This week, Dallas opened two drive-through testing sites. People are eligible for testing if they have a fever of at least 99.6 degrees and are either older than 65, a DART bus driver, a first responder or a healthcare worker.
Get the latest news from our COVID-19 Live Updates page.
Saturday, March 21
5:58 p.m. - Tarrant County Announces Tighter Restrictions, Closing Of In-Person Worship Services
Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley announced tighter restrictions that will go into effect 6 p.m. on Saturday, including the closing of in-person worship services.
“We cannot stress enough that Tarrant County residents practice social distancing where you stay at least 6 feet away from other individuals,” Whitley said. “You need to have sufficient space to have people be at least 6 feet apart. To whatever degree possible, we would encourage you to have sign-in logs to keep track of everyone you have come in contact with.”
The new restrictions will also close malls and other “non-essential retail establishments such as barber shops, hair salons, nail salons as well as spas and massage parlors.”
Businesses deemed “essential services” like grocery stores, pharmacies and other stores selling household items will remain open.
5:38 p.m. - Dallas County Closes Nail Salons, Limits Toilet Paper Purchases
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced tighter restrictions on Saturday including the closure of personal care services like beauty and nail salons, a limit on purchases of toilet paper and the banning of public or private recreational gatherings.
The restrictions will go into effect 11:59 p.m. Saturday until 11:59 p.m. on April 3.
In the amended order, Jenkins said all personal care services that can’t be provided with a six foot distance must close. Personal care businesses listed in the order include: “massage parlors, nail salons, hair salons, barber shops, beauty salons, hair removal services, spas, tattoo and piercing parlors, and all other non-medical, personal care services.”
Elective medical, surgical and dental procedures are also prohibited.
Purchases of toilet paper will also be limited to either 12 rolls per purchase or one package per purchase, whichever is greater. The limit will be in effect “until the supply chain meets the demand” or in two weeks, whichever comes first.
Public or private recreational events and community gatherings will also be banned. People using outdoor spaces like the Katy Trail must keep a six foot distance from each other. Officers will be stationed outside and people who are not following those rules could be ticketed.
Jenkins also called on the business and manufacturing community to focus on making more personal protective equipment and ventilators.
3:33 p.m. - Dallas Police Will Begin Screening 911 Callers For COVID-19
The Dallas Police Department announced it will begin asking 911 callers screening questions for COVID-19.
“This change is intended to provide our first responders with critical safety information in order for them to take all appropriate precautionary measures,” the press release said.
Callers will be asked the following questions:
- In the last 14 days, have you traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea?
- In the last 14 days, have you been in close contact with anyone known to have the coronavirus?
- Are you experiencing any fever, cough or shortness of breath?
11:47 a.m. - Dallas County Announces 21 Additional Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services announced 21 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s case count to 95.
Over 40% of the county’s reported cases have no recent out-of-state travel history and no known close contact with a confirmed case, indicating community spread.
“Community spread is accelerating rapidly but not as fast as it would without the way this community is stepping up,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said. “The responsible actions of the people of Dallas County are helping to slow the spread of the virus. That’s critical for the healthcare supply chain and vaccination work to catch up and for our healthcare system to not be overwhelmed with patients. #StayCalmStayHome #FlattenTheCurve.”
Four Cases Confirmed At Denton State Supported Living Center, Six Additional Cases In Denton County
Denton County Public Health announced four confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Denton State Supported Living Center and six additional cases in the county.
At the living center, one confirmed case was reported in a March 20 press release and the three additional cases have since been confirmed. One patient is in their 50s and the other three residents are in their 60s. All of the patients are in hospital isolation.
There are 24 total confirmed cases in Denton County after the county announced the four cases at the living center and six additional cases on Saturday afternoon.
The DCPH is working with the living center to follow-up on any other individuals that might have been exposed. Any individuals who are identified as being exposed will be contacted directly by DCPH.
“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our residents, the staff that work day in and day out to serve them and the local community that is such a strong supporter of the Denton State Supported Living Center,” Scott Schalchlin, the Texas Health and Human Services Associate Commissioner for State Supported Living Centers, said.
Schalchlin said DCPH and the Department of State Health Services are taking precautions to limit the virus’ spread.
“HHS restricted visitation to all state supported living centers and suspended community outings for residents on March 13, 2020, in addition to routinely screening staff, residents, and any essential visitors earlier this month according to CDC guidelines,” he said.
9:48 - Second Dallas Police Officer Tests Positive For COVID-19
The Dallas Police Department announced that a second officer has tested presumptive positive for COVID-19.
“We know that some of our officers will contract the virus,” a news release said. “DPD is prepared to address the issue with sound medical advice from our experts as well as a contingency plan to maintain operations to keep the community safe.”
The exposed officer worked out of Central Patrol. The individual’s last day at work was on March 12 and he tested positive on March 20. The officer is currently being isolated and is doing well, according to the DPD.
One coworker who was in close contact with the officer has been quarantined.
According to the news release, the DPD building is being cleaned and sanitized while DPD’s Chief Medical Doctor Alex Eastman is working to provide guidance to other officers who may have come in contact with the exposed officer.
“All possible measures are being taken to protect the officers and mitigate the spread of the virus,” the news release said.
DPD has issued 3,200 bottles of 60% or more alcohol-based sanitizer and 6,000 boxes of gloves. The department has also increased the cleaning and sanitizing measures of common areas like main entrances, restrooms and elevators. Officers have also been given commercial cleaning products for their vehicles.
Dallas Closes City Parks, Libraries And Cultural Facilities Indefinitely
The City of Dallas announced that libraries, neighborhood cultural centers, recreation centers, athletic fields, golf courses, tennis centers and cultural facilities like the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will remain closed indefinitely.
All city programs at these locations will also be suspended until further notice.
The Dallas Public Library staff will answer calls and respond to emails from the public. Reserved materials can be picked up curbside from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting March 23. The deadline for all borrowed library materials has been extended to April 30 and may be extended further. Return drop boxes at libraries are now closed.
Find out more about neighborhood cultural centers like the Bath House Cultural Center, Latino Cultural Center, Oak Cliff Cultural Center and South Dallas Cultural Centerhere.
Social services staff from the community centers will continue to answer calls and the Senior Services Help Line can be reached at 214-670-5227.
Friday, March 20
Dallas County To Offer Limited Drive-Through Testing
Dallas County officials say they’re opening two drive-through testing sites for COVID-19. The sites will operate this weekend, but testing is limited to certain individuals.
Saturday’s testing site is American Airlines Center at 2500 Victory Plaza in Dallas. The site opens at 8 a.m. Sunday’s testing site is at Ellis Davis Field House at 9191 S. Polk St. in Dallas. The site opens at 8 a.m.
People are eligible for testing if they have a fever of at least 99.6 degrees and are either older than 65, a DART bus driver, a first responder or a healthcare worker, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said on Twitter.Learn more here.
7:51 p.m. - Gov. Abbott Postpones Runoff Primary Election
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the runoff primary election will be postponed until July 14 and early voting will begin on July 6.
The election was originally scheduled for May 26.
