This week, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Texas reached over 2,000.
Get the latest news from our COVID-19 Live Updates page.
Saturday, March 28
5 p.m. - Gov. Abbott Waives Certain Licensing Regulations For Pharmacists, Technicians
Gov. Greg Abbott has waived certain licensing renewal regulations for Texas pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and technicians in training. With these waivers, temporarily extending expiration dates for licenses and suspending continuing education requirements.
"As our state responds to COVID-19, it is important that Texans continue to have access to the services they depend on to meet their daily needs," Abbott said in a statement. "With these waivers, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can continue to meet the needs of their fellow Texans without potential delays caused by an expired license."
4:10 p.m. - Denton County Reports 11 New Cases, 2nd Death
Denton County Public Health (DCPH) is reporting the second COVID-19 related death in the county. According to a statement, the patient, a male from Aubrey in his 60s, was previously reported hospitalized. He contracted the disease through local transmission.
“We are saddened to report a second COVID-19 death within our county,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said. “To his family, we continue to send our thoughts and prayers to you as you navigate through this difficult time.”
DCPH is also reporting 11 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, including one resident of the Denton State Supported Living Center (DSSLC). This increases the countywide total to 148 confirmed COVID-19 cases and the DSSLC resident total to 40.
3:15 p.m. - FW-Based Lena Pope Launches Hotline To Help Parents Cope With Challenges Of Stay-At-Home Orders
Fort Worth-based child services organization Lena Pope launched a hotline to help parents and caregivers who are struggling with emotional, mental health or behavioral challenges that are being exacerbated by recent stay-at-home orders. Thehotline is staffed by mental and behavioral health professionals on weekdays.
Called the Stay Strong Hotline, the launch comes as officials are seeing a spike in child abuse and domestic violence cases brought on by increased stress and enforced closeness of stay-at-home orders.
“The ‘stay home’ mandate is designed to protect our physical health and the well-being of our community,” said Dr. Ashley Elgin, CEO of Lena Pope, in a statement. “Unfortunately, long-term social distancing that’s necessary to flatten the curve of coronavirus in our community can have an adverse psychological affect by creating or exacerbating family stressors. We created the helpline to help families stay strong while staying home.”
Last week, Cook Children’s Hospital said that it had admitted seven children suffering injuries from severe abuse over the course of a week, two of whom had died from their injuries.
"We usually only average six deaths from abuse a year at Cook Children's and now we've had two children die on the same day," said Jamye Coffman, medical director of the Cook Children’s Center for Prevention and Child Abuse and Neglect and the hospital’sCARE team, in a hospital blog post. "This is an issue related to stress. We are seeing it from all over from urban area to more rural counties."
Lena Pope’s Stay Strong helpline number is 817-806-9920, and the center’s mental and behavioral health professionals will take calls from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Childhelp.org also offers a resource for parents and children.
Suspected child abuse or neglect can be reported by contacting the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or through the TDFPSwebsite. The Texas Abuse Hotline is 1-800-252-5400.
1:55 p.m - Dallas County Reports 72 New COVID-19 Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting 72 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 439. Officials are also reporting two additional deaths: a DeSoto man in his 50s and a Dallas man in his 70s.
According to a statement from officials, both men had been critically ill in local hospitals. Hospitalizations from COVID-19 are increasing, with 36% of all hospitalized patients requiring admission to intensive care units.
“One of today’s deaths is a man in his 50s with no known underlying conditions. This serves as a sober reminder that COVID-19 is a dangerous disease for everyone and is why it’s so important that we all need to stay home to stay safe,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement. “I am so proud of the work of our first responders, health heroes and our executive teams, but I’m also proud of the spirit of community that we are seeing through North Texas. Together, we’ll #FlattenTheCurve.”
12 p.m. - Texas Temporarily Waives Renewal Requirements for Medicaid, SNAP
Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today SNAP and Medicaid benefit renewals currently up for renewal will automatically be renewed in an effort to help people maintain coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this difficult time, we’re making sure Texans in need continue to receive their food and medical benefits without the added worry of having to renew their coverage in the midst of a crisis,” HHS Deputy Executive Commissioner for Access and Eligibility Services, Wayne Salter, said in a statement.
The state is also waiving interview requirements for families applying for SNAP. That way people don’t have to come into an office or call officials about their application or renewal, and HHS can make eligibility determinations faster.
