This story is from May 15. To read the latest updates from May 16, click here.
Texas recorded its deadliest day of the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday with state officials reporting 58 deaths.
This comes just a few days before the next reopening phase of the economy.
Beginning Monday, the next wave of businesses will reopen in Texas. This includes gyms throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Under Gov. Greg Abbott's latest orders, gyms are allowed to operate at 25% occupancy.
The governor said all equipment must be cleaned in between use and people must wear gloves while working out.
Nonessential manufacturing and offices can also reopen on May 18, with proper social distancing and sanitation, the governor said.
RELATED: Here's how hospitalization rates, new cases are trending in North Texas' four biggest counties
Top updates for Friday, May 15:
- The Democratic-controlled House is pressing ahead Friday with votes on another massive rescue bill that would pump almost $1 trillion to state and local governments.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent an alert to doctors that warns of an inflammatory syndrome in children believed to be connected to the coronavirus pandemic.
For a daily roundup of the biggest coronavirus news from around North Texas, sign up for the WFAA COVID-19 email newsletter.
Dallas County reports 199 new cases, 5 deaths
Dallas County Health and Human Services announced 199 additional cases of COVID-19 and five additional deaths.
Officials say the five victims who died include a Mesquite woman in her 60s, a Grand Prairie woman in her 60s, a Grand Prairie man in his 60s, a woman in her 60s, who was a resident at a long-term facility in Mesquite, and an Irving man in his 80s, who was a resident of a long-term facility.
Dallas County health officials have confirmed 7,036 cases and 164 deaths since testing began in March.
“Today’s number is significantly lower than yesterday’s. It’s too early to call this a trend but we will anxiously watch for the next few days to see if this is signaling a decline from our plateau around 250 cases a day that we’ve been at for the last 10 days,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
Health officials say of the total cases requiring hospitalization, over 80% have been critical infrastructure workers, with a broad range of occupations – healthcare, transportation, food, public works, finance, clergy, communications, first responders, and other essential jobs.
Health officials say of the total cases requiring hospitalization, two-thirds of patients have been younger than 65 and about 50% of them did not have underlying health conditions.
Diabetes remains an underlying health condition that has been seen in about a third of hospitalized patients, officials say.
Denton County reports 24 new cases
Friday, Denton County Public Health announced 24 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. This increases the countywide total to 1,040 cases since testing began.
DCPH is also reported eight more people have recovered from COVID-19, bringing the county's total to 537 recoveries.
Collin County reports 15 new cases, 1 death
Collin County health officials announced one new death and 15 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the county’s overall total to 1,008 confirmed positive cases.
Officials said that 685 people have recovered. There are currently 11 people in the hospital and 281 in home isolation.
So far, there have been 31 deaths related to the coronavirus in Collin County.
Ellis County reports 6 new cases, 8 recoveries
Ellis County public health officials confirm that six additional residents have tested positive and eight people have recovered.
Those that positive include a 52-year-old man from Glenn Heights, a 20-year-old man and 69-year-old man from Ennis, a 53-year-old man from Red Oak, and a 62-year-old woman and 63-year-old man of Waxahachie.
County health officials have confirmed 265 cases of COVID-19 and 11 deaths since testing started in March.
Daily hospital capacity numbers
The city of Dallas released the following numbers as reported Thursday by 25 hospitals.
- Total beds: 5,704
- Beds occupied: 3,642
- Total ICU beds: 823
- ICU beds occupied: 549
- Total ventilators: 945
- Ventilators in use: 329
Health experts recommend taking the following actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Practice "social distancing" and stay at least 6 feet away from others and avoid large public gatherings
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the U.S.
More on WFAA:
- Large-scale vaccine testing expected by July, NIH director says
- 'This is a haven': Retired educators tending to Dallas school garden amid coronavirus pandemic
- Fort Worth's Bird Cafe is the latest coronavirus economy casualty
- Right on the Money: Some will be exempt when work search requirements resume for Texans on unemployment