“Holding the runoff in May would cause the congregation of large gatherings of people in confined spaces and cause numerous election workers to come into close proximity with others,” the statement said. “This would threaten the health and safety of many Texans.”
Plano Police Officer Tests Positive For COVID-19
A Plano police officer has tested positive for COVID-19.
Chief Ed Drain says the officer likely contracted the virus during work-related travel -- and that the officer had only been in contact with other employees, who are staying at home.
“This officer's particular job is not connected with answering calls for service or anything with witnesses,” he told reporters. “So, to the best of our knowledge, he did not come in contact with any citizens whatsoever.”
The officer does not require hospitalization at this time.
Drain also says the Plano Police Department has taken preventative measures in order to avoid the spread of coronavirus to people inside the city jail.
"We put detainees in single cells, we check their temperature when they come in -- obviously, if they are over a certain level, we take them to the hospital,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Dallas police officer tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday -- officials say the Dallas officer is doing well.
Denton County Reports 6 New Cases
Denton County is reportingsix new cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 15.
Frisco and Lewisville each have four cases, and Denton has two. Aubrey, Double Oak, Justin, Little Elm and Prosper each has one case. Eleven are in home isolation, while four are in hospitals.
Dallas Mavericks Foundation Donates $500,000 For Childcare Expenses For Health Care Workers
The Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban, guard Luka Dončić and center Dwight Powell joined the Mavericks Foundation in donating $500,000 to help offset childcare costs for medical workers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Hospital. The funds are for those workers providing care in the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.
“We can’t thank our healthcare workers enough for putting their patients’ well-being before their own,” said Cuban in astatement. “I am thankful to Luka and Dwight as we partner up to support healthcare workers who are doing everything they can to keep our community healthy.”
Dallas Police Department Expands Use Of Online Reporting
The Dallas Police Department announced aplan to limit exposure to the coronavirus for first responders and the public. The department is expanding the use of theDallas Online Reporting System for several lower priority calls such as criminal mischief, graffiti, lost property and debit/credit card abuse. For a full list of reports,click here.
Effective March 19, DPD will not physically respond to these calls. Instead they ask that citizens use theonline reporting system.
2 p.m. - Gov. Greg Abbott Announces Approval Of Emergency Designation For Small Business Disaster Loans
Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has included the state of Texas in its Economic Injury Disaster Declaration and granted access to its Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which will provide long-term, low-interest loans to qualifying businesses across the state.
Gov. Abbott also announced a new public service announcement featuring Texas actor Matthew McConaughey aimed at social distancing. In the video, McConaughey says, "Over 500,000 brave Texas hospital and EMS workers are on the frontline of the coronavirus outbreak, answering the call that requires them to leave their homes," McConaughey said in the PSA. "You can answer the call too, by staying home if you can."
1:26 p.m. - Tarrant County Reports 10 New Coronavirus Cases
Tarrant County Public Health reports 10 new positive COVID-19 cases in Tarrant County. The total number of positive cases in Tarrant County now stands at 29. The new positive cases are in Arlington (4); Euless (1); Fort Worth (2); Keller (1); and Lakeside (2). Two COVID-19 cases have also recovered from the virus.
“We are interviewing these new patients, identifying places they’ve traveled to and reaching out to others who may have been exposed,“ said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja. “Because of HIPAA laws regarding the confidentiality of health information, we are not allowed to provide any other details,” he said.
1:12 p.m. American Airlines Cancels Flights, Ground Half Of Fleet; Southwest Ceases Operating Out Of Chicago Midway
American Airlines says it plans to cancel 55,000 flights next month and it is grounding nearly half the fleet while expecting plummeting demand for air travel to get even worse. The airline’s president, Robert Isom, detailed the moves in a letter Thursday to employees. The company has cut its international schedule for April by 75% and domestic flying by 30%, with plans to cut even more in May.
Southwest Airlines announced Friday that it has cancelled all of its fights in and out of Midway International Airport, days after federal authoritiesclosed the airport’s control tower after technicians tested positive for the coronavirus.
“We have ceased operations at the Chicago Midway airport due to the closure of the FAA ATC tower in the Chicago area,” Southwest Airlines spokesperson Ro Hawthorne wrote in an email.
The airlines’ move resulted in more than 173 canceled flights on Friday.
The Federal Aviation Administration closed Midway’s control tower on Tuesday after the federal agency said “several” technicians tested positive for coronavirus. The FAA said in a statement that the airport remained open and operations would continue at a reduced rate until controllers and technicians have a safe working environment.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association, which represents around 290 airlines worldwide, on Thursday put the price tag on combined lost revenue to date at $7 billion. It will get a lot worse. The group estimates total costs worldwide could reach $113 billion. The group called for emergency aid of up to $200 billion for airlines globally.
Billy Bob’s Hosting Three-Day Blood Drive To Replenish North Texas Blood Supply
Bull riding, concerts and line dancing are still off the table at the world’s largest Honky Tonk, but Billy Bob’s Texas is hoping for strong turnout this weekend at amassive blood drive.
The City of Fort Worth gave the dance hall and concert venue permission to gather crowds — despite acitywide ban on gatherings of more than ten people — because the region's blood supplies.Carter BloodCare says the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of more than 4,000 blood donation appointments this month. The blood bank serves 90% of hospitals in North, Central and East Texas, and says it needs a minimum of 700 successful donations in the next five days.
“We are taking extra precautions by increased cleaning of surfaces and mopping down our buses each evening. Going to a blood drive or a Carter BloodCare donation center is considered safe and necessary for our community’s health. Remember, only healthy people are there to donate blood.”
Billy Bob's blood drive will be open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
11:07 a.m. - Dallas County Health and Human Services Releases Coronavirus Numbers
According to the Dallas County Health and Human Services, clusters of transmission of the coronavirus have been noted among those who have attended recreational group gatherings and employees in office settings.
As of March 19, Dallas County has reported 33 women and 41 men who have tested positive and most cases are in individuals 18-60 years of age. Twenty-two cases are in ages 60 and over.
Of the 74 total cases, 51 reside in Dallas, five in Irving, four each in Garland and Mesquite.
Of those testing positive, 9 have been admitted to intensive care units and 21 were hospitalized, while 53 were not hospitalized.
9:45 a.m. - Tax Day Deadline Extended To July
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced onTwitter today that the deadline for filing federal income tax has been moved to July 15.
He encourages those taxpayers who expect a refund to file now as opposed to waiting until the new July deadline.
Mnuchin's comments Friday appeared to expand guidance released by the Treasury on Thursday, which did not change the April 15 filing deadline but allowed "all individual and other non-corporate tax filers to defer up to $1 million of federal income tax" to July 15 without interest or penalties.
The previous guidance also allowed corporate taxpayers to defer up to $10 million of federal income tax payments.
7:20 a.m. - Two Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Employees Test Positive For COVID-19
According todocuments released by the Texas Department of Public Safety, two employees have tested positive for COVID-19. One employee worked at the Carrollton driver license office, and the other did recruiting in an office in Belton.
