DALLAS — Dallas County health officials reported 17 new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total to 1,162 since the first death in March.
One of the deaths was a post-partum Dallas woman in her 30s. She had been critically ill in an area hospital after giving birth. She had underlying high-risk health conditions.
The other deaths include a Dallas man in his 40s, a Mesquite woman in her 50s, two Dallas women in their 50s, a Garland man in his 50s, three Dallas men in their 60s, a Farmers Branch man in his 60s, a Dallas man in his 70s, a Dallas woman in her 70s, a Lancaster woman in her 70s, a Richardson woman in her 80s and a Dallas man in his 80s. All had underlying high-risk health conditions.
Wednesday's deaths also included a Dallas man in his 60s and a Dallas woman in her 60s who did not have underlying high-risk health conditions.
Dallas County health officials reported 786 confirmed COVID-19 cases Wednesday, the second straight day with less than 1000 new cases.
Judge Clay Jenkins tweeted that the lower numbers the past two days are related to an issue with the state's electronic laboratory reporting system.
Tarrant County reports record-high 2,112 new COVID-19 cases
Tarrant County health officials reported 2,112 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, a new county daily record.
This is the first time a county in North Texas has reported more than 2,000 cases in a single day without a backlog.
Tarrant County has now had 85,759 COVID-19 cases reported since tracking began in March.
County health officials also reported there are 794 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday, breaking the record set on Tuesday with 778.
Here are how many new COVID-19 cases have been added in Tarrant County each day the past week:
- Wednesday -- 2,112
- Tuesday -- 732
- Monday -- 900
- Sunday -- 1,523
- Saturday -- 1,061
- Friday -- 1,402
- Thursday -- 1,372
Denton County sets record-high COVID-19 hospitalizations Wednesday
Denton County health officials reported there are currently 122 hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Wednesday, a new county record. The previous record happened on Monday with 121 hospitalizations.
Denton County has now had more than 100 hospitalizations for nine straight days, breaking the previous record of five days that happened from July 14 to July 18.
Crowley ISD suspends in-person learning due to staff shortages
Crowley Independent School District announced it will hold remote learning for all of its students until Nov. 30.
The district said it's experiencing staffing shortages due to an increase in cases and close contacts being sent into quarantine.
In efforts to protect its students, staff, and community, virtual learning for all students starting will begin on Nov. 19 and continuing through Nov. 24.
Thanksgiving break is Nov. 25-27 and then in-person students will be allowed to return to school Nov. 30, according to the district.
For a daily roundup of the latest news from around North Texas and beyond, sign up for the WFAA email newsletter.
Mayor Price's husband tests positive for coronavirus
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price's husband has tested positive for COVID-19. The mayor tweeted the news Wednesday morning.
According to her Twitter account, Price has been tested and is awaiting the results. At this time, she is in quarantine and will continue to work from home for the rest of this week.
Price also had to quarantine at the end of last month after coming in close contact with another person who had coronavirus. Her test results came back negative for that incident.
BA, American Airlines plan voluntary COVID-19 testing plan
British Airways says it will start testing passengers flying from the U.S. to London’s Heathrow Airport for COVID-19 in an effort to persuade the British government it should scrap rules requiring most international travelers to quarantine for 14 days.
The airline said Tuesday the pilot program will offer voluntary testing starting Nov. 25 in partnership with American Airlines for passengers flying to Heathrow from New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
Passengers will be tested 72 hours before departure, on arrival at Heathrow, and again three days after arrival.
British Airways says its goal is to show that a single test 72 hours before takeoff is enough to ensure travelers aren’t carrying COVID-19, allowing authorities to end the quarantine requirement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.