Tarrant County reported a large jump in new COVID-19 cases at the beginning of the week. Officials confirmed that 423 of those cases were among male inmates at the Federal Medical Center Fort Worth.
Get the latest news from our COVID-19 Live Updates page.
Saturday, May 16
Gov. Abbott Addresses Over 700 Cases In One Day In Amarillo
Governor Greg Abbott released a statement, detailing the containment plan for the COVID-19 outbreak in Amarillo where over 700 cases have been reported on Saturday.
Surge Response Teams, consisting of 70 members of the National Guard and personnel from the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, were deployed to Amarillo on Monday, May 4. The teams conducted a survey of high-risk areas to start testing meat packing workers.
The rise in positive cases was a result of the targeted testing, according to the press release.
"As Texas continues ramping up its testing capabilities, there will be an increase in positive cases as the state targets the most high-risk areas: nursing homes, meat packing plants and jails," Abbott said. "That is exactly why I established Surge Response Teams. By immediately deploying resources and supplies to these high risk areas, we will identify the positive cases, isolate the individuals and ensure any outbreak is quickly contained, which is the strategy being deployed in Amarillo."
Meat packing plants with widespread outbreaks have been temporarily shut down for disinfection. Patients who tested positive and can’t isolate are being offered hotels. DSHS is also managing an alternate care site for patients who don’t require hospitalization. An additional allotment of the COVID-19 drug Remdesivir will also be sent to Amarillo.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas Department of State Health Services, BCFS Health and Human Services and local officials are responding to the outbreak.
Tarrant Announces 84 New Cases
Tarrant County Public Health reported 84 additional cases, bringing the total case count in the county to 4,350.
There have been 121 deaths related to COVID-19.
Dallas County Reports 214 New Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services announced 214 additional cases of COVID-19, raising the total case count in the county to 7,250. The county has a total of 170 deaths.
The additional six deaths being reported today include:
- A man in his 40’s who was a resident of the City of Mesquite and had been critically ill in an area hospital.
- A woman in her 50’s who was a resident of the City of Dallas and expired in a hospital ED.
- A woman in her 70’s who was a resident of the City of Garland and had been critically ill in an area hospital.
- A man in his 80’s who was a resident of the City of Grand Prairie and had been critically ill in an area hospital.
- A man in his 80’s who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Irving and had been critically ill in an area hospital.
- A woman in her 100’s who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Mesquite and had been hospitalized.
Collin Announces 8 Additional Cases
Collin County Public Health reported eight additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count to 1,016.
There have been 31 deaths related to COVID-19 in the county.
Denton County Announces 11 New Cases
Denton County Public Health reported 11 additional cases of COVID-19, raising the total case count in the county to 1,051.
There have been a total of 28 deaths in the county.
Data Shows 3,000 Nursing Home Residents Positive For Coronavirus
More than 3,000 nursing home residents in Texas have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Associated Press. The data was released by the state on Friday.
The 3,000 positive tests represent about 4% of the estimated number of Texans living in nursing homes, the Houston Chronicle reported. By comparison, about 0.15% of Texas residents have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday ordered coronavirus testing for all Texas nursing home residents and staff after the White House urged governors to do so as deaths mount nationwide.
Dallas Businesses Can Apply For Temporary Parklets Soon
Starting on Monday, business owners can apply for a temporary city permit that would allow them to expand their outdoor space with a parklet, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Temporary parklets carve out street parking to provide additional seating or space for pickup orders. They need traffic control barriers on each side of the designated seating area and an 18-inch buffer from traffic.
Parklets can be as simple as chairs and tables set outside and must be removed every night — like a pop-up patio. They are inspired by cafe-style restaurants seen in Europe and other urban cities.
Friday, May 15
5 More Deaths, 199 New Cases In Dallas County
Dallas County is reporting five new deaths and 199 additional positive cases COVID-19. This brings the total case count in the county to 7,036, including 164 deaths.
The deaths being reported today are described as:
- A Mesquite woman in her 60s who had been critically ill in an area hospital.
- A Grand Prairie woman in her 60s who had been critically ill in an area hospital.
- A Grand Prairie man in his 60s who was found deceased at home.
- A Mesquite woman in her 70s who lived in a long-term care facility and had been critically ill in an area hospital.
- An Irving man in his 80s who also lived at a long-term care facility and had been hospitalized.
Tarrant County Reports 3 More Deaths
Tarrant County Public Health reported three additional deaths, including a man in his 50s, a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 80s who were all from Fort Worth.
