional deaths. According to data released by officials, the large number of new cases is partly due to a lab reporting issue. 

KXAS-TV reports the deceased include an Arlington man in his 80s, a Benbrook man in his 80s, and two men in their 60s, and a man in his 50s, all from Fort Worth. Officials say all had underlying health conditions.

This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tarrant County 6,599, including 189 Deaths.

40 New Cases, 1 More Death In Denton County

One more person with COVID-19 in Denton County had died, according to health officials. The man is described as a Dallas resident in his 60s who had been hospitalized. There have now been 36 deaths related to the disease in the county.

“As we announce the third COVID-19 death in three days, we ask for your thoughts and prayers for this individual’s friends and family,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said in a statement. “Utilizing masks, physically distancing and washing your hands are still highly recommended to protect our community members and slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Denton County is also reporting 40 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 the county. This increases the cumulative, countywide total to 1,599 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

16 New Cases In Collin County

There are 16 new COVID-19 cases in Collin County today, according to data released by county officials. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 1,597, including 37 deaths. 

Data from state health officials says 1,077 county residents have recovered from the disease. 

Pop-Up Testing Site For Protesters Opens

A temporary testing site opens today near the American Airlines Center to provide COVID-19 tests for those who've been protesting police brutality.

Officials at Parkland Hospital and Health System told the Dallas Morning News the protesters qualify for a federally subsidized coronavirus test because Dallas County has classified them as high risk for exposure.

Parkland will tentatively shut down the drive-through testing site at American Airlines Center this afternoon - and again tomorrow afternoon - to provide testing for protesters at a walk-up site nearby.

That site is expected to open at 2 p.m. today.

Gov. Abbott Responds To The Rise In Case Totals And Hospitalizations

Texas for the first time has surpassed 2,000 patients hospitalized with coronavirus.

Yesterday's announcement marked the second consecutive day of Texas reporting a new high in hospitalizations.

But the Governor said "everything remains largely contained” as the state prepares to lift more restrictions this week.

Greg Abbott told station KTVT he was concerned, but not alarmed and that thousands of hospital beds remain available.

DFW Airport Prepares For More Travelers During The Summer

DFW Airport's preparing for more travelers over the summer.

The Transportation Security Administration has recorded about 440,000 passengers going through checkpoints this week - the biggest number since March 22. But that's still less than one-sixth of the number of passengers TSA processed on the same day a year ago.

The Dallas Morning News reports the TSA will reopen four screening areas at DFW in anticipation of increased travel over the July 4 holiday.

Even though normal air traffic levels aren't expected to return for a few years, extra capacity is needed in places like security lanes to maintain social distancing.

Dallas County Ties Daily Case Count Record

There are 298 additional COVID-19 cases in Dallas County today and seven more deaths.

“Today’s new number of COVID-19 cases ties with the highest day thus far, but keep in mind that we have more testing capability this week and that will continue to ramp up," said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. "The number of hospitalizations, ER visits for COVID-19 and ICU admissions for COVID-19 remains flat, which means we have yet to see that 14 day decline or really any decline that the doctors want to see before loosening restrictions."

The data released today brings the total COVID-19 case count in Dallas County to 12,645, including 271 deaths.

The seven deaths reported today are described as:

• A Mesquite woman in her 30s who had been critically ill in an area hospital, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

• A Dallas woman in her 40s who had been hospitalized, and had underlying high risk health conditions

• A Garland woman in her 50s who died in an area hospital, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

• A Dallas woman in her 50s who had been critically ill in an area hospital, and did not have underlying high risk health conditions.

• An Irving man in his 70s who lived at a long-term care facility where he died. He had underlying high risk health conditions.

• A Dallas man in his 70s who had been critically ill in an area hospital, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

• A Seagoville woman in her 80s who lived at a long-term care facility where she died. She had underlying high risk health conditions.  

64 New Cases In Tarrant County

Tarrant County is reporting 64 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 6,433, including 184 deaths.

Six additional deaths were reported today, and according to data released by county health officials, 2,864 residents have recovered from the disease.

1 Additional Death And 35 New Cases In Denton County

A man in his 50s with COVID-19 who lived in The Colony, Texas has died. His death marks the 35th related to COVID-19 in Denton County.

