Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is urging residents to push through COVID fatigue and “go back to the things that we know will keep us safe,” as cases continue to rise across the county.
Wednesday afternoon, Dallas County health officials announced 624 positive cases of COVID-19 and three additional deaths.
The deaths included two Dallas women in their 60s, who both had underlying high-risk health conditions; and an Irving man in his 80s, who did not have underlying health conditions, according to officials.
The countywide total now stands at 94,837 confirmed cases, including 1,104 confirmed deaths, officials say.
Jenkins said the number of school-aged children with COVID-19 has also doubled over the last three weeks from 251 cases to 493 cases.
“The most recent medical models indicate that we’ll have above 1,000 new cases per day by Thanksgiving unless we change our behavior,” said Jenkins.
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Denton County reports 156 cases, 4 deaths
Denton County Public Health says four more residents have died from COVID-19, and 156 new cases have been confirmed Wednesday.
Officials said the deaths include:
A man in his 70s, who was a resident of Saddle Brook Memory Care in Frisco
A man in his 70s, who was a resident of Mayberry Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care in Denton
Two women over 80, who were residents of Saddle Brook Memory Care in Frisco
DCPH says this brings the countywide total to 16,592, including 127 confirmed deaths and 13,592 recoveries.
DCPH will host a free COVID-19 testing drive-thru Friday, Oct. 30 at University of North Texas’ Discovery Park at 3940 N. Elm Street in Denton. Eligible community members must live in Denton County and must pre-register by calling 940-349-2585. The testing site will open at 8 a.m.
Collin County adds 132 cases, 5 deaths
Collin County health officials reported 132 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, and five additional deaths. This brings the countywide total to 18,015 confirmed cases, including 180 confirmed deaths and 17,019 recoveries.
Officials said there are currently 996 active cases of COVID-19, of which 182 residents are hospitalized in the county.
CVS to offer rapid-result testing at 21 locations in Texas
CVS announced Wednesday that nearly 100 COVID-19 locations throughout the country, including 21 in Texas, will offer rapid-result testing starting this week.
The rapid-results tests are free to patients who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.
During the testing process, patients will perform a self-swab test while an employee observes. CVS says the entire process from collecting the swab to receiving the results, will take about 30 minutes.
People must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment. Anyone younger than 15 years old must have a guardian with them.
Patients who test negative for coronavirus are still able to schedule an appointment at the MinuteClinic to see if a rapid-result test for flu and strep would be appropriate for their symptoms.
Below is a list of 21 CVS locations in Texas that will offer rapid testing.
Texas Woman’s University to hold drive-thru graduation ceremonies
In efforts to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Woman’s University has announced it will hold drive-thru graduation ceremonies in December.
The ceremonies will be held for 2020 graduates in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Houston. Graduates in the D-FW region will have their drive-thru ceremony at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
Graduates will be allowed up to two carloads at each event. University officials said during the ceremony, graduates will step out of their vehicles in full regalia, receive their diploma covers, then later pose for photos.
All of the ceremonies will be live-streamed for family and friends.
Tarrant County announces 5 new deaths
Tarrant County health officials announced five new COVID-19 deaths Wednesday.
The victims include two Fort Worth women in their 70s, two Fort Worth men in their 60s, and another man from Fort Worth in his 50s.
Officials said all of the patients had underlying health conditions.
The number of patients in the hospital due to COVID-19 increased from 528 Tuesday to 535 people Wednesday.
The county has reported 728 confirmed deaths and 52,070 recoveries since tracking began in March.
North Texas at UTEP postponed because of COVID-19
Two Conference USA games scheduled for the weekend have been postponed because of COVID-19 issues.
No. 19 Marshall was scheduled to play Friday night at Florida International, but FIU had to call off the game because of a lack of available scholarship players. North Texas at UTEP was also called off.
A surge in COVID-19 cases in El Paso, Texas, has led to a stay-at-home order in the city. The schools have said they are
"We are disappointed to have our first postponement of a Conference USA game, but the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and coaches is our number one priority," UNT President Neal Smatresk said in a written statement.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.