Two of the patients had underlying health conditions.
The county now has 120 deaths and 1,467 people have recovered.
Denton County Reports 24 New Cases
Denton County health officials are reporting 24 cases of COVID-19. This increases the cumulative, countywide total to 1,040 confirmed cases.
There have been 28 deaths related to the disease in the county and 548 people have recovered, according to health officials.
15 New Cases in Collin County
Collin County is reporting 15 new cases of COVID-19 today bringing the countywide total to 1,008 confirmed positive cases.
According to county health officials 661 people in the county have successfully recovered from the disease. There have been 31 deaths in Collin County related to COVID-19.
Dallas County Judge Launches New “Stay Safe Business” Program
A recent letter from state Attorney General Ken Paxton said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins can't require businesses to follow recommendations for reopening set out by the governor.
In response, Jenkins yesterday announced a new program called “Stay Safe Business.”
The Dallas Morning News reports businesses can get a “Stay Safe Business” designation from the county by pledging to follow the guidelines set out for their industry as long as their business falls in line with the county’s color-coded coronavirus recommendations chart.
The county's currently in the “red” risk zone, which recommends the strictest precautions and indicates a high risk of community transmission of COVID-19.
To move into the next-lowest risk level, orange, the county would need to see 14 days of decline in certain indicators, including ICU admissions, occupied hospital beds, ER visits and hospitalizations related to COVID-19.
UT Arlington Will Give $10.6 Million To Students Through Grants Funded By CARES Act
UT Arlington is providing $10.6M to eligible students as a financial aid grant after receiving funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Full-time students will receive $1,000, and part-time students will receive $500. Funds will be disbursed directly to students, even if they have outstanding charges with the university.
The university received $21,177,188 from the CARES Act in April, with at least half being designated to be used for student financial aid grants.
Under federal guidelines, only students who are eligible for federal aid and have a financial need can be considered. International or undocumented students and students not enrolled cannot apply. Students in degree programs that were exclusively online before March 13 are also ineligible.
Eviction And Debt Collection Proceedings To Resume Next Week
The Texas Supreme Court has ordered evictions and debt collection proceedings to resume next week, after both were put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Texas Tribune reports that eviction hearings can be held as soon as Tuesday. Landlords can order evictions beginning May 26.
However, some tenants are protected through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act through August 23. That includes renters whose homes have federally backed mortgages. Others may be protected by local orders.
Debt collectors can also garnish accounts again beginning later this month.
Thursday, May 14
Dallas County Reports 235 New Cases, 6 Deaths
Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 235 additional cases of COVID-19 and six deaths. These numbers bring the total number of cases countywide to 6,837 and the total number of deaths to 159.
The deceased include:
- A Dallas man in his 50s who had been critically ill in a hospital
- A Dallas woman in her 60s who had been critically ill in a hospital
- A Dallas man in his 60s who was hospitalized
- A Dallas man in his 60s who had been critically ill in a hospital
- A Dallas man in his 90s who had been critically ill in a hospital
- A man in his 90s who was a resident of a Dallas long-term care facility
Tarrant County Reports 135 New Cases, 3 Deaths
Tarrant County Public Health is reporting 135 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths, bringing the countywide total number of cases to 4,211. The deceased include a man in his 80s and a man in his 70s from Fort Worth and a woman in her 80s from Keller. All had underlying health conditions.
Denton County Reports 27 New Cases, 3 Deaths
Denton County Public Health is reporting 27 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths. The deaths include:
- A hospitalized man in his 70s who was a resident Denton
- A hospitalized man in his 60s who was a resident of The Colony
- A hospitalized woman in her 70s who was a resident of southwest unincorporated Denton County
These numbers bring the countywide total number of cases to 1,016.
Collin County Reports 15 New Cases
Collin County Public Health is reporting 15 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 993.
Governor To Announce More Reopening Plans
Gov. Greg Abbott is set to to announce another set of reopening plans on Monday.
“We’re opening Texas as fast as possible while also containing the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott said in a Wednesday night interview with KETK.
Health experts say that even small steps toward reopening businesses will increase the number of people who become sick from the virus. The governor has allowed the reopening of a number of businesses across industries over the last two weeks, including restaurants, retailers and hair salons. Originally Abbott said bars would get the go-ahead to reopen by mid-May. He has stopped short of putting a date on their reopening, saying he needs more information from experts to figure out how to reopen them safely.