“Public safety is our number one concern, and the department will work in conjunction with public health authorities to provide any additional information necessary to notify the public of these positive cases,” the department saidin a statement. “DPS continues to follow guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
YMCA Offers Emergency Child Care
YMCAs in Dallas County have been given approval by county Health and Human services to offer limited childcare to those who work as first responders, medical professionals, government officials, grocery workers and pharmacy workers.
The child care services are strictly limited to parents who must have it because of their line of work and the organization will screen children in their care, according totheir website.
“The health of all is not only a top priority, but it’s part of our mission,” their website says. “We will do temperature screenings prior to entry and after lunch.”
The program will begin March 23 and is scheduled to run each weekday through the end of April.
Thursday, March 19
Dallas Police Officer Tests Positive For COVID-19
A Dallas police officer working out of the Northeast Patrol tested positive for the coronavirus today.
The officer is isolated and is currently doing well, according to an emailed report from the Dallas Police Department.
Three coworkers who were in close contact with the officer are quarantined as a precaution.
"We are working with the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services on any other necessary steps that may need to be taken," the email notice said. "In the meantime, one of the city’s contractors has been notified and began sanitizing" the Northeast Patrol building.
Dallas PD's chief medical officer, Alex Eastman, is giving guidance to officers who might have come in contact with the officer who tested positive.
The email said that cleaning protocols, especially in common areas like main entrances and elevators, have been increased. Officers also have been given sanitizing products for their vehicles.
"We know that some of our officers will contract the virus," the report said. "DPD is prepared to address the issue with sound medical advice from our experts as well as a contingency plan to maintain operations to keep the community safe."
Denton County Reports More Cases, Including Local Transmission
Denton County has confirmed four new cases of COVID-19. This increases the countywide total to nine cases.
The latest cases include a Lewisville woman in her 50s who’s been hospitalized; her case is one of community transmission.
The other new cases are a Denton man in his 60s, a Frisco man in his 40s and a Lewisville woman in her 20s. All three of those cases involve travel-related exposure; all three are at their homes.
Meanwhile, Dallas County has reported a total of 55 cases of COVID-19; Tarrant County has reported 19 cases.
More Colleges Move To Online-Only Classes
Texas Christian University is moving to online-only classes through the rest of the spring semester. The Fort Worth college had extended its spring break through the rest of this week amid uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic.
TCU joins a number of other schools in forgoing in-classroom instruction, including Paul Quinn College, Texas Wesleyan University, University of North Texas, UT-Arlington and UT-Dallas. Other area colleges have temporarily moved instruction online, and plan to re-assess whether classroom instruction should resume later.
No decisions have been made about commencement at TCU, according to a letter from the school’s chancellor posted online Thursday.
Tarrant County Public Health Confirms 10 New Positive Cases
Tarrant County Public Health reported 10 new positive COVID-19 cases in Tarrant County Thursday. That brings the total number of positive cases in the county to 19, including an Arlington man who died Sunday.
Patrick James was an elderly man who lived in a cottage at the Texas Masonic Retirement Home in Arlington. James had no travel or yet-known contact with other COVID-19 cases.
Officials say they are still investigating the methods of transmission, but it is known that some of the cases are travel-related.
"We are interviewing these patients, identifying places they’ve traveled to and reaching out to others who may have been exposed," said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja.
Here's the latest breakdown of the numbers and cities (updated to reflect corrected numbers from the county):
- Fort Worth, 5
- Arlington, 5
- Southlake, 2
- North Richland Hills, 2
- 1 each in Benbrook, Colleyville, Mansfield, Watauga and White Settlement
Gov. Abbott Bans Groups Of 10 Or More; Closes Bars, Dine-In Restaurants
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday took sweeping action to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus across Texas, issuing an executive order that will close restaurants and schools, among other things.
During a news conference at the state Capitol,Abbott announced an executive order that will limit social gatherings to 10 people, prohibit eating and drinking at restaurants and bars while still allowing takeout, close gyms, ban people from visiting nursing homes except for critical care and temporarily close schools. The executive order is effective midnight Friday through midnight April 3, Abbott said.
"We are doing this now today so we can get back to business as usual more quickly," Abbott said.
Fort Worth ISD Asks Students To Reset Passwords
As the Fort Worth school district launches distance learning due to the coronavirus outbreak, it's asking students to reset their online district passwords.
A one-page information sheet guides users through the process step-by-step. It’s onlinehere.
The district says resetting the password will take about 10 minutes but it will help assure security. But users must change the password on a different device than the school district Chrome books. The device can be a desktop computer, another laptop, a smartphone or an iPad. After the password’s reset, users can again access their district-issued Chromebook.
The district’s help desk is 817-814-8378.
Collin County Confirms 18 Positive Cases of COVID-19
Increasing from 13 cases on Wednesday, Collin County had 18 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, according to a daily report from the county.
So far there has been one death, a 64-year-old man in Plano who died in a hospital Tuesday -- he had an underlying medical condition. His positive case was discovered posthumously.
There are currently 74 people under monitoring in Collin County.
Dallas County Reports 20 More Positive COVID-19 Cases
Dallas County's reporting 20 additional positive cases of COVID-19, including one death. The 20 new cases brings the total count in Dallas County to 55.
A man in his 60s died in Richardson. He was found dead in his residence and the county says he did not have a high-risk chronic medical condition.
The medical examiner's office reports that the newly-reported cases include six men and two women in their 30s; two men and two women in their 50s; wo men and three women in their 60s; one woman in her 70s; and one woman in her 90s.
Three people were hospitalized, including one in critical care, and 16 are self-isolating at residences.
Geographic information on the cases:
- Twelve are residents of the city of Dallas
- 3 are residents of Garland
- 2 are residents of Mesquite
- 1 is a resident of Cedar Hill
- 1 is a resident of Farmers Branch
Also, the county says five cases are related to domestic out-of-state travel and two are related to international travel. Three patients are close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case.
However, six people have no source or travel risk factor yet identified, which indicates community transmission. Four other cases are still under investigation.
See the press release (PDF).
Frisco Amends Its Guidelines Following Governor's Declaration
Mayor Jeff Cheney issued a statement Wednesday saying the Frisco City Council wouldn't take action to close restaurants, bars "or any other business, for that matter" as the coronavirus outbreak continues in North Texas.
He said the city's medical director Dr. Mark Gamber said restaurants do not pose any greater risk than grocery or other retail stores.
"We are taking a very measured approach where we process information from all perspectives," Cheney said Wednesday.
But on Thursday, when Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide executive order that bans social gatherings larger than 10 people, Cheneyamended Frisco's public health emergency declaration.
The mayor's statement on Wednesday encouraged residents to practice social distancing and other personal measures, such as hand-washing, cleaning surfaces and self-isolating if sick. The statement also suggested businesses "create an environment where people can feel safe."
"We do not pretend to have all the answers but we are working around the clock to listen to our residents, as well as the people we trust to advise you," Cheney said Wednesday. "Our response could change at any point based on new information."
The mayordeclared a local state of disaster for public health emergency on Monday, along with other North Texas cities.
Read the mayor's full statement.
