Gov. Greg Abbott says he believes Texas schools will be ready to repoen in August. But in this era of COVID-19, education leaders are already worried state funding for education may fall, after drastic drops in revenue.
Get the latest news from our COVID-19 Live Updates page.
Saturday, May 30
Dallas County Reports 219 New Cases, 5 Deaths
Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 219 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 10,006. Five additional deaths are reported. They are:
- A Dallas man in his 20s who had been critically ill in an area hospital
- A Dallas man in his 50s who had been critically ill in an area hospital. He had underlying high risk health conditions
- A Garland man in his 60s who had been critically ill in an area hospital. He had underlying high risk health conditions
- A Dallas man in his 60s who had been critically ill in an area hospital. He did not have underlying high risk health conditions
- A man in his 70s who was a resident of a Dallas long-term care facility and had been critically ill in an area hospital. He had underlying high risk health conditions.
Tarrant County Reports 84 New Cases
Tarrant County Health and Human Services is reporting 84 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 5,463.
Five deaths were reported Saturday. The deceased include a man in his 80s and two women in their 60s from Fort Worth, a man in his 60s from Bedford, and a man in his 40s from Arlington. All but one had underlying health conditions.
Denton County Reports Additional Death; Collin County Reports 19 New Cases
Denton County officials on Saturday announced the county's 31st death. The Carrollton resident was in his 80s. The county also reported 28 new cases for a countywide total of 1,357. Collin County Public Health reported 19 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 1,297.
Texas A&M Opening 11 Campuses This Fall
The Texas A&M University System will be reopening its 11 campuses this fall.
The System’s board of regents approved plans to reopen safely during the coronavirus outbreak Friday, with a focus on limited classroom capacity. The plan calls for periodic testing, and requires students and staff to certify that they have not been infected with the virus.
Universities will be tasked with prioritizing which classes most require in person settings, and which can be offered online.
Universities also have the option to adjust their academic calendars in order to end the semester before Thanksgiving.
Friday, May 29
Dallas County Reports 200 More Cases, 1 Death
Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 200 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 9,787. One more death is reported — a Garland man in his 40s who had been critically ill in an area hospital.
Tarrant County Reports 85 New Cases, 2 Deaths
Tarrant County Public Health is reporting 85 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 5,379. Two more deaths are reported — a Bedford man in his 90s and a Fort Worth woman in her 70s. Both had underlying health conditions.
Denton County Reports 11 New Cases
Denton County Public Health is reporting 11 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 1,329.
Collin County Reports 42 New Cases
Collin County Public Health is reporting 42 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 1,278.
A 63-year-old woman from Plano with COVID-19 and serious underlying health conditions died Wednesday at a hospital in Plano, according to a report received by Collin County Health Care Services.
Big Bend National Park To Begin “Phased Reopening” On June 1
After being closed for nearly eight weeks, Big Bend National Park will open to the public beginning June 1 at 9 a.m., according to the park’s superintendent.
The move comes as park officials have been drafting a document outlining when and how the public will be able to visit park facilities and trails. As it’s written, the plan calls for Big Bend National Park to open gradually and in varying stages.
While some national parks across the country have already begun reopening, Big Bend has been cautious. An important factor: the region’s limited access to healthcare. Park officials are concerned about the impact the coronavirus could have on a remote rural pocket of the state, where the nearest hospital is 3 hours away.
In an interview with Marfa Public Radio, park superintendent Bob Krumenaker says he’s taken the advice of regional, state and federal health authorities who cautioned him to “go slow, make sure it’s working.” — Houston Public Media
Chevron plans to lay off thousands, while Exxon Mobil says it has no such plans
Two top oil companies are taking different routes so far in dealing with the industry's downturn. Chevron said it would lay off 15% of its employees while Exxon Mobil has no plans for such cuts, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Chevron said in a statement that it was “streamlining our organizational structures to reflect the efficiencies and match projected activity levels. This is a difficult decision, and we do not make it lightly.”
