The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Dallas County continues to decrease compared to last week.
Thursday afternoon, county health officials reported that 183 residents have tested positive and 7 more people have died.
"Today’s numbers continue a trend that we’re seeing this week of less positive cases. We also recorded seven more deaths today, bringing our number of total deaths up to 203," Judge Clay Jenkins tweeted.
The latest victims that died include residents from Dallas, Mesquite, and Lancaster, with their ages ranging from 50s to 90s. Three of the patients lived in long-term care facilities.
"Our hospital COVID-19 beds, ICU admissions, and emergency room visits for COVID-19 symptoms have remained flat," Jenkins said.
There have been a total of 8,273 cases confirmed countywide since testing began in March.
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Denton County reports 27 new cases, 1 death
Denton County Public Health officials announced Thursday a woman in her 70s died from COVID-19. The victim was a resident at the Denton Rehabilitation Center.
Officials also announced 27 new laboratory confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the overall total to 1,188 confirmed cases since tracking began in March.
DCPH also reported 18 more people have recovered.
Collin County reports 28 new cases
Collin County health officials announced 28 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, bringing the county’s overall total to 1,118 confirmed positive cases.
Officials said that 754 people have recovered.
There are currently 16 people in the hospital.
So far, there have been 31 deaths related to the coronavirus in Collin County.
Gov. Abbott terminates all air travel restrictions
The governor has terminated air travel restrictions that were originally in effect to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Previously, anyone who traveled into DFW Airport or Dallas Love Field was required to self-isolate for 14-days upon their arrival to Texas.
This included visitors from various areas in the country that at one point had a high number of coronavirus cases, such as Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, and Miami.
All air-travelers from California, Connecticut, Washington, New Jersey and New York were also included in the previous order.
Abbott's latest order includes immediate termination for any mandatory self-quarantine that is already in effect.
Texas driver's license offices will reopen in phases
The Texas Department of Public Safety will begin to reopen driver license offices region by region starting next week, according to the governor's office.
The four-phase openings will begin Tuesday and services will be limited.
Customers will be able to book appointments for up to six months in advance, according to a news release.
North Texas is part of phase 3 which means on June 3, offices in DPS’ North and Southeast Texas regions will reopen with limited services.
Customers who currently do not possess a Texas DL, CDL, learner permit, or ID card, as well those who are in need of a driving test, can begin scheduling appointments in these two regions at 1 p.m on May 29.
Dallas County extends moratorium on evictions to June 15
Judge Clay Jenkins has extended Dallas County's moratorium on evictions until June 15 due to the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Jenkins is ordering all eviction cases for non-payment of rent filed after March 27 to be set no sooner than June 15.
In a news release, Jenkins said the city can't afford more homelessness because of the COVID-19 virus.
FAN EXPO Dallas canceled
FAN EXPO Dallas 2020 has officially been canceled, event organizers announced Thursday.
The expo was originally postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Event organizers say FAN EXPO Dallas will return next year on May 14, 15, and 16.
Fans have the choice of transferring their tickets to use at next year’s expo or requesting a refund. All refunds can be requested online.
A new Dallas Fan Festival will take place this year from October 16 to 18 at the Irving Convention Center. Details for this event will be announced soon, organizers say.
Lone Star Park to host races without spectators
Thoroughbred racing resumes Friday at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie. There will be no spectators.
The facility's bar, Bar & Book, will reopen Friday at 25% capacity and "all appropriate physical distancing measures in place," a spokesperson said.
For more on the reopening, go to lonestarpark.com.
Daily hospital capacity numbers
Twenty-five hospitals reported ventilator and bed capacity numbers to Mayor Eric Johnson's office on Wednesday:
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