This entry has been updated to reflect the city amending its declaration following the governor's executive order.
Gov. Abbott To Participate In Statewide TV Town Hall At 7 p.m.
Governor Greg Abbott will join four other state officials Thursday at 7 p.m. for alive virtual town hall. He's expected to discuss the statewide response to the coronavirus outbreak.
A TV broadcast and streaming video — virtual — town hall format was chosen because of the restrictions on large gatherings. The town hall will be staged at KXAN-TV in Austin.
North Texans can watch the town hall on KDAF-TV CW Channel 33, or watch a live streamon the station's website. View other ways to watchhere.
Gov. Abbott will be joined by the following officials:
- John Hellerstedt, Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner
- Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Imelda Garcia, Associate Commissioner of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Services at the Texas Department of State Health Services
- Mike Morath, Texas Education Agency Commissioner
Viewers can submit questions for the town hall on social media using the hashtag #AskAbbott. (View questions already submitted onFacebook and onTwitter.) A few examples of questions from Twitter:
Gov. Abbott To Allow Alcohol Delivery
Gov. Greg Abbott is hoping to help restaurants mitigate the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing them to deliver alcoholic drinks. Wednesday Abbott issued a waiver that will allow restaurants to deliver beer, wine and mixed drinks with food purchases.
Abbott also directed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to waive certain regulations to allow alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to repurchase or sell back unopened products.
"The State of Texas is committed to supporting retailers, restaurants, and their employees," Abbott said in a statement. "These waivers will allow restaurants to provide enhanced delivery options to consumers during this temporary period of social distancing."
Gov, Abbott Announces Temporary Closure Of Driver License Offices
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Offices across the state are closing immediately. The announcement follows Abbott’s order to delay the expiration date for driver licenses, commercial driver licenses and other forms of ID.
In a statement, the governor’s office said the temporary closure will not affect those applying for a Commercial Driver License (CDL) for the first time. The reason for the exception is to allow commercial drivers to continue to ship goods across Texas.
"Our commercial drivers are essential to the consistent flow of goods throughout the state, and we will continue to ensure those seeking an initial CDL can do so," Abbott said. "Closing driver license offices to those not seeking an initial CDL is another step the state is taking to encourage social distancing in our communities."
Though expiration dates have been temporarily suspended, if you need to renew your license or personal identification certificate you should check theDPS website to see if you are eligible to renew online.
Wednesday, March 18
6:04 p.m. - Dallas Municipal Court Shuts Down In-Person Services
The City of Dallas Municipal Court’s in-person services will shut down starting Thursday until further notice.
All trials, hearings and jury duty will be rescheduled. Those with scheduled appearances will be notified by mail with a new date and time.
Defendants are encouraged to resolve their citations using these methods:
- Online: Visittickets.dallascityhall.com to make payments, schedule a court date or apply for a court program.
- Phone: Call 214-670-0109 to pay by phone.
- Mail: Send payments (personal checks or money orders), court date requests or documentation to 2014 Main Street, Dallas, TX, 75201.
5:08 p.m. - Dallas County Judge Tightens Restrictions, Bans Social Groups Of 10 Or More
Dallas County is enforcing a stricter ban on social gatherings and it’s among the strictest in the state.
Judge Clay Jenkins said Wednesday night that so-called recreational gatherings, such as a backyard party or pickup basketball game would be limited to no more than 10 people.
The new restriction will begin 11:59 p.m. Wednesday and continue through at least 11 a.m. on Friday.
Community gatherings, such as weddings, funerals or religious services, will continue to be limited to 50 or fewer people.
But Jenkins said the county is loosening its restrictions on delivery trucks.
“This is trucks going to the warehouse and trucks coming through your neighborhood to go to the grocery store," he said. "Those trucks will be running at any hour to keep our stores and hospitals stocked.”
Another change: Evictions will be suspended for the next 60 days.
More: Dallas County Expands Coronavirus Response
4:41 p.m. - Head Start Of Greater Dallas Closes Indefinitely
To help keep the coronavirus from spreading,Head Start of Greater Dallas has decided to close indefinitely its more than 40 centers.
More than 2,600 children up to the age of 5 and over 2,800 families are served by the agency – most of them are at or below the federal poverty guidelines.
Head Start provides child care, mental health and social services, meals and assistance to prepare kids for Kindergarten.
Dione Banks, Head Start’s director of community development, said the organization is looking for ways to continue their work.
“We do know that the impact is great on the community right now,” Banks said. “We are currently assessing our operations on how to assist in specific areas for our families and provide them with additional resources.”
Head Start students are currently on spring break. Banks said staff would provide families with information about distance learning and be available to help virtually.
4:07 p.m. - Gov. Abbott, TEA Announce Texas Students MealFinder Map
Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced on Wednesday its collaboration with local education agencies to create the Texas Students MealFinder Map, which will help parents find local facilities serving meals.
The online map will launch on Friday, March 20 and be available on theTEA website. It will include the time and location where meals will be served.
"I am grateful for our local education agencies' commitment to their students by providing meals to families as our schools remain temporarily closed," Abbott said. "The State of Texas urges our local partners to complete this application through the Texas Department of Agriculture to ensure accurate, up-to-date information is available for Texas families."
Schools and local education agencies that want to be included on the map canfill out an application on the Texas Department of Agriculture’s website. The map will be updated as more meal sites are added.
Schools can request guidance on how to fill out the application by emailing: SquareMeals@TexasAgriculture.gov.
3:47 p.m. - Fort Worth Mayor Closes Bars, Restaurants
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price announced an updated emergency declaration which includes the banning of gatherings of 50 people or more and the closing of dine-in restaurants, bars, theaters and gyms.
The new restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 19:
- Prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people in a single space, at the same time
- Closes dine-in service at restaurants, micro-breweries, micro-distilleries, and wineries, but allow take-out, drive-in, drive-through, or delivery services to continue
- Closes all bars, lounges, taverns, private clubs, theaters, gyms, and other amusement businesses
- Limits total occupancy to 125 people or 50% of the capacity on the certificate of occupancy, whichever is less
The occupancy limit applies to:
- Event Centers
- Hotel Meeting Spaces and Ballrooms
- Retail Sales and Services
- Convenience Stores
- Plazas
- Places of Worship
- Common areas in Malls
- Each Individual Business in Malls
The occupancy limit does not apply to:
- Grocery Stores
- Government Facilities
- Residential Buildings
- Medical Facilities
- Daycares
- Homeless or Emergency Shelters
- Non-profit service providers
- Airports or other critical infrastructure such as transit facilities
- Manufacturing and Industrial Locations
- Office Buildings
Visit Fort Worth has compiled alist of restaurants that are offering drive-through, take-out and delivery service.
2 p.m. — Gov. Greg Abbott Announces New Testing Capacity, Hospital Preparations, First Tarrant County Death
Governor Greg Abbott announced in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that hospitals across the state are preparing for a rise in cases and that there will be an increase in statewide testing capacity for COVID-19.
“Our testing capabilities have increased dramatically,” Abbott said.