The paper reported that the company employs about 7,000 people in the Houston area and about 45,000 people across the globe, but that Chevron did not provide details on where a reduction in its workforce would occur. — Brandon Formby, The Texas Tribune
Thursday, May 28
Dallas County Reports 202 New Cases
Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 202 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 9,587. One death is reported today — a man in his 80s who was a resident of a Dallas long-term care facility.
Tarrant County Reports 104 New Cases, 3 Deaths
Tarrant County Public Health is reporting 104 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 5,294.
The county is also reporting three COVID-19 deaths. The deceased include a man in his 80s and a woman in her 50s from Fort Worth and a woman in her 70s from Hurst. All had underlying health conditions.
Collin County Reports 19 New Cases
Collin County Public Health is reporting 19 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 1,236.
Denton County Reports 33 New Cases
Denton County Public Health is reporting 33 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 1,318.
American Airlines To Cut Workforce Amid Pandemic
American Airlines plans to cut its 17,000 management and support staff by 30%, or about 5,100 jobs. That could include layoffs in October if there aren’t enough takers for a buyout offer.
Executive Vice President Elise Eberwein said in a memo to employees Wednesday night that nearly 39,000 other employees have signed up for partially paid leave or early retirement, and the airline has extended a buyout offer to administrative staff. Laid-off workers will be paid through Sept. 30 to comply with a no-furloughs provision attached to $5.8 billion in federal aid that American is getting to help cover payroll costs.
Aviation has been hard hit by the virus, as governments shut down travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Airlines are cutting jobs, going bankrupt and seeking bailouts, including Germany’s Lufthansa, Latam Airlines and the major U.S. carriers. That is causing ripple effects throughout the industry, with planemaker Boeing and others slashing jobs as well.
128,000 More Texans File For Unemployment
Another 128,105 Texans filed for unemployment last week, just a slight dip from the roughly 134,000 claims filed the week ending May 16.
Since mid-March, about 2.2 million Texans have filed for unemployment, as state and local orders attempting to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus brought the economy to a standstill. Nationwide, just over 2.1 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, bringing the total of Americans filing for unemployment in the past 10 weeks to more than 40 million.
The state has since moved into its plan to gradually reopen the economy. Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott permitted child care centers to reopen, as well as bars at 25% capacity, part of the second phase of reopening. And Tuesday, the governor issued a proclamation allowing mall food courts and water parks to resume operations. — Clare Proctor, The Texas Tribune
Shell Evacuates Employees After Outbreak On Rig In Gulf Of Mexico
Nine Shell employees were evacuated from an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico after five people tested positive for the new coronavirus, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The European oil and gas company, which has headquarters in Houston, did not specify at which offshore platform the outbreak happened but said it will reduce staffing there to minimal levels, according to the Chronicle.
Shell operates nine offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, and about 160 people work on the rig that was the site of coronavirus cases, KHOU-TV reported. — Sami Sparber, The Texas Tribune
Wednesday, May 27
Dallas County Reports 197 New Cases, 8 Deaths
Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 197 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases countywide to 9,385. The county is also reporting 8 more deaths contributed to the virus.
The deceased include:
- A Dallas man in his 30s found at home
- A Dallas man in his 40s who had been critically ill in a hospital and had underlying health conditions
- A Dallas man in his 50s who had been critically ill
- A Dallas woman in her 70s who had been hospitalized and had underlying health conditions
- A woman in her 70s who was a resident of a Dallas long-term care facility
- A woman in her 80s who was a resident of a Mesquite long-term care facility and had underlying health conditions
- A man in his 80s who was a resident of a Mesquite long-term care facility and had underlying health conditions
- A woman in her 80s who was a resident of a Mesquite long-term care facility and had underlying health conditions
Tarrant County Reports 151 New Cases
Tarrant County Public Health is reporting 151 new cases and 11 COVID-19 deaths. The deceased include a man in his 80s, a man in his 60s, two women in their 70s, and two women in their 80s, all from Fort Worth; a man in his 80s from Arlington, a woman in her 80s and a man over 90, both from Keller, a man in his 70s from Mansfield and a woman in her 90s from White Settlement. All but one had underlying health conditions.
