Today, Health officials said Dallas County set a new single-day record for reported COVID-19 cases with 1,974. Officials said of that total 1,646 cases have been confirmed and 328 cases are probable.
Health officials also reported an additional 15 deaths.
The deaths include:
- A Cedar Hill man in his 40s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- An Irving woman in her 50s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Dallas man in his 50s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Grand Prairie man in his 50s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Dallas man in his 60s, who didn’t have any underlying high-risk health conditions
- Two Dallas men in their 60s, who both had underlying high-risk health conditions
- Two Dallas men in their 70s, who both had underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Balch Springs man in his 70s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- An Irving woman in her 70s, who didn’t have any underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Dallas woman in her 80s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Dallas woman in her 90s
- Two Dallas men in their 90s, who both had underlying high-risk health conditions
“For the week thus far, we’ve reported 40 deaths, which medical modelers predicted as the cases began to rise several weeks earlier,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said.
With the upcoming holidays, health experts and city officials are asking people to keep their celebrations small and stay within their “bubbles”.
“In this time of a worldwide pandemic and national emergency, we ask more of patriotic Americans,” said Jenkins. He continues to warn citizens to follow science, wear masks, avoid crowds and social distance.
The positivity rate of COVID-19 remains high at 15.3%.
Dallas County health officials reported Friday there are currently 707 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Dallas County.
The last time the county had more than 700 hospitalizations was July 28, when there were 700 people hospitalized.
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Tarrant County reports 1,412 new cases
Tarrant County officials are reporting four additional coronavirus deaths and 1,412 new cases Friday.
The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 rose from 764 to 782 on Friday, according to Tarrant County data.
Those who died include two Fort Worth men in their 80s, a Bedford man in his 80s and a Fort Worth man in his 70s. Health officials said the men had underlying high-risk conditions.
The county has confirmed 822 total deaths from COVID-19.
The recent spike in coronavirus cases has prompted Fort Worth officials to urge all residents to stay home.
This comes with less than a week until Thanksgiving and just days after officials in Tarrant County issued a public health warning to due hospitalization rates.
"We must be purposeful and immediate to take action and urge everyone to stay at home as much as possible," said Brandon Bennett, Fort Worth Public Health Director.
Denton County breaks single-day record
For the second day in a row, Denton County health officials say the record for COVID-19 cases reported in a single day has been broken.
Denton County Public Health reported 405 cases of COVID-19 Thursday afternoon, of which 272 are active. This brings the countywide total to 21,144 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 16,502 recoveries since tracking began in March.
DCPH will host a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing center on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at University of North Texas’ Discovery Park at 3940 N. Elm Street in Denton. Eligible community members must reside in Denton County, pre-register by calling 940-349-2585, and have not previously tested positive for COVID-19. Appointments are available starting at 8 a.m.
Kroger offering rapid antibody testing in North Texas
Kroger announced Friday that rapid antibody testing is now available at all of its D-FW stores.
In a news release, Kroger said the tests are available for $25 and typically provide results within 15 minutes.
Anyone who may have been infected with coronavirus and is not currently experiencing symptoms is eligible for the test.
The antibody tests are conducted using a finger-prick blood sample.
SMU vs. Houston football game rescheduled to Dec. 5
The American Athletic Conference stated Friday that SMU will now host Houston on Dec. 5.
Earlier this week, Houston announced the game was postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases within the Cougars' football program.
The game was originally scheduled for this Saturday.