He said the state will be able to administer 15,0000 to 20,000 tests per week by the end of the week. Abbott also said he has been in talks with the CEOs of leading hospitals across the state.
“I was impressed with the number of beds that already exist and the secondary strategies,” he said. Abbott said he was told those secondary strategies include medical tents that can be set up in a day.
Additionally, he said the state could use recently closed hospitals, quick clinics, standalone ERs and other pop-up facilities if needed, which "are equipped to handle this."
He also said standalone motels or hotels could be used for individuals who test positive, but are not in critical condition.
Abbott said there are currently 83 confirmed cases across 23 counties, three deaths and more than 1,900 people who are being monitored for possibly being infected with COVID-19.
“As we see the spread of this across the state of Texas, it is absolutely essential every leader must employ the standards that have been established by the CDC to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus."
Abbot also announced Tarrant County's first death due to the virus.
Patrick James was an elderly man who lived in a cottage at the Texas Masonic Retirement Home in Arlington with his wife. They participated in activities at the cafeteria of the main facility.
James was hospitalized on Thursday, March 12 and died early March 16. The positive tests results were obtained Tuesday, March 17.
He had no known travel or contact with other COVID-19 cases.
1 p.m. — Collin County Reports First COVID-19 Related Death
Collin County health officials announced a 64-year-old man in Plano died in a hospital yesterday from an underlying medical condition and was infected with COVID-19.
The positive case was discovered posthumously and the man was not one of the nine confirmed cases previously announced.
At this time, there are nine confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Collin County and 66 people are being monitored.
12:17 p.m. - Tarrant County Announces New Cases
Tarrant County Public Health announced on Wednesday two additional cases of COVID-19.
One of the patients traveled out of the state and the travel history of the other patient is still pending.
“Both of these cases have been isolated at home after developing symptoms,” Vinny Taneja, Tarrant County Public Health Director, said in a statement.
12:13 p.m. - Fort Worth ISD Launches Learning At Home
The Fort Worth ISD announced students will now have access to content and grade-appropriate online materials for learning at home.
“These are challenging times for us all. Students, although you are not in school right now, you remain our number-one priority,” Jerry Moore, FWISD’s chief academic officer, wrote in a March 18 letter to families and students. “We encourage students and parents to explore the materials we’ve provided.”
The school district launched itsLearning at Home webpage on Wednesday with elementary and secondary resources. Fort Worth ISD plans to share a more detailed curriculum in the future.
» RELATED | Browse theKERA Learn toolkit for helping keep kids educated and engaged at home during the coronavirus outbreak
11:20 a.m. - Gov. Abbott Issues Proclamation Allowing For Postponement Of May Local Elections
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation Wednesday allowing local governments to postpone their May 2, 2020 elections until November 3, 2020.
"I strongly encourage local election officials to take advantage of these waivers and postpone their elections until November," Abbott said in a statement. "Right now, the state's focus is responding to COVID-19 — including social distancing and avoiding large gatherings. By delaying this election, our local election officials can assist in that effort."
In conjunction with suspending parts of the election code to allow for the delay, Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs hasreleased guidance for local governments on the process of postponing their May elections.
Read the Governor's proclamation.
10:40 a.m. - Dallas County Reports 11 Additional Positive COVID-19 Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting 11 additional positive cases of novel coronavirus in the county.
“We will get through this North Texas by following the science and exercising personal responsibility,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement. “You should limit unnecessary trips beyond work and necessities like food and medical care. Every interaction in this outbreak carries some risk of spread. This doesn’t mean you can’t go for walks or runs outside; however, you should maintain six feet social distancing.”
According to a statement from officials, the 11 cases include:
- One individual in their teens, one female in her 20s, one male and one female in their 30s, one male in his 40s, three males and two females in their 50s, and one male in his 70s.
- Three patients were hospitalized, including one in a critical care unit; eight are self-isolating at residences.
- Seven are residents of the city of Dallas, one is a resident of Coppell, one is a resident of Irving, one is a resident of Mesquite, and one is a resident of Richardson.
- One case is related to domestic out-of-state travel and two are related to international travel.
- Three patients are close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case.
- Five have no source or travel risk factor yet identified, and are therefore indicative of community transmission.
- Cases without a source or travel risk factor yet identified (indicating community transmission instead) have been reported from residents of the city of Dallas and Mesquite. Note that these individuals could have acquired the infection in a different city, such as where they work or socialize.
Dallas County has now reported 39 presumptive positive cases. Four of those cases are out of county residents and will not be reflected in the case counts on theDCHHS website.
8:45 a.m. - Dallas Holding Special City Coucil Meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday
Dallas is holding a special COVID-19 City Council meeting at 9 a.m. In a tweet, Mayor Eric Johnson’s office asked that citizens watch the meeting on TV or online instead of showing up in person to maintain social distancing.
You can watch the meeting on Spectrum Cable channel 95 or online atDallasCityNews.Net/Watch-Live.
7:30 a.m. - Abbott To Hold Joint Press Conference In Arlington With Mayor, Tarrant County Judge
Gov. Greg Abbott will hold a press conference today at noon in Arlington. He’ll be joined by Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd.
Abbott’s office said social distancing protocols will be enforced, and everyone will be screened before entering the facility.
Gov. Abbott Waives Some Telemedicine Regulations
Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott waived certain regulations and instituted an emergency rule that will allow COVID-19 related telemedicine visits for patients with state-regulated plans to be paid in the same way as in-office visits for insurance purposes.
“As the State of Texas responds to COVID-19, we continue to work to maintain regular health care services and operations throughout the state, and telemedicine is one of the most valuable tools we have to ensure Texans continue to receive the health services they need,” Abbott said in a statement. “Expanding telemedicine options will help protect the health of patients and health care professionals, while helping Texas mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
According to the statement, doctors will be eligible for payment from insurance plans regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance for medical visits conducted over the phone instead of in-person at the same rate they would receive for in-person visits.
Mayor Eric Johnson Creates Two Committees To Address COVID-19 Recovery Efforts
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has created two new committees that will recommend strategies to help the city mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and recover from effects of the disease's spread.
He announced Wednesday the creation of the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Assistance and the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Human and Social Recovery and Assistance.
“As policymakers, we must rise to meet the unprecedented challenges presented by COVID-19’s spread,” Johnson said in a statement. “These committees will enable the Dallas City Council to consider concrete steps that will help mitigate any negative effects of our painful but necessary emergency measures on our economy and our society. Additionally, our City Councilmembers will work through these committees to start preparing now for Dallas’ recovery.”
Each committee will have seven members and two co-chairs.
Tuesday, March 17
Tarrant County Announces Its First COVID-19 Death
A Tarrant County senior citizen who died Sunday tested positive for COVID-19, health officials said.
Tarrant County Public Health says the person was a resident of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center in Arlington.
“Information about the person’s residence is being released because the facility provides housing to retired persons and senior citizens who are most vulnerable to the effects of severe illnesses,” a county news release said.
Tarrant County is investigating the source of the infection and determining who might have come into contact with the patient while he was ill.