Collin County Reports 28 New Cases
Collin County Public Health is reporting 28 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases countywide to 1,217.
Denton County Reports 30 New Cases
Denton County Public Health is reporting 30 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county's total number of cases to 1,285.
Texas Supreme Court Bars Most Jury Trials Through Aug. 1
The Texas Supreme Court is barring most jury selection proceedings and jury trials through Aug. 1, according to a new order issued Wednesday.
Most jury trials had previously been on hold. Moving forward, if a judge wishes for a jury trial, both the prosecution and the defense have to agree to it, and health precautions will have to be followed.
The court is also allowing remote proceedings to continue in Texas and established that existing grand juries can meet remotely or in person as long as health precautions are taken.
As part of the same order, most deadlines for civil and criminal cases were extended to Sept. 30. — Juan Pablo Garnham, The Texas Tribune
Applications Open For Fort Worth Small Business Grant Program
The city of Fort Worth got $158 million from a federal coronavirus relief package, $10 million of that is going to help small businesses — and applications are now open.
The 'Preserve the Fort' grant program is open to businesses with up to 250 employees, as well as nonprofits and people who are self-employed.
The program’s also set aside $2.5 million for minority-owned businesses. Plus, another $2.5 million for businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods that the city has slated for revitalization.
The size of the grant is based on the size of the business. Awards will range from $5,000 to $50,000.
The funds can be used to pay rent, employees and suppliers, or to buy personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies.
Businesses can apply for a grant until Monday, June 8.
AP-NORC Poll: Half Of Americans Would Get A COVID-19 Vaccine
Only about half of Americans say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if the scientists working furiously to create one succeed, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
That’s surprisingly low considering the effort going into the global race for a vaccine against the coronavirus that has sparked a pandemic since first emerging from China late last year. But more people might eventually roll up their sleeves: The poll, released Wednesday, found 31% simply weren’t sure if they’d get vaccinated. Another 1 in 5 said they’d refuse.
Southwest Airlines Launches Sale To Encourage Flying
Southwest Airlines has launched a fare sale and a double-points promotion for rewards members to encourage people to fly again.
On Facebook, executive VP Andrew Watterson said passenger traffic's too low.
"Booking flights to just two-thirds full is important to make feel people feel comfortable traveling again," Watterson said. "But we won't be prosperous until we're at load factors closer to what we saw earlier this year."
Watterson says the airline's encouraged by future booking numbers.
Half Of Employees At Amarillo Plant With COVID-19 Had No Symptoms
Officials in Amarillo estimate roughly half of the workers who tested positive for COVID-19 at a local Tyson meatpacking plant had no symptoms.
“Our staff hand counted and 45% of the employees who tested positive were asymptomatic,” Public Health Director Casie Stoughton told city council members yesterday.
As of yesterday, 60% of the total COVID-19 cases in the Amarillo area are related to the meatpacking industry.
Stoughton added testing at the JBS Beef plant located north of Amarillo was expected to wrap up yesterday.
Both the Tyson and JBS facilities have roughly 3,000 employees.
Baylor Scott & White To Lay Off About 1,200 And Furlough Others
Baylor Scott and White Health System is laying off around 1,200 employees — about 3% of its workforce —- because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Dallas Morning News reports Baylor also will furlough some workers, leave open positions empty and cut the pay of about 300 senior leaders.
The hospital system prepared for a surge in COVID-19 patients by spending $85 million to stockpile supplies, modifying facilities and by developing telehealth options, but Baylor lost revenue when officials suspended non-urgent surgeries and procedures. Patient volumes dropped by up to 90%.
