This story is from May 9. For updates from May 10, click here.
Eight more Dallas County residents have died from COVID-19, including a man in his 30s who was found dead inside his home, officials confirmed Saturday.
Health officials say all of the other victims had been critically ill at local hospitals before they died:
- A Dallas man in his 50s.
- A Cockrell Hill man in his 50s.
- A Dallas man in his 60s who lived at a long-term care facility.
- A Balch Springs woman in her 70s.
- A Dallas man in his 80s who lived at a long-term care facility.
- A Richardson woman in her 80s who lived at a long-term care facility.
- A Farmers Branch woman in her 80s.
This brings the countywide death toll to 143. Of the deaths reported to date, officials say more than a third have been associated with long-term care facilities.
Saturday’s case numbers also closed out a week in which Dallas County has seen more positive cases than ever before, Judge Clay Jenkins said.
County officials confirmed that 250 more people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the countywide total to 5,619.
"Residents should continue to avoid crowds, practice six-foot distancing, wear a cloth covering at businesses and on public transportation and practice good hygiene," Jenkins stated.
Top updates for Saturday, May 9:
- The Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency authorization for a COVID-19 antigen test.
- Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax has announced that 500 municipal employees will be furloughed through at least July 31.
- Hawaii on Friday reported no new case of the coronavirus for the first time in nearly two months.
- The NBA took tiny steps toward a return to normalcy, as a small number of practice facilities reopened for workouts Friday.
For a daily roundup of the biggest coronavirus news from around North Texas, sign up for the WFAA COVID-19 email newsletter.
Tarrant County surpasses 100 deaths related to coronavirus
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Tarrant County has surpassed 100. Saturday afternoon, health officials confirmed six more deaths, bringing the countywide total to 101.
"This virus continues to take a toll in our community, and we are sad to report more deaths," said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja.
Officials say the victims include a man in his 70s, a woman in her 70s, a man in his 80s, and two women in their 80s. They are all residents of Fort Worth. A man in his 60s from Arlington also died.
The six victims all had underlying health conditions, officials say.
In addition to the new deaths reported Saturday, health officials also confirmed that 83 more people have tested positive for COVID-19.
So far, 779 residents in Tarrant County have recovered from the disease.
Denton County reports 12 new cases
Denton County health officials confirmed 12 new cases of the novel coronavirus Saturday. This brings the total county case count to 914.
Health officials reported eight more people have recovered from the virus, bringing the countywide total to 436.
New testing site opens in South Dallas
Kroger opened a new free drive-thru testing site Saturday morning in South Dallas. It is located at the CitySquare parking lot at 1610 Malcolm X Boulevard.
Self-swab testing for COVID-19 is available from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Mondays.
The location is part of a public-private partnership between the City of Dallas, Dallas County, CitySquare, and Kroger Health.
Earlier this week, a self-swab testing site also opened at J.P Elder Middle School in Fort Worth.
The opening of the new Dallas testing site comes one day after Dallas County tied its deadliest day during the COVID-19 pandemic with 10 deaths.
Friday afternoon, Tarrant County also reported its highest number of single-day cases at 171.
Daily hospital capacity numbers
The city of Dallas released its hospital capacity numbers on Friday, which includes capacity from 25 hospitals.
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:
- Gas prices rise as states reopen
- A salon owner was forced to layoff all of her stylists due to COVID-19, by Friday they were all set up to work again
- COVID-19 testing site opens in South Dallas
- VERIFY: The 'Plandemic' documentary is full of misinformation
- Black hairstylist shamed over salon ad, as white Dallas salon owner praised for reopening
- Rising meat prices leave Texas barbecue joints feeling the heat