Fort Worth To Impose Stricter Social Distancing Rules
In Fort Worth, restaurants and bars will no longer be serving dine-in customers.
Mayor Betsy Price says that on Wednesday, bars and restaurants will only be allowed to fill takeout or delivery orders. That follows stricter social distancing protocols announced Monday for public places.
In a Facebook video, Price stressed that people should limit trips to shops, malls and any other public places, and maintain a six-foot distance from others when venturing out.
“I was at the grocery store today and I was doing pickup,” Price said. “I ordered my groceries online and picked them up today, but I was shocked by how many people were going in and out for just one or two items, but particularly the elderly folks.”
Price urged people to offer to do grocery shopping for older neighbors and people with compromised immune systems, who are at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19.
Dallas ISD Student Tests Positive For COVID-19
The Dallas school district said it has its first confirmed case of COVID-19 — a middle school student.
The student, who attends J.L. Long Middle School, was seen by the school nurse Friday and sent home. The district said the student is at home and is "doing well." The student did not have symptoms prior to Friday, Dallas ISD said.
Dallas County health officials told the district they've "determined the student did not get sick at school" and attended two classes before visiting the nurse. Health officials were working to trace the people the student was in contact with that day.
A letter went out to the middle school community to inform them of the matter.
Dallas County Judge Urges Governor To Impose Statewide Ban
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is urging Gov. Greg Abbott to implement a statewide ban similar to Dallas' on gyms, bars, restaurants and theaters.
Jenkinstalked with WFAA-TV.
“I mean this with the utmost respect. There are no easy decisions left in this fight, but this is a decision he’s uniquely in a place to lead on and we need him to do it," Jenkins told WFAA.
Dallas County says of the nine additional cases of COVID-19 announced Tuesday, three of the patients have been hosptalized and were in critical condition. And some of the new cases are people in their 20s and 30s.
“This disease is nothing to play with no matter what your age is,” Jenkins told the TV station.
Dallas ISD Announces Employees Will Receive Regular Pay, School Locations For Meals
The Dallas school district announced on Tuesday that all of its active employees will receive their regular paychecks “with no deductions on their paid time off” during school closures.
The district also announced the cancellation of all bond community meetings and bond-related events the week of March 23.
According to the news release, comprehensive middle school and high schools will provide grab-and-go meals on Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at school entrances.
On Monday and Thursday, students will be provided with three days of breakfast and lunch.
All students qualify, but must accompany parents to pick up meals. Families can pick up meals from their cars at most locations.
Here is thelist of school locations where meals will be provided.
Over Spring Break, all students through age 18 are also being offered grab-and-go meals at20 Dallas ISD schools.
5:20 p.m. - City Of Dallas Closes Playgrounds, Golf Courses and Tennis Courts
The city of Dallas announced that it would close down playgrounds, golf courses and tennis centers “out of an abundance of caution” starting Tuesday at 9 p.m.
Open air parks and trails will remain open, though the city advises citizens to practice social distancing.
4:29 p.m. - Charter School Closes
ILTexas, a local public charter school with many campuses in North Texas, announces it is closing all 19 campuses indefinitely to mitigate COVID-19. According to the superintendent Eddie Conger, students will not be returning to campuses. Instead, the district will be offering virtual classrooms and online learning.
3:49 p.m. - Denton County, East Texas Announce New Cases
Denton County Public Health announced on Tuesday a second positive case of COVID-19.
The patient is in her 50s and resides in Prosper, where she is currently in home isolation. She recently traveled, according to a press release.
“This morning’s newest disaster declaration and executive order provide recommendations to limit the spread of disease,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said in a statement. “Even more so now, with a second positive case within Denton County, we stress the importance of heeding these recommendations.”
In East Texas, Smith County announced its fifth confirmed case of coronavirus on Tuesday. The patient had direct exposure to a known case in the county, according to theNortheast Texas Public Health District.
3:03 p.m. - Dallas County Officials Work To Open Two New Testing Sites
Elected officials in North Texas said on Tuesday that they are working to open sites so residents can be tested for COVID-19.
In a telephone town hall held Tuesday morning, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said they plan to open a site at the American Airlines Center in Dallas and one in Grand Prairie.
"They'll have the capacity to test 2,500 people at each test site per week, so 5,000 tests a week, that will be focused on people with underlying conditions, and over 65,” he said. “But we need the federal government to release the tests to us, and to work with us on that.”
Democratic Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who represents Dallas, took part in the town hall.
"This country was late in getting instructions from the leadership of the nation,” Johnson said. “Many of the research areas that could have been put into action right away had been dismantled by the lack of funding, that's all revved up now and we're trying to get as much information as we can.”
Both the city of Dallas and Dallas County are prohibiting gatherings of 50 people or more. Bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues, restaurants and gyms are closed to the public. Restaurants can offer take-out, delivery and drive-through service.
Cedar Hill ISD Approves Pay For All District Employees
The Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved pay for all 900 plus of the district’s employees while schools are indefinitely closed.
“I applaud the Board for approving this resolution,” Dr. Gerald Hudson, Cedar Hill ISD superintendent, said. “This will allow us to ensure all of our employees receive a paycheck to take care of their families.”
Cedar Hill ISD Board President Cheryl Wesley said the decision was a simple one made with the District’s employees’ well-being in mind.
“With the Coronavirus Pandemic affecting our employees in several ways, the resolution that the Board approved tonight ensures that this is one less concern that our teachers and staff need to have during this time,” she said.
2:17 p.m. - Tarrant County Commissioners Extend Emergency Declaration
At an emergency meeting on Tuesday, Tarrant County Commissioners extended the emergency declaration of disaster for an additional 90 days.
The county reported its sixth case of COVID-19 on Tuesday morning, which is also its first case of local transmission.
Public health director Vinny Taneja said recent measures being enacted like limiting the size of public gatherings are precautionary rather than reactionary.
"We have to really be methodical and thoughtful,” Taneja said. “You don't just react to the situation, you think it through and make the right decisions for your community."
He urged North Texans to follow guidance from public health officials and continue social distancing.
12:37 p.m. - Gov. Abbott Activates The Texas National Guard
Governor Greg Abbott activated the Texas National Guard on Tuesday to assist with the state’s coronavirus response.
Healthcare workers and first responders who are members of the Texas National Guard will be excluded from the activation so that they continue working in their respective fields.
"By activating the Texas National Guard, we are ensuring Texas is prepared as we continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," Gov. Abbott said in a statement. "I am grateful to the men and women of the National Guard for their dedication to serving their fellow Texans, and want to assure the public that this is a precautionary measure to make sure the Texas National Guard has the capability to serve at a moment's notice where they are needed most."
McKinney Updates Disaster Declaration For Restaurants
The city of McKinney updated its local disaster declaration for restaurants.
From today until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, all restaurants and bars must limit dine-in customers to 50% of the capacity allowed under the Certificate of Occupancy. Restaurants will also be required to provide a space of at least six feet between dining parties.
All dine-in service restaurants and bars must be closed from March 20 until 11:59 p.m. on March 23. On March 24, the McKinney City Council will then be asked to continue restrictions until March 31.