“Part of what we seek to do this coming Monday is seek to get the advice of our four-doctor medical team about safe ways that current businesses may be allowed to open up even further and safe ways that certain businesses that are not open may be allowed to open,” Abbott said in an interview Wednesday evening with WOAI. “So we are still providing information to our medial team, getting advice back from our medical team, and we will be making these decisions here in the coming days."
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen also went on the air to defend the governor’s decision to reopen more businesses.
“If Texans follow the health guidelines of washing their hands, social distancing, wearing a face-covering when they go out in public, then we can be successful in reopening our economy, getting Texans back to work,” Bonnen said on KETK. — Stacy Fernández and Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune
Collin County Launches COVID-19 Testing For Uninsured
The Collin County Commissioners Court approved funds to cover costs for testing uninsured residents of the county through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
The service includes testing for COVID-19 and a medical evaluation, either in an office visit or drive-through facility. A voucher system will ensure that the county is billed directly by healthcare providers. Vouchers do not cover prescriptions, and only uninsured residents of Collin County are eligible.
So far, two providers have agreed to accept the vouchers — PrimaCare Urgent Care and CommunityMed Urgent Care.
Online forms and more information are posted on the Collin CARES page. For those who can’t access or print the online forms, please check for availability with the testing provider.
Texas Meatpacking Plant Changes Course, Allowing State To Test Workers
A meatpacking plant near Amarillo has accepted the state’s offer to test employees for the coronavirus as officials try to contain a cluster of infections connected to the facility.
State emergency management officials yesterday initially said JBS USA didn't agree to allow the state test workers.
However, hours later, the company said it would accept, but still needed to work out the details of how to do it.
A spokeswoman for JBS said testing will begin late next week. The facility employs about 3,000 workers.
Federal Government Extends Support Of Two Dallas Test Sites
The federal government has extended its support of two COVID-19 testing sites in Dallas.
U.S. officials had planned to stop that support at Ellis Davis Field House and American Airlines Center at the end of the month.
County Judge Clay Jenkins this week sought an extension. He said each site could handle as many as 500 tests a day.
The Deputy Surgeon General has since told the state Emergency Management division that federally supported testing would be extended through June 30 at the two Dallas sites - and five others in El Paso and Harris County.
Wednesday, May 13
Denton County Confirms 21 New Cases
Denton County's 21 cases of COVID-19 today raises the cumulative total to 989.
Denton County Public Health also announced that it's providing a free drive-through testing center at Braswell High School in Aubrey on Friday, May 15, from 8 a.m. to noon. Call to pre-register for testing at 940-349-2585.
Eligibility includes:
- All essential workers
- Community members who currently have COVID-19 symptoms
- Members of the community who have been symptomatic within the past seven days
Denton County's active case count stands at 430. There have been 25 confirmed deaths from COVID-19.
HHS Extends Dallas' 2 Community-Based Testing Sites
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have extended the two community-based COVID-19 testing sites in Dallas through June. 30. Those testing sites are at the Ellis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St., and at American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave.
Tarrant County Reports 266 More Cases
Tarrant County Public Health is reporting 266 new cases of COVID-19, including 153 from a federal prison outbreak.
This brings the countywide total number of cases to 4,076.
Dallas County Reports 243 More Cases, 5 Deaths
Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting243 more cases of COVID-19 and 5 deaths.
The deceased include:
- A Dallas woman in her 60s who had been critically ill in a hospital
- A Dallas man in his 60s who had been critically ill in a hospital
- A woman in her 60s who was a resident of a Mesquite long-term care facility
- A Mesquite woman in her 70s who has been critically ill in a hospital
- A Dallas man in his 70s who had been critically ill in a hospital
These new numbers bring the countywide total number of cases to 6,602, including 153 deaths.
Dallas Approves Contract For In-Home Testing
The Dallas City Council on Wednesday passed an emergency contract that will provide in-home COVID-19 testing to Dallas residents.
Assistant City Manager Jon Fortune says the city will offer up to 60 tests per day in targeted ZIP codes.
"We'll go to their house, so they don't have to have transportation to get to a testing site in the traditional manner," he said. "This particular project will allow the vendor through an appointment process to actually go to a resident's house."
Mayor Eric Johnson says not enough COVID-19 testing is happening in Dallas.
"I do feel that it is impossible for us to seriously talk about opening back up the Dallas economy and getting Dallas back on its feet economically if we don't deal with this issue," he said.
City officials say they want 4,000 COVID-19 tests administered each day in Dallas.