9 a.m. - Texas Tops 2,000 COVID-19 Cases
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Texas topped 2,000 Saturday morning, according to numbers from the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. More than 700 of those cases are in North Texas. There have been at least 26 deaths related to the disease in the state.
As part of the state’s ongoing response to the pandemic, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday he’s deploying three National Guard Joint Task Force Brigades throughout the state. They’ll focus on boosting the number of drive-through testing centers and finding locations that can be converted into healthcare facilities.
Friday, March 27
7:25 p.m. - Collin County Reports 32 New Cases
Collin County officials are reporting 32 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 118.
See a breakdown the new cases by city and town here.
4:15 p.m. - 54 New Cases in Denton County, 31 From Denton State Supported Living Center
Denton County Public Health (DCPH) is reporting 54 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, increasing the countywide total to 137 cases. This includes 31 new cases from Denton State Supported Living Center (DSSLC) and brings the cumulative total at that facility to 39.
Two DSSLC staff members have tested positive, but one is not included in Denton County totals since they live in a different county.
“Community spread is being seen throughout Denton County now and we continue to stress the importance of physical distancing,” DCPH Director Dr. Matt Richardson said in a statement. “With incubation and transmission timelines, we still expect to see cases continue to rise while community members stay home; however, we hope those numbers begin to flatten within the coming weeks.”
Read the latest press release from the county.
3:30 p.m. - Gov. Abbott To Deploy National Guard in Support of COVID-19 Response
As part of the state’s ongoing response to COVID-19, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday he’s deploying three National Guard Joint Task Force Brigades throughout the state.
"Whether it’s overseas combat, major storms, or deadly viruses, the Texas National Guard is always quick to defend and serve their fellow Texans," Abbott said in a statement. "Texans can be grateful that these troops are now standing their post alongside healthcare professionals and first responders on the front lines of this crisis."
Abbott has ordered the service men and women to focus on assisting at drive-through testing sites and on bolstering the state’s health care infrastructure.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, guard members have practiced erecting and running drive-thru testing sites, and are working with state, local and national partners to identify locations that can be converted to healthcare facilities.
"We are citizen soldiers and we find our highest calling in serving our fellow citizens, no matter where duty calls us," Major General Tracy R. Norris, the adjutant general of Texas and commander of the Texas National Guard, said in a statement. "This will be no easy task but we have faced difficult times before. With the commitment of our soldiers and support of the community we will show the world that we are Texas strong and Texas proud, and together we will overcome this challenge."
Abbott also stressed that these tasks will not diminish the Guard’s ability to meet operational commitments, including the Texas border mission and overseas deployments.
12:48 p.m. - Dallas County Reports New Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 64 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count to 367.
11:08 a.m. - American Airlines, Southwest CEO’s Address Economic-Rescue Bill
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker says the company is eligible for roughly $12 billion of the $50 billion in grants and loans for passenger airlines under the economic-rescue bill.
In a video to employees, Parker said some of grant terms aren't clear yet and he is unsure whether the airlines will meet the conditions, including that airlines not furlough or lay off workers until Sept. 30.
Parker said flight cuts will mean "many groups of employees" will work a minimum number of hours "for the next few months." American plans to operate at about 40% of capacity in April and only 20% in May because of the decline in travel. Parker said current flights are on average less than 15% full.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly says the company is losing big money on every single flight. However, Kelly said in a company video that grants from the economic-rescue bill make the company more confident it'll avoid layoffs.
9:22 a.m. - National Guard Helps With Coronavirus Outbreak In Dallas County
Dallas County residents may begin seeing military vans in the county.
County Judge Clay Jenkins said don't be alarmed. It's only health care workers from the National Guard.
"They will be going door to door in neighborhoods doing contact tracing," Jenkins told reporters. "In other words, if a person gets sick and they were around other people, then we have to do disease detective work."
Thursday, March 26
Gov. Abbott Issues Executive Order Quarantining Some Out-Of-State Travelers
In a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced an executive order requiring travelers from New Jersey, New York, New Orleans or Connecticut to quarantine themselves upon arriving in Texas.
Travelers from these states must remain in quarantine for at least 14 days or the duration of their trip, whichever is shorter.
Arlington ISD Closed Indefinitely
Arlington Independent School District announced Wednesday schools will be closed indefinitely in response to COVID-19.