Federal Aid Program To Help Texas Farmers
Texas farmers and ranchers struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic can begin applying for federal aid today.
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program makes $16 billion in direct payments available to U.S. agricultural producers.
Brant Wilbourn with the Texas Farm Bureau said funding could be especially crucial for the state's beef industry after recent significant losses.
“We've definitely had a lot of folks impacted by decreased prices on the cattle market and reduced capacity at those packing plants that have occurred through COVID-19,” Wilbourn said.
To apply, agricultural producers must contact their local Farm Service Agency Center.
Contributed by KUT News.
Overnight Camping Reservations At Texas State Parks Begin Today
Beginning today, Texas State Park visitors can make overnight camping reservations between June 1 and September 7.
The parks will continue operating at limited capacity, and visitors must maintain social distancing, wear face coverings and limit non-family groups to five people or fewer.
In-person interpretive programs and all transactions at the parks are still suspended.
Nature and visitors centers will also remain closed for now.
Six Flags Releases Plan To Reopen
Six Flags released its plan to reopen its Texas theme parks for the summer — should they be allowed to by Gov. Greg Abbott.
The company’s communication manager Sharon Parker released details on social media that include a reservation system to limit the number of people in the park, marked line spacing to maintain social distancing and masks.
“Everyone on the property, team members and guests, need to wear appropriate face-coverings over the nose and mouth,” Parker said. “The only exceptions will be children ages two years and younger, and individuals with breathing problems.”
The company will open its Oklahoma City park next week.
Tourism and hospitality are among the biggest drivers of the Texas economy after oil and gas. It contributes more than $80 billion in direct spending in typical years.
Contributed by KUT News.
Tuesday, May 26
32 New Cases In Collin County
There are 32 additional cases of COVID-19 in the county, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The total case count in the county is now 1,189.
No additional deaths were reported.
62 Additional Cases In Tarrant County
Tarrant County Public Health reported 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count in the county to 5,039.
There have been 144 deaths in the county related to COVID-19.
Denton County Reports 22 New Cases
Denton County Public Health announced 22 additional cases of COVID-19 in the county, bringing the total case count in the county to 1,255. According to public health officials, there are 15 recovered cases of the virus.
190 New Cases In Dallas County
Dallas County Health and Human Services announced 190 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count in the county to 9,188.
There have been 213 deaths related to COVID-19 in the county, including two deaths reported today:
- A man in his 60s who was a resident of the City of Garland and had expired in an area hospital ED. He had underlying high risk health conditions.
- A man in his 70s who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Mesquite and had underlying high risk health conditions.
Gov. Abbott Announces Water Parks, Recreational Sports And Mall Food Courts Set To Reopen
Abbott announced water parks, recreational sport programs for adults, driver’s education programs and food-court dining areas in shopping malls will reopen with limited occupancy and regulations.
Driver education programs and food-court dining areas in shopping malls can reopen immediately, but malls are encouraged to designate at least one person who ensures all health safety measures are being followed. Guidelines include: limiting tables to six people, maintaining six feet of distance between tables, cleaning tables in-between uses and removing items left on tables between uses.
Water parks can reopen on Friday, May 29 at 25% occupancy; however, video arcades in the water parks must remain closed.
On Sunday, May 31, recreational sports programs for adults can resume but games and other competitions will not start until June 15.
Tarrant County Jail Reports First Inmate Death
Officials said the 67-year-old man who died Saturday had underlying health conditions. His name has not been released.
Tarrant County sheriff Bill Waybourn told commissioners the man was booked in at the end of February.
"Whether he was a carrier at that point we're not real sure,” Waybourn said.
After booking, the man was quarantined away from others for two weeks, then moved to a one or two-person cell. Waybourn said movement inside the jail has been restricted to limit exposure of the virus.
"So he had little or no contact with other prisoners,” he said. “Then when he exhibited conditions from then, that's when he was moved to total isolation and then to JPS, which was pretty rapid."