Collin County Reports 15 New Cases
Collin County Public Health reports 15 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 978. One death, a 71-year-old Plano man, is reported. He had a serious underlying health condition and died in a Plano hospital.
Frisco ISD Board Votes To Partially Open June 8
Frisco ISD Board of Trustees voted Monday to begin normal summer operations on June 8, the Dallas Morning News reports.
The vote amended the district's emergency closure resolution adopted in March. The district will encourage social-distancing protocols, and staff will work remotely when possible and take extra precautions inside facilities.
Gov. Abbott Waives Renewal Late Fee For Some Occupational Licenses
Gov. Greg Abbott has waived license renewal late fees accrued between March 13 and June 15 for occupational licenses for a variety of jobs. Those include barbers, cosmetologists, electricians, speech-language patholigists and dyslexia therapists.
Texas AG Ken Paxton Warns Cities To Pull Back Coronavirus Restrictions
The Texas Attorney General has sent letters to local governments, telling them to scale back their local disaster orders to be in line with the state.
The Dallas Morning News reports Ken Paxton's letter to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins warned he can't enforce safety guidelines laid out by the state for business reopenings, like the use of masks in public and limiting how many people can attend religious services. Paxton said those are recommendations, not mandates.
The letter also cited conflicts between what the state and county define as essential businesses.
Paxton told Jenkins Dallas County should roll back its stay-at-home order, which effectively ended this month once the state's economy began reopening.
Texas Prisons Will Receive Thousands Of COVID-19 Tests
Tens of thousands of COVID-19 tests are headed for Texas prisons, where inmates have tested positive at a dramatically higher rate than the rest of the state.
Jeremy Desel with the state’s Criminal Justice Department yesterday said the tests are designed to be self-administered, but a dozen “strike teams” are receiving training this week to help with the testing.
The agency said more than 1,700 prison inmates have tested positive for coronavirus.
Yesterday's announcement of widespread testing in Texas was the second in as many days. The Governor Monday ordered coronavius testing for every nursing home resident and staff member in the state.
Paul Quinn College Helps Organize Online Graduation For HBCUs
A nationwide graduation celebration for historically black colleges and universities will be livestreamed this weekend, and Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell will be one of the speakers.
Former President Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, Kevin Hart and Wyclef Jean will also make appearances during the 2-hour event, which takes place on Twitter and YouTube at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Tuesday, May 12
Dallas Mayor Names COVID-19 Health Czar
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has named Dr. Kelvin Baggett as the city's COVID-19 Health and Healthcare Access Czar. Baggett's role will include assessing and leading efforts to increase testing and contact tracing, in addition to promoting health measures.
"We are all doing what we can to respond to the daunting and unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic," Mayor Johnson said in a statement. "But it has become clear to me that we need someone to focus on helping those most in need and increasing their access to testing and healthcare. These steps are critical for our ongoing public health response and for our reopening and recovery efforts."
Baggett is a physician trained in public health and business. He now serves as managing director of Posterity Capital Group, a private equity firm. He also serves as a senior advisor to Pharos Capital Group. He previously served as the chief clinical officer for Tenet Healthcare and as Chief Operating Officer for HCA, Clinical Services Group.
Texas AG's Office Warns Dallas County That Its Stay-At-Home Order Is Too Restrictive
The Texas Attorney General’s Office sent a letter Tuesday to Dallas County, warning that parts of the county’s stay-at-home order are too restrictive and exceed state law — that includes a mask requirement.
The attorney general’s office says while the county’s order requires people to wear masks when they leave their homes, the state says they are free to choose whether to wear one or not.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a statement Tuesday, saying the public should make decisions based on the recommendations of public health professionals.
The attorney general's office says it sent similar letters to officials in Bexar and Travis counties, as well as the mayors of Austin and San Antonio.
Dallas County Reports 236 Cases, 3 Deaths
Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 236 more cases of COVID-19 and 3 deaths.
The deceased include:
- A Dallas woman in her 40 who had been critically ill in a hospital
- An Irving man in his 50s
- A Dallas woman in her 60s who had been critically ill
The new cases bring the total number for the county to 6,359. The total number of deaths is 148.
Tarrant County Report 65 New Cases, 5 Deaths
Tarrant County Public Health is reporting 65 new cases of COVID-19 and 5 deaths.
The deceased include:
- A Fort Worth man in his 50s
- A Fort Worth man in his 80s
- A Fort Worth woman in her 80s
- An Arlington man in his 50s
- An Arlington man in his 80s
These numbers bring the countywide total of cases to 3,810, and the total number of deaths to 109.