The district has begun a student meal program providing breakfast and lunch weekdays for students at 23 locations. They’ve also launched the At-Home Learning Hub, an online learning program to keep students engaged.
Denton County Reports 1st COVID-19 Related Death & 13 Additional Cases
Denton County Public Health (DCPH) is reporting the first COVID-19 related death in the county. The patient was a man in his 40s from Lewisville who was hospitalized in Denton County. Officials said in a statement he was the county’s first case of community transmitted COVID-19.
“Today, as we announce the first death related to COVID-19, we want to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said in a statement. “I also want to firmly reiterate the importance of heeding the mandatory stay-at-home order Denton County issued this week. We need everyone to heed these orders and stay home. This virus spreads easily and can lead to severe symptoms and death.
DCPH also announced 13 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. This increases the countywide total to 83 cases.
1:20 p.m. - Fort Worth Public Health Emergency In Place Until April 7
The city of Fort Worth's public health declaration will be in place until April 7.
The Fort Worth Police Department put out a statement on Thursday correcting “numerous and false claims” that the department is enforcing the city’s stay-at-home declaration by pulling drivers over and asking for documentation.
“The department is not and will not enforce these types of traffic stops,” the statement said. “If an officer makes a traffic stop, it will be for an observed traffic violation or for investigation of another criminal offense.”
Correction: This post has been updated to reflect the correct date Fort Worth's public health declaration is currently set to expire. That date is April 7.
Sheltering In Place? Try Some Virtual North Texas Arts And Entertainment
If you’ve been bingeing on Netflix and Amazon Prime, you might want to take a sec to appreciate how artists — actors, directors, writers, costume designers, cinematographers — have been helping you get through this current crisis.
So here’s our partial (let’s call it curated) list of North Texas artists, arts organizations, parks, bookstores and music performances you can access via the web.
Read more on Art&Seek.
11:52 a.m. - North Texas Counties Announce New Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 56 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count in the county to 303 with 7 total deaths. Collin County reported 13 new cases to make a total case count of 66 and Tarrant County announced 10 new cases for a total case count of 100.
The seventh death in Dallas is a woman in her 90’s who was a resident of the county. She was critically ill in the hospital and did not have other high-risk chronic health conditions.
Almost two-thirds or 67% of cases that have required hospitalization to date have been over the age of 60 or have had a known high-risk chronic health condition, according to Dallas County’s website.
USDA Loosens Requirements So Texas Schools Can Continue To Provide Student Meals
The Texas Department of Agriculture announced the USDA approved waivers that will enable Texas schools to continue providing meals to children, including a change that will allow parents to pick up meals without their child present.
Federal law previously required a child to be present in order for a parent to grab a meal. But now with shelter-in-place and social distancing regulations, children can stay at home and avoid the “unnecessary risk” of visiting feeding sites.
"This will bring a huge sigh of relief for Texas parents," said Sid Miller, the agriculture commissioner at the Texas Department of Agriculture. "We didn't want federal guidelines to put children at risk, or add any more burdens to their parents.”
Another waiver will allow schools to provide meals that might not fulfill the requirement that each meal include the components of dairy, grain, protein, and fruit or vegetable.
"Normally, these regulations are in place to make sure children get the best, most healthy meal possible,” Miller said. “But as schools and families struggle to adjust to this COVID-19 crisis, we will do all we can to make sure these kids get fed no matter what."
Wednesday, March 25
More Dallas County Jail Inmates Test Positive
Five inmates at the Dallas County Jail have now tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
That news came late Wednesday, hours after Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown announced the jail’s first positive case -- a man in his 40s, who’d been in custody since December. That means he likely contracted the disease from another person in the jail.
Fifty-one people were locked in the same housing unit – four who showed symptoms of COVID-19 were quarantined and later tested positive. Others are now being tested.
-- Christopher Connelly
7:15 p.m. - McKinney Issues Shelter In Place Order, Closes Nonessential Businesses
The City of McKinney has issued a shelter-in-place order for residents and closed nonessential businesses.
According to the declaration that goes into effect at midnight Thursday, residents should largely stay at home and follow social distancing guidelines if they go outside. Residents may leave home for essential activities, like buying groceries or medicine, to perform essential government functions or to operate essential businesses.