The man officially tested positive for COVID-19 on April 28 and was transferred to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where he died. Waybourn said testing in jails will be expanded soon.
"They've already done it with the prison systems, and they're moving this way within the next couple of weeks,” he said. “Jail standards will come in and test every prisoner that we have. And they will test all of our confinement personnel as well."
In the meantime, commissioner Roy Brooks has asked the county's public health department to begin contact tracing who the man encountered while in the jail.
At the Tarrant County Jail, 42 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. About 100 have been quarantined or isolated, and three are being treated at area hospitals.
Texas Driver License Offices Reopen Today
Driver license offices are partially reopening today. Customers will be able to book appointments up to six months ahead through an online system.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says the opening will happen in four phases and offer limited services.
Phase one reopens offices in Northwest and West Texas. Residents who don't have a Texas driver license, learner permit or ID card, and those needing to take a driving test, will be able to schedule appointments.
Phase 2 will allow offices in South and Central Texas regions to reopen May 29.
On June 3, offices in North and Southeast Texas regions will reopen under phase 3.
The final phase, beginning midsummer, will let customers book an appointment for all services at any driver license office. Those with an expired driver license get an extension until this last phase begins.
Texas DMV offices are also repoening today with new health and safety procedures in place. Offices will operate at 25% capacity and service counters will have plexiglass safety barriers in place.
All in-person services like replacement titles and temporary permits will be available.
The temporary waiver of vehicle title and registration requirements remains in effect. TxDMV will notify the public when normal services have resumed, allowing 60 days from then to conduct any overdue title and registration transactions.
UT-Dallas Creates COVID-19 Dashboard
Researchers from four departments at the University of Texas at Dallas have collaborated on a COVID-19 dashboard.
The tool tracks current virus data and creates epidemiological models.
The information's open to the public, as well as government entities.
The City of Dallas, for example, plans to use the new tool to help make decisions regarding reopening facilities and informing first responders of hotspots.
Monday, May 25
Dallas County Reports 171 New Cases, No Additional Deaths
Dallas County is reporting 171 new cases COVID-19, bringing the total case count in Dallas County to 8,998, including 211 deaths. No new deaths are being reported today.
County officials say of cases requiring hospitalization, two-thirds have been under 65 years of age, and about half do not have high-risk chronic health conditions. Diabetes has been an underlying high-risk health condition reported in about a third of all hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Of the 211 total deaths reported to date, over a third have been associated with long-term care facilities.
“Today’s numbers continue a trend of lower cases than we saw last week and we have a Memorial Day present in that no deaths have been reported,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement.
9 New Cases, No Additional Deaths In Denton County
Denton County officials say there are nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county today. This increases the cumulative, countywide total to 1,233 confirmed cases, including 30 deaths.
Denton County Public Health will provide free drive-through COVID-19 testing on Friday, May 29 at the Colony Five Star Complex at 4100 Blair Oaks Dr. from 8 a.m. – noon. You must be an essential employee, have symptoms or have been symptomatic within the past 7 days in order to get tested. Community members must call to pre-register for testing by calling (940) 349-2585.
6 New COVID-19 Cases In Collin County
Collin County officials are reporting six new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total countywide case count to 1,157, including 33 deaths.
According to data from county health officials, 805 people have successfully recovered from the disease, 20 are hospitalized and 299 remain in home isolation.
Education Leaders Worry About State Funding
The next Texas legislative session may be more than half a year away. But in this era of COVID-19, education leaders are already worried state funding may fall, after drastic drops in revenue.
Dax Gonzalez is Division Director with the Texas Association of School Boards.
"It was evident last session they passed a landmark school finance bill and set aside quite a significant amount of money for public schools. The question is can they support it?” Gonzalez said. “Oil is down, sales tax revenues are down. The rainy day fund is one way to help get through this downturn. I don’t think they will take this as an opportunity to tear down schools."