Online SNAP Purchasing Now Available
Participants in a federal food assistance program in Texas will now be allowed to buy groceries online at certain retailers for curbside pickup or delivery. The pilot program launches statewide today.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is rolling out the online purchasing option for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients about five days ahead of the projected start date. Currently, the two participating retailers in the state are Amazon and Walmart.
SNAP funds can only be used to cover the cost of groceries, not delivery or other convenience fees. More than 3.7 million people in the state were eligible for benefits in April. Texas is one of 15 states that have received federal approval to allow SNAP recipients to make online grocery purchases.
Denton County Reports 22 New Cases
Denton County Public Health is reporting 22 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the new countywide total to 968 cases.
Collin County Reports 24 New Cases
Collin County Public Health is reporting 24 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the countywide total number of cases to 963.
Smith County Jail Inmates To Be Tested for COVID-19
All inmates and employees at Smith County Jail will be tested for COVID-19. The Tyler Morning Telegraph reports that Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced Tuesday that 17 jail employees and 10 inmates have tested postitive for coronavirus. Seventeen employees are in quarantine, six inmates have pending results and 153 inmates are under quarantine.
Early Runoff Voting Extended
The Governor has doubled the length of the early voting period for the upcoming July 14 primary runoff elections.
Abbott yesterday ordered early voting to begin June 29 instead of July 6. He said the usual early voting window typical for runoff elections “would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the COVID-19 disaster.”
The Texas Tribune reports Abbott previously used his emergency powers under his statewide disaster declaration to delay the primary runoffs from their original date in May.
Dozens of runoffs are ongoing for party nominations to congressional and local offices. The most prominent is the contest between Dallas State Senator Royce West and former Air Force helicopter pilot M.J. Hegar for the Democratic bid to take on Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
Arlington GM Plant Preparing To Restart Production
General Motors is preparing for production to begin May 18 as the company implements safety protocols to protect its workers, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Arlington GM workers have already been working on a volunteer basis. New safety standards dictate that workers maintain six feet of distance, wash and sanitize hands frequently and sanitize their workspaces.
GM said it is eliminating touch points and improving ventilation to prevent air stagnation.
Grand Prairie ISD To Hold Graduations At Globe Life Field
The Grand Prairie ISD Board of Trustees has announced that the district's graduation ceremony will take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The ballpark, the district says, will allow guests and graduates to gather under the guidelines set forth by the governor and the Texas Education Agency. More information can be found on the district website.
Monday, May 11
Dallas County Reports 253 More Cases, 2 Deaths
Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 253 additional cases of COVID-19 and 2 deaths. This brings the county's total number of cases to 6,123 with 145 deaths.
Tarrant County Reports 50 New Cases, 1 Death
Tarrant County Public Heath is reporting 50 new cases of COVID-19 and 1 death. The deceased is a Keller man in his 90s with underlying health conditions.
This brings the countywide total number of cases to 3,745.
Collin County Reports 21 New Cases, 1 Death
Collin County Public Health is reporting 21 new cases of COVID-19 and 1 death — a Plano woman in her 70s who has underlying health conditions.
This brings the countywide total number of cases to 939.
Denton County Reports 24 New Cases
Denton County Public Health is reporting 24 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the countywide total number of cases to 946.
Fort Worth ISD Planning Virtual, Outdoor Celebrations For Graduates
Fort Worth ISD's virtual graduation ceremonies will take place June 20 for nearly 5,000 seniors. The district is also planning in-person outdoor celebrations that follow guidelines recently issued by the Texas Education Agency.
The outdoor celebrations will take place at either Farrington Field or Clark Stadium and will depend on public health conditions. The events will take place June 23-26.
The online graduations will be an streaming event that will highlight each individual graduate. Technology will allow students to share photos of themselves in cap and gown, as well a personalized video message as they "move the tassel" to indicate their status as new graduates. More information can be found through the Fort Worth ISD.
Dallas Meat Processing Company Reopening After 2-Week Break
Quality Sausage says it's reopening in phases. According to a statement, that started the evening of May 8.
This follows a 14-day pause in production after two employees died of COVID-19 and others tested positive.
During that time, the company says it reviewed its operations and guidance on COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Organization. It also says workers were paid while operations were paused.
The company's statement says a medical doctor designed a testing system for employees and advised on safety procedure. A toxicologist and certified industrial hygienist provided additional guidance.