The order also requires nonessential businesses to close temporarily. Businesses not listed in the order as essential must close to the public, and residents working for a nonessential business are required to stay home and not travel to their place of employment.
“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,” McKinney Mayor George Fuller said in a statement. “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.”
6:15 p.m. - 3 SMU Students Test Positive
Southern Methodist University announced Wednesday afternoon that three students have tested positive for COVID-19.
SMU says the students were tested after leaving campus for spring break and are no longer on campus.
A graduate student attended one class on March 11 after returning from an international study trip — the student tested positive at a local hospital four days later, according to an email to the campus community from SMU President R. Gerald Turner. He says the university is working to inform people most likely to have been in close proximity to the students.
--Ana Perez
5:15 p.m. - Denton County Confirms 19 New Coronavirus Cases
Wednesday afternoon Denton County Public Health confirmed 19 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number in the county to 70.
Included in the new cases is one additional resident at the Denton State Supported Living Center. A woman in her 50s has been hospitalized. Several residents at the center have now tested positive for COVID-19.
According to information released by county officials, 33 of those diagnosed in Denton County contracted the disease through local transmission. The remaining cases are mostly related to recent travel.
2:30 p.m. - President Trump Approves Texas Disaster Declaration
President Donald Trump approved the Texas disaster declaration, ordering federal assistance to support local COVID-19 recovery efforts.
The move means federal funding is now available for crisis counseling in the state and emergency protective measures in the state, local governments and some private nonprofits.
Gov. Greg Abbott requested the declaration approval —citing the need for additional federal assistance to protect lives and property during the coronavirus outbreak.
--Justin Martin
1:52 p.m. - Dallas Police Officers Will Not Stop Residents For Shelter-In-Place Ordinance
The Dallas Police Department announced residents will not be stopped and asked for their ID or documentation "without other legitimate reasons for the stop."
DPD said in a press release that it is focused on educating the public about the ordinance. Officers will inform residents of the shelter-in-place regulations and ask them to voluntarily leave areas.
1:08 p.m. - American Airlines, Southwest Cancel More Flights
Starting Friday, Southwest Airlines will cancel more of its flights. The Dallas-based carrier says it will cut around 1,500 of its almost 4,000 daily flights through mid-April -- that's nearly 40 percent of its schedule.
Southwest had previously announced it was reducing capacity by at least 20 percent from mid-April through early June.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines recently said it anticipates reducing April's domestic capacity by 20 percent. American will be reducing its international capacity by 75 percent through early May. It will continue to operate one flight daily from DFW International Airport to London and three flights per week from DFW to Tokyo.
--Galilee Abdullah
11:43 a.m. - North Texas Counties Report New Case Counts
On Wednesday, Dallas County reported 78 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total to 247. An additional death has raised the total to six deaths in Dallas County. Tarrant County reported 90 cases total and Collin County reported 53 cases total.
Texas Health Services updated their statewide case count with 974 cases reported and 12 deaths.
9:05 a.m. - Inmate At Dallas Jail Tests Positive For Coronavirus
An inmate at the Dallas County jail has tested positive for the coronavirus, officials announced Wednesday.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office said the inmate is no longer being housed at the jail. It is the first known case of the virus at the jail.
9:01 a.m. - Coronavirus Hits Texas Prisons With First Inmate Case Confirmed
The first Texas prisoner has tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to the Texas Tribune.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said Tuesday the 37-year-old man, who has a preexisting respiratory condition, is being treated at the prison system’s hospital in Galveston and has been there for three days. He was in TDCJ custody a little less than a month after a conviction in Harris County on two drug possession charges. The results come one day after the agency reported that a prison counselor who worked at a different facility tested positive.
The prisoner was evaluated Saturday at the Lychner State Jail north of Houston after reporting shortness of breath and a cough, according to a statement from the department. He was sent to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston before being transferred to Galveston for testing for the new coronavirus. The agency said he is in good condition.
Ellis County Approves Stay Home, Stay Safe Order
The Ellis County Commissioners Court have approved an order requiring residents to shelter-in-place.
The order will be effective from 11:59 p.m. Wednesday through April 3.
The order was approved by a 3-2 vote.
“We need to flatten the curve…it is my recommendation that we implement a shelter in place here in Ellis County,” said Dr.Leigh Nordstrom, The Ellis County local health authority.
In Ellis County there were eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 and an additional 20 people being monitored as of Tuesday night.