12:30 p.m. - TxDOT Takes Precautions Amid The Coronavirus
The Texas Department of Public Transportation announced on Tuesday that it is taking steps to protect the public and TxDOT employees from the coronavirus, including canceling in-person gatherings, requiring in-office employees to work from home and closing down information centers.
TxDOT announced it is postponing or canceling in-person public hearings and gatherings until April 3, excluding the Texas Transportation Commission meeting on March 26 that will be addressed separately. TxDOT said in a statement that it will look to offer virtual options for public input in the future.
All office-based TxDOT employees are being required to work from home starting March 16.
The department also announced the closing of its 12 Travel Information Centers, although outside restrooms will remain open and be cleaned between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Highway safety rest areas through the state will also remain open for drivers.
TxDOT has also begun to share safety messages on digital highway signs across Texas to encourage drivers to take precautions against the coronavirus.
Travelers can reach center counselors about road conditions or travel information from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 1-800-452-9292 or visitdrivetexas.org to obtain road condition information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Visit the Texas Department of State Health Services’COVID-19 website for the most up to date information and guidance from state health officials.
11:40 a.m. - Dallas County Announces Nine Additional COVID-19 Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting nine additional positive cases of COVID-19 in the county. Five of the cases involve people who may have contracted it locally.
“As we have warned you, the testing data is well behind the situation on the ground. Today, we have five new cases of likely community spread,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement. “It is imperative that you exercise sound decision making in your personal responsibility decisions.”
With the new cases, the county's now reported 28 presumptive positive cases.
In a statement, DCHHS said the nine new cases include:
-Two women in their 20s, one man in his 30s, one man and one woman in their 40s, two women in their 50s, one man in his 60s and one woman in her 70s.
-Five patients are hospitalized, including 3 in critical care units; 4 are self-isolating at residences.
-Eight cases are residents of the city of Dallas and one is a resident of the city of Irving.
-One case is related to international travel.
-Three patients are close contacts of a confirmed COVID case.
-Five have no source or travel risk factor yet identified, and are therefore likely from local community spread.
Texas Reports 1st Coronavirus Death
A man who tested positive for COVID-19 has died, becoming Texas’ first coronavirus-related death, officials said late Monday while also confirming a second case.
The Matagorda County Emergency Operation Center said in a news release that a male patient in his late 90s died Sunday evening at Matagorda Regional Medical Center with symptoms consistent with the virus. The patient was a resident of the county.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family,” the statement said.
The Houston Department of Health and Human Services notified hospital officials of a positive COVID-19 test result at 6:15pm on Monday, the release said.
Officials said the state has launched an extensive investigation into this second positive case, informing the Matagorda County Hospital District that evidence exists of a possible community link to the earlier positive case in Matagorda County.
Read the full story from the Associated Press.
Tarrant County Reports First Local COVID-19 Transmission
Tarrant County has announced its sixth positive case of COVID-19 – and the county’s first presumed local transmission.
Tarrant County Public Health says the Grand Prairie resident contracted the virus in Tarrant County. The resident had no recent travel history and had no known exposure to a confirmed case. The person is staying at home.
Public health officials remind people to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; cover coughs or sneezes with tissues or your sleeve.
Gov. Abbott Postpones Special Texas Senate Election
The election for the Austin area's Texas Senate District 14 to replace retiring state Sen. Kirk Watson, an Austin Democrat leaving office at the end of April, has been moved to July 14, Gov. Greg Abbott has announced. It was originally secheduled for May 2.
Abbott's office said postponing the election "is another step the state is taking to protect health and mitigate the spread of COVID-19," noting that it was consulting with the Texas Secretary of State's office "on additional strategies to ensure public health in relation to any upcoming election."
It's unclear whether additional action will be taken to delay municipal elections across the state, which are also slated for May 2.
Read the full story from The Texas Tribune.
More School Districts Close Indefinitely
More North Texas school districts are extending their closures.
Cedar Hill ISD Superintendent Gerald Hudson announced Monday that the district will be closed indefinitely due to COVID-19.
“The safety of our scholars and staff are of the utmost importance during this challenging time,” Hudson said. “We will continue to work closely with federal, state and local officials as we continue to assess and reassess the situation.”
DeSoto ISD is also closing.
"While our classrooms are empty, our work on behalf of children continues,"the district said in a statement. "We have activated at-home learning, our teachers are prepared to begin distance instruction, and Chartwells, DeSoto ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services provider, will distribute meals at select campus locations. These sites will become central locations for family and student resource distribution in the coming weeks."
The districts join others, including Dallas and Richardson ISD, that are closing indefinitely. Highland Park ISD says it will close schools indefinitely and plans to reassess by April 5. Garland ISD says it will remain closed through April 3.
Uplift Education's free public charter schools in North Texas are also closing. The school said in a statement they're offering breakfast and lunch pick up at five locations, and have campus social counselors available to support students.
Fort Worth ISD Adds Meal Pick Up Locations And Will Serve Breakfast for Children
Fort Worth ISD is now providing meals at Como Montessori School and Polytechnic High School in addition to the eight original school locations they announced would provide meals Friday. Lunch at Como Montessori will begin on Wednesday. Lunch at Poly High will begin on Tuesday.
Breakfast will be served at all locations beginning Wednesday, but the district said in a statement that breakfast is intended for consumption the following morning.
Parents can't pickup meals without their children being present, but unaccompanied hildren will be issued meals.
Here are all the locations providing meals and their hours:
>>Springdale Elementary School - 3207 Hollis St. Fort Worth - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
>>Manual Jara Elementary School - 2100 Lincoln Ave., Fort Worth - Noon to 1:30 p.m.
>>Western Hills Elementary School - 2805Laedo Dr., Fort Worth - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
>>Hubbard Heights Elementary School - 1333 W. Spurgeon St., Fort Worth - Noon to 1:30 p.m.
>>Paul L. Dunbar High School - 5700 Ramey Ave., Fort Worth - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
>>Eastern Hills High School - 5701 Shelton St., Fort Worth - Noon to 1:30 p.m.
>>Clifford Davis Elementary School - 4300 Campus Dr. Fort Worth - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
>>De Zavala Elementary School - 1419 College Ave, Fort Worth - Noon to 1:30 p.m.
>>Como Montessori School - 4001 Littlepage, Fort Worth - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
>>Polytechnic High School - 1300 Conner Ave., Fort Worth - Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Monday, March 16
7:25 p.m.: — Fort Worth Tightens Social Distancing Measures
The city of Fort Worth is tightening social distancing measures. Starting at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, most public places in the city will be limited to half of the maximum occupancy of the venue -- and no more than 125 people will be allowed to gather in one place.
The rules apply to restaurants, bars and coffee shops, as well as plazas, event centers and public buildings. Also included: gyms, theaters, houses of worship, malls and shopping centers. The rules apply to convenience and retail stores, but not to grocery stores.
Fort Worth health director Brandon Bennett discussed the rules on a Facebook video.
“We are doing these measures to protect our residents from both illness and from loss of life,” he said. “These are not draconian; these are very reasonable things that we see happening across the nation.”