County helath officials are also reporting 35 newconfirmed cases today increasing the cumulative, countywide total to of COVID-19 cases 1,559.

Denton County will offer free drive-through COVID-19 testing in Carrollton Friday at Creekview High School (3201 Old Denton Rd) from 8 a.m. to noon. Any community member who has symptoms of COVID-19, or has been symptomatic within the past 7 days is eligable for testing. All essential employees, as well as individuals who have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, are also eligible for free testing. Community members must call 940-349-2585 to pre-register.

Collin County Reports 78 New Cases

Collin County is reporting 78 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 1,582, including 37 deaths. 

According to data released by state health officials, 1,059 county residents have recovered from the disease. 

In Texas, Case Totals And Hospitalizations Are On The Rise

As Texas moves forward with a new phase of Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan for reopening businesses, the daily number of confirmed coronavirus casesand hospitalizations is on a steady, upward trend.

Throughout the state, the number of new cases reported each day has grown from an average of about 1,081 during the week ending May 24 to about 1,527 in the past week. (Public health data varies day to day, so officials use a seven-day rolling average to better capture trends over time.)

The 14-day trend line shows new infections in Texas have risen about 71% in the past two weeks. Although confirmed infections have increased across the state, hot spots like state prisons and meatpacking plants, which have recently been the sites of mass or targeted testing, are responsible for a portion of the increase, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the state reported 1,935 Texans were being treated for COVID-19 in hospitals, which is the highest number of hospitalizations reported by the state so far.

Read the full story by The Texas Tribune. 

Gov. Abbott Says Testing To Increase In Minority Communities  

The Governor said Texas will push for increased coronavirus testing in minority communities.

Greg Abbott yesterday said the state will expand walk-up and drive-through testing sites in areas hit hard by cases.

The state emergency management division's working with local officials in Dallas, San Antonio, the Rio Grand Valley and several other areas to ramp up testing sites for each community.

The move comes after several black lawmakers complained Texas hasn’t adequately addressed their pleas for better racial data and efforts to decrease the toll COVD-19 has taken on African Americans.

Many of the more than 70,000 confirmed cases and 1,700 deaths on the state’s case dashboard do not have information on race and ethnicity.

254 Additional Cases In Dallas County 

Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 254 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count in the county to 12,347. 

“Today’s numbers are a slight decrease from yesterday. We’re hopeful that the increase that we saw over the last few days was due to population testing in nursing homes and other factors and not the beginning of a spike in cases," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said. "Doctors will be watching this closely for the next few days to try to determine that."

There have been 264 deaths related to COVID-19 in the county. No additional deaths were reported today.

Due To Backlog Tarrant County Reports 219 New Cases

Tarrant County is reporting 219 new COVID-19 cases today. According to data released by county health officials, 164 of those new cases are due to a backlog caused by a "lab reporting issue."

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 6,369, including 178 deaths. County health data says 2,743 residents have recovered from the disease.  

Dallas Man With COVID-19 Dies In Plano Hospital

A 75-year-old Dallas man from with COVID-19 died Friday at a hospital in Plano, according to Collin county health officials. The man lived in the Collin County portion of the City of Dallas, and officials say he had no known underlying health conditions.

As of today, there have been 1,447 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Collin County, including 37 deaths. Officials say 1,036 individuals with the disease have recovered.

1 Additional Death And 24 New Cases In Denton County

Denton County officials are reporting one additional death due to COVID-19 today, bringing the total to 34 deaths related to the disease in the county. The man who died was in his 60s and lived in the City of Denton.

County health officials are also reporting 24 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Denton County.  This increases the cumulative, countywide total to 1,524 confirmed cases.

Denton County Public Health is offering free drive-through COVID-19 testing Tuesday at the University of North Texas’ Union Circle Parking Garage (350 S. Welch St.) from 8 a.m. to noon. Any community member who has symptoms of COVID-19, or hasbeen symptomatic within the past 7 days can get tested. All essential employees are also eligible for free testing regardless of symptoms. Community members must call 940-349-2585 to pre-register for testing. 

Dallas County To Offer Coronavirus Testing To Protesters

As protests against police brutality continue in Dallas, officials are concerned about the spread of COVID-19. 

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said on Saturday that the county is going to provide tests to protesters. 