Find the full order here.
Tuesday, March 24
5:40 p.m. - State Changes COVID-19 Reporting Method Bringing Total Cases To 715
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is updating its method of reporting COVID-19 cases in the state. The DSHS daily case count now includes all cases reported publicly by local health departments around the state, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 715.
“We want to make sure the public and local leaders have the best possible information in one place as they make decisions about COVID-19,” Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner, said in a statement. “This new method allows us to share case counts faster.”
See updated case counts in a new interactive map.
5:30 p.m. - Denton County Reports 15 New COVID-19 Cases
Denton County Public Health (DCPH) is reporting 15 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county. This increases the countywide total of confirmed cases 51.
“DCPH is identifying and contacting individuals who may have been exposed. Any individuals identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly by DCPH,” the county said in a statement. “No further personal information will be released to protect patient confidentiality.”
3:22 p.m. - Fort Worth ISD Schools Closed Until Further Notice
Schools in Fort Worth ISD will be closed until further notice, the district announced today. Students will remain at home and receive online instruction.
“All schools will remain closed until we believe we can safely bring students back to school buildings for in-person teaching and learning and other school-related activities,” Superintendent Kent Scribner said in a statement.
The decision is in line with the city's disaster restrictions that are in place through May 15.
3:01 p.m. - Rockwall County Under Stay-At-Home Order
Rockwall County Judge David Sweet issued an ordertoday mandating all residents stay at home in light of the coronavirus outbreak and COVID-19 begining at midnight. The order is similar to those issued by other North Texas counties. The order is in effect through April 15.
1:23 p.m. - Denton County Issues Stay-At-Home Order
Denton County has issued a stay-at-home order Tuesday. Denton County Judge Andy Eads and Mayor Chris Watts announced that new restrictions will be adopted to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Beginning Wednesday, March 25, at midnight, residents are ordered to stay at home except for essential activities and work.
12:51 p.m. - Dallas Animal Services Offering Free, Online Adoptions
Dallas Animal Services is now offering tele-adoptions, online foster orientations and curbside adoption and foster pet pick-ups.
All pets will be free to adopt until further notice. Residents can visit dallasanimalservices.org to schedule an appointment to speak with a staff member who will then help them select a pet and set a curbside pickup time.
Animal services officers will continue to answer urgent and high-priority calls, including sick or injured animals and animals that threaten the safety of others. Residents are still encouraged to call 311 for animal-related service calls.
North Texas Behavioral Heath Authority To Open Mental Health Support Line
The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority has developed a mental health support line specifically related to COVID-19. The service will provide trauma-informed support and psychological first aid to anyone experiencing stress and anxiety related to the outbreak. The service is part of the authority's crisis services and will allow for direct transfers between groups to provide care.
Those experiencing stress, anxiety, grief or worry as a result of COVID-19 can call 833-251-7544 for 24/7 care. If you need a higher level of care, the 24/7 crisis line is 866-260-8000.
10:15 a.m. - Collin County Issues Stay-At-Home Order
Collin County has issued its own order that tells people to stay home -- but businesses are allowed to stay open. That's different than a Dallas County shelter-in-place order already in effect, which only allows essential businesses to operate.
Collin County Judge Chris Hill spoke to reporters this morning.
"Essential businesses in Dallas County are open today, running according to stay safe, work safe guidelines," Hill said. "Businesses in Collin County are open today according to those same guidleines. This is a unified approach."
Tarrant County Mayors, Judge Issue Stay-At-Home Orders
Tarrant County has added its name to the growing list of Texas counties ordering residents to shelter-in-place.
Starting at midnight through April 3, residents of Tarrant County are to stay home — except for a handful of essential activities and jobs. Those include healthcare, government, specific retail operations, social services and child care.
Grocery stores will remain open. Restaurants can offer takeout, delivery or drive-through services.
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price hopes to get people back to work as quickly as possible but says it's important to maintain hospital infrastructure.
"It isn't lost on us that these are incredibly hard times," Price said. "But if you're sick and we can't treat you in the hospitals, we will really be in trouble."
Price says Fort Worth law enforcement will issue warnings -- and a second offense may result in a fine.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has updated the city's emergency regulations to match Dallas County's orders.
