This story will be continuously updated on July 13.
Dallas County has reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases Monday for the 11th day in a row.
Health officials reported six new coronavirus-related deaths and 1,114 cases of COVID-19.
The county has tallied 34,914 cases since tracking began in March.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said there is a "rampant community spread" of the virus and urged people to wear a mask to slow the transmission of the disease.
"You are much more likely now to come into contact with someone who has the virus than you were a few months ago during the Safer at Home orders," Jenkins said in a written statement.
In Tarrant County, health officials reported 322 coronavirus cases Monday and no new deaths from the disease.
There have been 272 total coronavirus-related deaths tallied in Tarrant County since tracking began in March and 18,483 COVID-19 total cases.
Hospitalizations in the county from the disease decreased from 694 to 626 patients.
Top updates for Monday, July 13:
- Tuesday is Election Day in Texas for the primary runoffs. Voters will find hand sanitizer, masks and plastic barriers commonplace at the polls as elections administrators across the state and the country prepare for a presidential election year unlike any other.
- As the pandemic continues, many are arguing now is the time to see the internet as a public utility. It's an issue that is especially pressing for school districts as they adjust to teaching in the era of COVID-19.
- Local doctors are warning of the risk of 'COVID parties' after a surge in cases. There's increasing evidence COVID-19 infections don't provide protective immunity.
For a daily roundup of the biggest coronavirus news from around North Texas and beyond, sign up for the WFAA COVID-19 email newsletter.
Collin County reported 2 new coronavirus deaths
Collin County health officials reported Monday two deaths due to COVID-19 that occurred Saturday.
Both people had underlying health conditions, officials.
One was a 61-year-old woman from Plano and the second was a 79-year-old man from McKinney.
There have been 58 deaths from COVID-19 in the county since tracking began in March.
Dallas County has recorded 457 total coronavirus deaths
Dallas County reported six additional coronavirus-related deaths Monday, bringing the countywide total to 457 since March.
About one-third of the county deaths have been linked to long-term care facilities, and a majority of the deaths are of people who had been hospitalized with the disease.
The latest deaths include:
- A Dallas man in his 50s who did not have underlying health conditions
- A Dallas man in his 60s who had underlying health conditions
- A Dallas man in his 60s who did not have underlying health conditions
- A DeSoto man in his 70s who did not have underlying health conditions
- A Dallas man in his 70s who had underlying health conditions
- A Mesquite woman in her 90s who had been a resident of a long-term care facility
Dozens lined up for free Dallas testing hour before site opens
Dozens of people had lined up in their cars to get tested for COVID-19 at the Ellis Davis Field House location Monday morning.
The free testing site does not open to the public until 8 a.m., but a long line had already formed by 7 a.m. at the location.
Gov. Greg Abbott just announced Sunday that federal funding for the testing site had been extended to July 31 after it was set to expire on July 14.
The governor previously secured an extension in June as well, according to a news release from the governor's office.
Anyone can be tested at the Ellis Davis Field House testing location at 9191 South Polk St. in Dallas for free, regardless of where they live. The federal site is currently open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
To find other testing sites, Texans can visit covidtest.tdem.texas.gov.
GrapeFest canceled
The 34th Annual GrapeFest in Grapevine will be canceled, organizers announced.
The wine festival was supposed to be held Sept. 17-20 in downtown Grapevine but was canceled over COVID-19 concerns. The festival is considered the largest of its kind in the Southwest and typically welcomes more than 260,000 visitors.
“GrapeFest is one of Grapevine’s marquee festivals that we take great pride in showcasing not only for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, but to visitors from around the world,” Steve and Maggie Haley, the 34th Annual GrapeFest co-chairpersons, said in a news release. "We now must look forward to GrapeFest 2021.”
New Dallas testing site's equipment stolen
A new walk-up COVID-19 testing site in Pleasant Grove will not open as planned Monday after all the site's equipment was stolen, officials with Parkland Hospital told WFAA.
The site was supposed to open at The Salvation Army’s Pleasant Grove Corps Community Center at 8341 Elam Road in Dallas. But someone broke into the storage for the site overnight Monday and stole all of the testing supplies, a Parkland representative said.
Officials expect to have the site opened up by Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. It will regularly be open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Seagoville federal prison nears 800 active cases
Seagoville Federal Correctional Institute is nearing 800 active cases of COVID-19 among staff and inmates, federal data shows.
It is easily the largest current outbreak at any federal prison in the country.
There are currently 778 inmates and seven staff members with active cases. The facility houses about 1,800 men.
Four staff members have already recovered so far.
Health experts recommend taking the following actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Wear a face covering.
- 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.
- 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.
WFAA Digital Executive Producer Tasha Tsiaperas contributed to this report.
More on WFAA:
- Texas teachers caught in the middle of political battles over schools reopening
- Do we need to shut down again? Local expert says it's time to put a plan in place to slow spread of COVID-19
- Lynn County sheriff dies after battling COVID-19
- MAP: These are the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Dallas-Fort Worth area