“We’ll probably do some events,” he said, noting that testing would be done by the Parkland Health and Hospital System. “We’re not sharing your information with law enforcement. Okay? You have my word on that. It will not be shared with law enforcement. You need to know your status to keep you and your family safe.”

Jenkins' remarks were to the media during the Texas State Democratic Party’s virtual convention on Saturday. 

Jenkins also said Dallas County has been supplying masks and hand sanitizer to protest groups. 

A county spokesperson on Saturday said Dallas County has handed out 2,600 masks and 1,000 hand sanitizer pens with the Dallas Mavericks logo. She said details about testing events are forthcoming.

Inmates Report Dangerous Practices Inside The Texas Prison With The Most Coronavirus Deaths

Within the walls of the Texas prison with the most reported coronavirus deaths, the men locked inside are telling a drastically different story than the state about how inmates are being handled during the pandemic.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has emphasized that healthy inmates are kept separated from sick inmates and those exposed to the sick to limit the spread of the illness that has exploded within state lockups — with nearly 6,900 inmates known to have had the virus as of Saturday.

The agency, which began mass testing in mid-May at dozens of its more than 100 lockups across the state, has also said prisoners in facilities that have COVID-19 infections are only taken out of cells to shower in small groups, while inmates with symptoms are tested and isolated.

Inmates at Huntsville’s Wynne Unit, however, say the prison didn’t test feverish inmates in April, after the virus had taken hold in the cellblocks, and continues to routinely place sick or exposed inmates in cells or other close quarters with the healthy. They say men who otherwise have been separated from each other are still often taken to the showers in large groups.

Read the full story by The Texas Tribune.

Black Lawmakers Said The State Has Failed To Answer Its Virus Requests 

Black lawmakers in Texas said the state hasn't come through on their pleas for better racial data and efforts to decrease COVD-19′s toll on African-Americans.

The Dallas Morning News reports the black lawmakers back in April asked Governor Greg Abbott for a task force and a more accurate count of the disease's impact on black and brown Texans. A request letter from a Houston state House member was signed by 49 other Republican and Democratic members of the Texas House. But so far, no answers.

Texas has struggled to track racial health disparities. Many of the more than 70,000 confirmed cases and 1,700 deaths on the state’s case dashboard do not have information on race and ethnicity.

Black lawmakers have also called for more testing in black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

Abbott spokesman John Wittman said Texas will significantly ramp up testing in those neighborhoods today, but he didn't provide additional details.

Dallas County Reports 263 New Cases, 2 Additional Deaths

Dallas County on Sunday reported 263 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count to 12,093. Two new deaths were reported – an Irving man in his 20s who did not have underlying high-risk health conditions, as well as a woman in her 90s who lived at a long-term care facility. Countywide, 264 people have died.

Tarrant County on Sunday reported 77 new cases, for a total of 6,150. The county reported two additional deaths -- a Fort Worth man in his 60s and a Benbrook woman in her 70s. Both had underlying health conditions, health officials said. A total of 178 people have died in Tarrant County.

Denton County on Sunday announced 14 new cases for a total of 1,500 confirmed cases. No new deaths were announced. Countywide, there have been 33 deaths.

Denton County Public Health is providing a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing center in Denton on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until noon. The testing’s available to eligible community members -- those who have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been symptomatic within the past seven days. All essential employees are also eligible for free testing.  Call to pre-register for testing at 940-349-2585. Learn more about the county’s testing centers.

In Dallas County, COVID-19 Cases Are On The Rise

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Dallas County.

The county closed out last week with its highest daily average number of new cases -- more than 260 new cases. It was the county's second deadliest week, with 34 deaths tied to COVID-19.

Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, ties the increase to a statewide push to test everyone in nursing homes.

"There's a lot of asymptomatic positives, and so when we're testing everyone, some of those are coming out, and so we do think that that's probably a cause for some of these latest numbers,” Huang said at a press conference.

Case numbers don't tell the whole story because testing availability and criteria have evolved. Health officials also look at emergency room visits, hospitalizations and ICU admissions. County leaders say those numbers have stayed relatively flat. Officials want to see a 14-day decline before easing the COVID-19 risk level. 

Read More: A Timeline Of COVID-19's Spread In North Texas

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