Monday, March 23
Collin County Mayors Lean Toward Shelter-In-Place Order
Mayors in Collin County appear to be in favor of a shelter-in-place order, according to statements posted on social media. Collin County officials have scheduled a press conference Tuesday morning.
The news comes after Dallas County’s shelter-in-place order goes into effect at midnight.
McKinney Mayor George Fuller posted a note on Facebook.
“There is consensus on adopting a form of shelter in place among the cities,” the statement says. “This consideration was not arrived at easily, as we understand the further, negative financial impact that businesses and the workforce will suffer.”
The statement adds that “in the absence of thorough local testing results, we must rely on more comprehensive data that exists in other parts of the world.” That data shows “the need to take aggressive action sooner, rather than later, especially in our urban areas.”
The statement says it’s a goal to adopt uniform policies and practices so that containment efforts are regionally consistent.
5:35 p.m. - Dallas ISD Superintendent Gives Video Update
With at-home learning starting today, Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa answered some of the most frequent questions the district’s received so far via video.
Watch his update below.
4:34 p.m. - Denton County Announces 6 New Cases
Denton County has announced six new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total for the county to 36.
3:33 p.m. - Austin Mayor To Order Shelter-In-Place Order Tuesday
A "shelter-in-place" policy will be announced for Austin-Travis County on Tuesday, Austin Mayor Steve Adler confirmed.
2:43 p.m. - Age Restrictions Lifted At Dallas Testing Sites
Hoping to test more North Texans for COVID-19, officials have now lifted the age restriction for two drive-through testing sites in Dallas.
Officials say a person is eligible for testing if they're experiencing shortness of breath or a cough. And they must have a temperature of 99.6 degrees or higher.
Two testing sites have been set up in Dallas -- one in a parking lot next to DART’s Victory Station and another at the Ellis Davis Field House on South Polk Street. Both sites are running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are open to those who do not live in Dallas County. --Bekah Morr
1:09 p.m. - Texas Receives $36.9 Million From CDC For COVID-19 Response
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that the state has received its first allotment of funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- $36.9 million.
The Texas Department of State Health Services will distribute $19.5 million to 43 local health departments, including $1.75 million for Dallas and Tarrant counties and the San Antonio Metro Health District. The rest of the funds will be used by the state to support areas of the state not covered by local health departments.
12:08 p.m. - 24 New Cases Reported In Dallas County
Dallas County Health and Human Services reports 24 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths from the virus. The new cases bring the total number in Dallas County to 155. The two new deaths are a Dallas man in his 60s, who had been critically ill in a local hospital and did not have other high-risk chronic health conditions, and another Dallas man in his 60s who had been critically ill in a local hospital and had high-risk chronic health conditions.
11:16 a.m. - Waco Mayor Issues Shelter-In-Place Order
Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver issued a shelter-in-place order Monday, making it the first city in Texas to do so.
Waco officials are following the lead of Dallas County, which issued a similar order over the weekend. The order goes into effect by midnight Monday and prohibits Waco residents from leaving their houses except for “essential activities,” including trips to grocery stores, pharmacies or health care facilities.
All businesses deemed nonessential are expected to close. Waco residents will still be allowed to leave their homes for outdoor exercise, provided they follow social distancing measures. — The Texas Tribune
9:55 a.m. - Texas Health Officials Suspend Most Visitors To State Hospitals
Texas health officials are suspending most visitors to state hospitals and state supported living centers to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Texas’ Health and Human Services Commission is temporarily suspending any nonessential visits to these facilities across the state.
HHS will allow state investigators, law enforcement, judges, attorneys and staff to continue in-person visits. Before entering facilities, those visitors would be screened for travel history and have their temperature taken.
Texas has a network of 10 state hospitals, which provide inpatient care to psychiatric patients. There are also 13 state supported living centers, which provide residential care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.--Syeda Hasan
24th District Runoff Is Postponed
A runoff election in the race for Texas’ 24th Congressional District has been postponed. Gov. Greg Abbott has pushed the election to July 14, citing concerns about the coronavirus.
In a crowded primary field, Democrats Candace Valenzuela and Kim Olson advanced to a runoff. Both candidates are adjusting their campaigns to accommodate social distancing – they continue to push their messages to voters online and over the phone.