The declaration authorizes all lawfully available enforcement tools be used to make sure the new limits are being followed.
6:05 p.m. — Dallas and Richardson ISD To Close Indefinitely
Dallas and Richardson ISD have announced they will close indefinitely. The Dallas district said it is "activating at-home learning" and will continue providing meals at select schools.
Richardson ISD announced students will be able to continue lessons at home via school-issued devices starting on Wednesday, March 25.
The Richardson district is still working on a plan to provide students with meals during the closure.
Learn more here from Dallas ISD.
Highland Park ISD says it will close schools indefinitely starting March 23 and plans to reassess by April 5. Garland ISD says it will remain closed through April 3.
5:03 p.m. — Dallas Announces New Restrictions, Shutdown Of Several Local Businesses
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson announced new coronavirus restrictions, including the shutdown of restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and the banning of gatherings of 50 people or more. They go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday.
Johnson called the decision “gut-wrenching," saying that he understands the economic impact the closures will have on local businesses.
“I lost a lot of sleep over this,” he said. “We’re only doing this because we genuinely believe it’s going to save lives and flatten the curve of this pandemic.”
The new restrictions include:
- Public or private gatherings of 50 people or more will be prohibited.
- Dine-in service will not be allowed in restaurants.
- Entertainment and amusement establishments (gyms, amusement parks, theaters, bars, clubs, etc.) will be closed.
Minutes later, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced similar restrictions throughout Dallas County. He emphasized the importance of early action in preventing the spread of the virus.
"We’re at a place where we’re seeing rapid multiplying,” he said.
City officials say the new restrictions will be enforced by the Code Enforcement Department and the Dallas Police Department, when deemed necessary. Jenkins said the fine for businesses that fail to comply is $2,500 and the jail sentence could be up to six months.
Johnson said there will be a City Council meeting on Wednesday to discuss ways to mitigate the economic impact on local businesses.
“I understand the pain that this decision is going to cause,” he said.
4:31 p.m. — McKinney And Other Cities Announce Public Health Emergency
The city of McKinney announced a local state of disaster on Monday, following similar declarations from Collin County and other nearby cities including Frisco, Plano and Allen.
“I am convinced that the risks of underreacting are so much greater than the risks of overreacting, and although we hope for the best, we must be prudent and plan for the worst,” Mayor George Fuller said. “It is going to take all of us, working together, to ensure that we put the health and safety of our community above all else, and I have no doubt that is what we will do.
1:39 p.m. — Dallas, Tarrant Counties Announce New Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services announced five additional cases of COVID-19 on Monday.
The five patients include a man in his 40’s, a man in his 50’s, a man in his 60’s, a man in his 70’s and a woman in her 50’s.
All the patients are self-isolating at residences and are not hospitalized.
Three of the patients are residents of the city of Dallas, one is a resident of the city of Farmers Branch and one resides out-of-state.
One of the cases is likely linked to community spread and the other four cases are related to domestic out-of-state travel.
“Significantly, there’s another likely case of community spread among the five cases we are reporting today,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said. “I am in consultation with the mayors of the cities in Dallas County and our state and federal partners. We will be announcing additional measures to keep you safe soon.”
Dallas County now has 19 presumptive positive cases. However, four of those cases are out of county residents and will not be reflected in the case counts posted on the DCHHS website.
Meanwhile, Tarrant County on Monday announced its fifth COVID-19 case. Health officials say the resident contracted the virus on an out-of-state trip, developed symptoms after returning home and later tested positive for COVID-19.
12:29 p.m. — Collin County Issues A Disaster Declaration
Collin County Judge Chris Hill issued a disaster declaration over the coronavirus on Monday morning.
In the declaration, Hill cited President Trump’s national emergency declaration and Gov. Greg Abbott’s disaster declaration over the coronavirus.
“Declaring a state of disaster in Collin County will facilitate and expedite the procurement, use, and deployment of resources to enhance preparedness and response,” according to the declaration.
10:36 a.m. — Texas Waives STAAR Testing Requirements
Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday that he would waive the STAAR testing requirements as many schools anticipate months-long closures due to the spread of coronavirus.
Abbott also said he would ask the Department of Education to waive federal testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year.
“Your health and safety are top priorities, and the state of Texas will give school districts flexibility to protect and ensure the health of students, faculty, and their families,” Abbott said in a press release. “We will empower schools to make the best decisions to protect their communities from COVID-19.”
According to The Texas Tribune, as of Sunday afternoon, 569 school districts in the state had announced closures due to the coronavirus. Additionally, more than 30 other states have closed schools, affecting at least 30 million public school students.
Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Will Start In North Texas Today
Catalyst Health Network, a North Texas-based group of primary care physicians, isopening its first drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility on Monday.
Testing must be ordered by a physician and is being prioritized for specific groups. The test is currently unavailable for those who don’t have symptoms.
Parkland Hospital will also begin limited drive-thru testing today. The service will be available by appointment and is only being offered to current Parkland patients, though the hospital hopes to expand its capacity in the future.
Parkland patients can reach the hospital's COVID-19 Patient Line at 214-590-8060.
Children’s Health Announces Visitor Restrictions In Response To COVID-19
Children’s Health announced it is implementing visitor restrictions at all of its facilities in an effort to limit exposure to its patients.
On theirwebsite, Children’s Health listed their visitation protocols:
- Visitation is limited to two caregivers 18 and older
- Visitor restrictions apply to common patient areas, playrooms, food service locations, lobbies and waiting areas
- Caregivers who have fevers or respiratory symptoms will not be allowed inside facilities
- Daily screenings will be required of any caregivers entering any of Children’s Health hospitals or facilities
- Visitors will be required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after entering a patient room
CDC Advises Against Gatherings Of 50 People Or More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the cancellation or postponement of large gatherings with 50 people or more.
“This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus,” according to theCDC’s website.
Large gatherings and events include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings and other assemblies, according to the CDC.
The guidance does not apply to schools, higher learning institutions or businesses.
The CDC website says gatherings of any size should only proceed if they can be carried out while adhering to the proper guidelines for “protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.”
8:57 a.m. — Dallas County Cancels All Jury Trials
Dallas County announced that it is canceling all jury trials for Dallas County Criminal Courts, Civil Court and Justice of the Peace Courts through May 8.
Citizens of Dallas County who have been summoned to the Frank Crowley Criminal Courthouse, the George Allen Civil Courthouse or a Justice of the Peace Court before May 8 are not to reschedule, according to a press release.
“We are taking the necessary steps to continue the justice system and keep you safe,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said. “I will extend these orders if necessary.”
The city is also asking attorneys who are representing those accused of crimes to reach out to the Court Managers Office about how to continue representing their clients.
Jail cases, jail pleas and bond hearings will proceed as usual. In-person disposition of bond cases will resume on May 11 and appearances for bond cases will be waived until May 8.
According to the press release, cases can be reset by calling or emailing the appropriate Court Coordinator. Some courts can be accessed through Skype as a dispositive setting for jail and bond cases, but citizens are instructed to check with each individual court to determine what options are available.
