This story will be updated throughout the day as new information is released.
Reports of high novel coronavirus case numbers continued in North Texas on Tuesday, with both Dallas and Tarrant counties reporting more than 1,000 additional positive tests.
Dallas County reported 1,947 new cases while, Tarrant County had 1,544.
That marks 11 straight days of case numbers above 1,000 for Dallas County, and six straight days Tarrant County.
Since Nov. 3, Tarrant County has confirmed more than 1,000 daily cases 30 times, while Dallas County has 28 times, according to case data.
Between the two counties, there were 18 additional deaths -- 12 in Tarrant County and six in Dallas County.
Of the six Dallas County deaths, all lived in Dallas, had underlying conditions, and had been critically ill in area hospitals. They included a woman in her 40s, two men in their 50s, a woman in her 60s, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 did go down slightly in Tarrant County, from 958 on Monday to 919.
While vaccines have arrived in North Texas, local leaders reminded residents that they won't be broadly available for some months.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins to continue wearing masks, avoiding gatherings, and following social distancing guidelines.
"Please do your part and please have a safe and meaningful holiday season," he said in a release.
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Collin County has 5th straight day with more than 350 hospitalizations
Collin County health officials reported there are currently 379 people hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Tuesday.
The county's hospitals have had more than 350 hospitalizations in the past five days. Before this stretch, that mark had only been reached once, on Dec. 7.
State health officials also reported 654 new cases Tuesday, bringing the total count to 33,522 since tracking began in March.
Denton County reports more than 800 cases for 3rd time in last 4 days
Denton County reported 863 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday. The county has reported more than 800 cases in three of the last four days.
There have been 31,587 total cases in the county since tracking began in March.
County health officials also reported 141 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 Tuesday. There have been more than 100 people hospitalized in Denton County every day since Nov. 10.
There are currently eight ICU beds available in Denton County with 90.7% of the beds occupied.
Hunt County has daily record 183 cases Tuesday
State health officials reported 183 new COVID-19 cases in Hunt County on Tuesday, a new county record.
The previous record happened on Nov. 18 when there were 115 new cases.
The county currently has a 14-day average of 34 new cases a day. That is also a Hunt County record.
Hill County has more than 20% of total cases reported in last 5 days
Hill County had 101 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, according to state health officials.
In the past five days, Hill County has had 357 new COVID-19 cases. That makes up 22% of the county's 1634 total reported cases since tracking began in March.
Grayson County in midst of worst five-week stretch of COVID-19 cases to date
State health officials reported 201 new COVID-19 cases on Grayson County Tuesday, the fourth-highest daily count in the county.
The current daily record happened on Dec. 1 when the state reported 257 new cases in the county.
In the past five weeks, Grayson County is averaging 68 new cases a day. That is a Grayson County record.
Vaccine delivered to three additional North Texas medical centers
Nineteen hospitals in Texas are expected to receive shipments of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday. Four hospitals, including Methodist Dallas Medical Center, received and administered the vaccine to frontline staff Monday.
Parkland, UT-Southwestern, and Texas Health Harris Methodist in Fort Worth are among the hospitals in North Texas that expect to receive the vaccine Tuesday.
SMU withdraws from Frisco Bowl due to COVID-19
The Southern Methodist University football team has been forced to opt-out of playing in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl due to COVID-19 cases.
The Mustangs were scheduled to play Saturday against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners. Now, the bowl itself has been canceled, ESPN officials said.
SMU officials announced Tuesday morning that after testing and contact tracing, a number of student-athletes and staff members' results came back positive.