Olson, who finished first in the Democratic primary, calls the postponement a “hard but smart decision.” She says voters shouldn’t have to choose between their health and democratic participation. Valenzuela is calling on state leaders to expand mail-in voting eligibility to include all registered voters. Currently, only Texans who are 65 or older, disabled, out of the county or in jail can vote by mail. The Texas Democratic Party has filed a lawsuit to expand mail-in voting eligibility.
Democrats are confident they can flip this suburban North Texas district, which has been a Republican stronghold. The winner of the Democratic runoff will face Republican Beth Van Duyne in the general election in November. -- Syeda Hasan
Sunday, March 22
Updated 8 p.m. - Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins Issues ‘Stay Safe At Home’ Order
Dallas County is ordering citizens to shelter in place.
In an updated public health emergency order issued this afternoon, the county said to protect the community for the rapid spread of coronavirus Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is requiring “all individuals anywhere in Dallas County to shelter in place – that is, stay at home – except for certain essential activities and work to provide essential business and government services or perform essential public infrastructure construction, including housing.”
The order takes effect at midnight, March 24 and will continue through April 3. It allows people to leave their homes to get essential items, like groceries and medications, or to do things like take outdoor walks or care for sick family members. It also requires businesses that do not perform essential services to close their facilities and have employees work from home if possible.
Read the full story from KERA's Stella Chávez.
5:15 p.m. - Abbott Issues Orders To Increase Hospital Capacity; Passes On 'Shelter-In-Place'
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sunday he is issuing orders to increase health care and hospital capacity as COVID-19 spreads throughout the state. He said he was not, however, going to issue a "shelter-in-place" order for Texas, as many other governors have done.
Abbott is directing health care professionals to postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not necessary to correct a serious medical condition or to preserve the life of a patient. He said he is also suspending regulations that prevent doctors from treating more than one patient in a room.
“Together these orders will free up countless hospital beds across the entire state of Texas to be able to treat the potential increase in COVID-19 patients,” the governor said.
Read the full story from KUT News.
3:40 p.m. - Denton County Reports 6 Additional COVID-19 Cases
Denton County is reporting six additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 30. Denton County Public Health (DCPH) is "identifying and contacting individuals who may have been exposed," according to a statement released Sunday afternoon. "Any individuals identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly by DCPH."
Officials list 10 of the county's 30 cases as having been caused by local transmission.
2:55 p.m. - Tarrant County Reports 5 Additional COVID-19 Cases
Tarrant County has reported five additional COVID-19 cases bringing the total number of cases in the county to 47. One person has died from the illness in the county so far.
You can see the number of people in Tarrant County diagnosed with the illness and which cities have had positive cases here.
1:47 p.m. - Dallas County Reports 36 Additional COVID-19 Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting 36 additional positive cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 131. A second death from COVID-19 has also been reported, according to a statement released by officials Sunday morning.
The deceased was a man in his 80s who was a resident of the city of Dallas. He had been critically ill in a local hospital, and did not have other high-risk chronic health conditions, according to officials. Over 40% of patients who have been hospitalized are over 60 years of age.
DCHHS will not release any additional information about those who have been diagnosed or have died.
“It is our policy in Dallas County not to release the names of persons who have died from COVID-19. We leave that to the decisions of their families and loved ones,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers are with this family and with all of the persons who have been suffering from COVID-19. Dallas County will do everything in their power to #flattenthecurve and give you and your family their best chance to stay safe.”
10:15 a.m. - Collin County Reports 31 COVID-19 Cases
As of 8 a.m. March 22, there have been 31 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Collin County, according to a statement released by county officials. Eight people have successfully recovered from the disease, two are hospitalized and 20 remain in home isolation.
There has been one confirmed death associated with COVID-19 in Collin County, and there are 75 people in the county being monitored for the disease.
9:45 a.m. - American Airlines Baggage Handler At DFW Tests Positive For COVID-19
The Dallas Morning News reports that an American Airlines baggage handler at DFW left work this week after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
On Friday, leaders at the airline and its regional carrier Envoy sent letters to airport employees warning them about the case and urging them to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to stay home and seek medical attention if they show symptoms, according to memos shared with The Dallas Morning News.
American spokesman Joshua Freed declined to confirm to the Morning News Saturday if any other baggage handlers had been diagnosed with coronavirus.
“The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority," Freed told the Morning News in a statement. "We are in close contact with the CDC and public health departments and are coordinating with them on all required health and safety measures.”