Additional safety protocols will include:
- Educating employees on minimizing transmission of COVID-19
- Adding Plexiglas barriers and 6-foot social distancing markers on the floor
- Ongoing deep cleaning
- Daily screening of all employees and additional testing for COVID-19.
The company hasn't determined when it will resume full operations. It also hasn't released the number of employees who've returned to work — or tested positive for COVID-19.
North Texas Home Sales Hit Hard By Pandemic
North Texas home sales were down 17% from a year ago, the biggest decline in nine years, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Home sales were up 9% in the first three months of the year, but April's decline wiped out most of those gains.
Mobile COVID-19 Testing Coming To Tyler
Free mobile coronavirus testing will be available Tuesday and Wednesday at the East Texas State Fairgrounds in Tyler. Testing will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration in advance is required by calling 512-883-2400 or online. Anyone showing symptoms of coronavirus will be screened.
Historic Oil Bust Delivers A Gut Punch To 1 Texas County
In the endless boom and bust cycle of the oil business, there has never been anything like 2020. The oil patch is reeling from historic low prices. Futures for West Texas Intermediate crude closed at $25 a barrel on Friday, down from more than $60 a barrel at the beginning of the year.
On a normal day in Andrews County, look in any direction and you'll see, stretching to the horizon, the bobbing horseheads of pump jacks sucking up oil from deep in the earth. But these are anything but normal days.
"Right now it's scary, honestly," said Lendon Partain, a well technician in Andrews. He's standing next to an idled pump jack in the mesquite scrubland that overlays what experts consider "a monster oilfield."
Sunday, May 10
Over 400 Inmates At Fort Worth Federal Prison Test Positive
Tarrant County is reporting 485 New COVID-19 cases today. Officials have confirmed that 423 of those cases are among male inmates at the Federal Medical Center Fort Worth.
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, 619 inmates and one staff member at the Federal Medical Center Fort Worth have tested positive for the disease. Four inmates have died. As of today, the facility has the third highest COVID-19 case count of any federal prison.
The prison houses about 1,500 male inmates who need medical or mental health treatment. Visitation has been suspended until further notice.
The Bureau of Prisons says it's now testing inmates who don't show symptoms of COVID-19 to try and slow transmission, and that increased testing is reflected in this spike in positive cases.
A total of 3,695 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Tarrant County, 103 people with the disease have died. Two new deaths were reported today: a Kennedale woman in her 80s and a Bedford man in his 50s. Officials say both had underlying health conditions.
Dallas County Reports 251 Ne Cases; Most Hospitalized Patients Under 65
Dallas County is reporting 251 additional positive cases of COVID-19, and no new deaths. This brings the total case count in Dallas County to 5,870, including 143 deaths.
Older adults and people with severe underlying health conditions seem to be at a higher risk for developing complications from COVID-19, but new numbers from Dallas County show most patients who have needed hospitalization fall into younger age groups.
Two-thirds of Dallas County's hospitalized COVID-19 patients have been under the age of 65, and about half did not have any chronic health conditions. That's according to the latest analysis from Dallas County Health and Human Services, which looks at cases reported through this past Friday.
Among hospitalized patients who reported their employment, about 80% work in some type of critical infrastructure role — from healthcare to transportation to food and agriculture.
Close contact and community transmission continue to be the leading risk factors for COVID-19 across Dallas County. They're tied to more than 80% of cases.
Collin County Reports Death Of McKinney Woman
A 90-year-old McKinney woman with COVID-19 and underlying health conditions died last night at a memory care facility in McKinney, according to county health officials.
Her death marks the 28th death from the disease in Collin County.
There have ben 918 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county. According to county health officials, 587 people have recovered.
8 New COVID-19 Cases In Denton County
Denton County health officials are reporting 8 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, increasing the cumulative, countywide total to 922 confirmed cases. There have been 25 deaths in the county related to the disease, and officials report 440 people have recovered.
Pandemic Has Created Unprecedented Economic Declines For Texas, According To Fed
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas says the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented economic declines for Texas.
Laila Assanie, a senior business economist with the Dallas Fed, says mass layoffs and record unemployment is an obvious indicator of this decline.
“A record 1.6 million Texans filed for unemployment insurance from mid-March through late April, amounting to 11.5 percent of the workforce,” Assanie says.
She notes that layoffs have been widespread across multiple sectors; and that consumer confidence in Texas plunged in April to its lowest level in seven years.
Read the full story from Texas Public Radio.
Read More: A Timeline Of COVID-19's Spread In North Texas
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