Nine years ago, in tough economic times, the Texas legislature cut $5.4 billion from the education budget. It took nearly a decade to restore much of that money.
Memorial Day Events Adapt To COVID-19
Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville livestreamed its annual remembrance ceremony.
Chaplain Major Nathan Tucker gave the keynote address — asking people to think of fallen service members during this time of fear.
"We as Americans would do well to remember the selflessness of the brave, who gave up their own comforts, answered this nation's call and gave their lifeblood for the freedom of our children,” Tucker said.
Other events are still happening in person — with some changes. The annual Carry The Load Memorial March in Dallas became a memorial drive with participants staying in their cars.
Governor Expects Schools To Reopen in August
The Governor says children should be able to return to schools by August.
"There would greater sanitization, certain distancing practices, etc. to make sure that they are having school in ways that prevent the spread of COVID-19. As well as incorporating occasional distance learning,” Gov. Abbott told WFAA.
He says his office and the education commissioner are developing strategies for schools to open safely.
Texas Driver License Offices Reopen Tuesday
Driver license offices are partially reopening beginning tomorrow. Customers will be able to book appointments up to six months ahead through an online system.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says the opening will happen in four phases and offer limited services.
Phase one reopens offices in Northwest and West Texas. Residents who don't have a Texas driver license, learner permit or ID card, and those needing to take a driving test, will be able to schedule appointments.
Phase 2 will allow offices in South and Central Texas regions to reopen May 29.
On June 3, offices in North and Southeast Texas regions will reopen under phase 3.
The final phase, beginning midsummer, will let customers book an appointment for all services at any driver license office. Those with an expired driver license get an extension until this last phase begins.
Texas DMV offices are also repoening Tuesday with new health and safety procedures in place. Offices will operate at 25% capacity and service counters will have plexiglass safety barriers in place.
All in-person services like replacement titles and temporary permits will be available.
The temporary waiver of vehicle title and registration requirements remains in effect. TxDMV will notify the public when normal services have resumed, allowing 60 days from then to conduct any overdue title and registration transactions.
Museum of Fine Arts In Houston First Major U.S. Arts Institution To Reopen
The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston became the first major arts institution in the country to reopen its doors since the pandemic. Museum directors have put social distancing and other safety measures in place.
Before checking out the galleries, visitors at the museum will have to first get their temperature checked. Everyone has to wear a face mask. No food, drinks or large bags are allowed, and both the cafe and coat check are closed.
Technically Texas Gov. Greg Abbott allowed cultural institutions in the state to reopen May 1 with limited capacity — but most have waited. Several other museums in Texas are planning to resume in-person visits later this month.
Sunday, May 24
Dallas County Reports 80% Of Hospitalized Cases Are Essential Workers
Dallas County Health and Human Services reports that in people with COVID-19 who required hospitalization and reported employment, over 80% have been critical infrastructure workers, from sectors like health care, transportation, food and agriculture, public works, finance, communications, clergy, first responders and other essential workers, DCHHS says.
The county also reports 178 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the county's total case count to 8,827. One additional death — a woman in her 70s who lived in a long-term care facility in Mesquite — was also reported. The county's total case count is now 8,827 and its death total is 211.
Two-thirds of cases requiring hospitalization have been under 65 years of age. About half do not have high-risk chronic health conditions, but of those who do, diabetes has been reported in about one-third of all hospitalized COVID-19 cases.
Collin County Adds 15 New Cases
Collin County has reported 15 new cases of COVID-19 as of 3:30 p.m., bringing its current case count to 315 and the total/overall case number to 1,151.
On Saturday, the county had reported four new cases. Collin County has had 33 total deaths.
Denton County Reports 12 New Cases
Denton County Public Health reported 12 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The county's cumulative total — people who currently have the virus plus those who have recovered or died — is now 1,224.
There were seven new cases reported on Saturday. The county has had 30 deaths from the virus.
Read More: A Timeline Of COVID-19's Spread In North Texas
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