The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 5,760 cases Friday and 89 confirmed deaths. There have been 851,572 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state of Texas, including 17,375 deaths and 748,252 recoveries.
Dallas County officials said hospitalizations and emergency room visit are “trending in the wrong direction,” as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the county.
Health officials reported 612 additional positive cases of COVID-19, including two older cases from September. Officials also reported four additional deaths Friday.
The deaths include:
- A Dallas man in his 50s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Dallas man in his 60s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Seagoville man in his 80s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
- A Dallas woman in her 80s, who had underlying high-risk health conditions
The countywide total now stands at 92,197 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1,097 confirmed deaths.
The positivity rate for COVID-19 is 11.3% for symptomatic patients who are arriving at hospitals, county officials said.
There were 406 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in school-aged children in Dallas County, ages 5 to 17, during the week ending on Oct. 10. That's twice as many cases for children compared to the week ending on Sept. 12, county officials said.
Tarrant County reports 848 new cases, 1 death
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in Tarrant County slightly decreased from 472 to 454 patients Friday.
New confirmed coronavirus cases, however, have continued to increase as the week has progressed.
Tarrant County health officials reported 848 new cases Friday. Officials also reported one new COVID-19 death.
The victim was a Fort Worth man in his 60s, who had underlying health conditions.
Tarrant County now has 62,375 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 713 confirmed deaths and 50,328 recoveries since tracking began in March.
Denton County adds 207 cases
Denton County Public Health officials announced 207 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 Friday, of which 159 are considered active. This increases the countywide total to 15,929 confirmed cases, including 13,135 recoveries, officials said.
DCPH is set to host a free drive-thru testing center Tuesday, Oct. 27 at Hawaiian falls at 4400 Paige Road in The Colony. If you’re eligible, you must pre-register by calling 940-349-2585. The testing site will open at 8 a.m.
Collin County adds 195 cases
Collin County health officials reported 195 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the countywide total to 17,443 cases.
Officials said there are currently 875 active cases in the county.
More than $1.5M available for Mesquite residents impacted by pandemic
The City of Mesquite announced Thursday that it has more than $1.5 million for residents financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The assistance program is a part of the Recovery Mesquite campaign and is funded through the CARES Act.
City officials said the funds can be used to pay rent, mortgage, and utilities. If residents are eligible, they can receive up to $1,500 a month for the next six months, according to a news release.
Anyone seeking financial aid is encouraged to apply before Nov. 30. They can contact Catholic Charities Dallas by email at CCDdisaster@ccdallas.org or by calling 214-257-0674.
Assistance is also available for Spanish speakers, residents can reach out to Jasmine Bueno at Sharing Life Community Outreach located at 3544 E. Emporium Circle. She's available from 8:30 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Residents can also email her at jbueno@ccdallas.org to schedule an appointment or for questions on an application.
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Brookside Community Center remains closed after election clerk tests positive
The Brookside Community Center remains closed Friday morning.
This comes after an election clerk at a voting location in Hurst has tested positive for COVID-19, Tarrant County election officials announced Thursday on Twitter.
The lead clerk last worked on Monday at the Brookside Community Center at 1244 Brookside Drive, the Tarrant County elections office said.
People can still head to three nearby sites to vote.
Rain prompts delay at testing site in Frisco
Showers and storms Friday morning have prompted delays at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco.
City officials announced testing is scheduled to resume at 10 a.m., or whenever storms clear the area.
More updates can be found on the City of Frisco's Twitter account.
Dallas mayor helps distribute 5,000 masks to educators and students
Dallas mayor Eric Johnson announced on Friday the donation of 5,000 masks by The Nancy Lieberman Charities.
This is the third time the non-profit organization has made a mask donation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Johnson has asked community partners to help distribute the newly donated masks to Dallas educators and students.
“The COVID-19 pandemic still poses a significant risk to the health, welfare, and economic well-being of our communities,” Mayor Johnson said in a released statement. “Masking up is critical to slowing the spread of this insidious virus and to helping keep our schools and businesses open.”
The masks will be distributed by Pastor Maxie Johnson, a Dallas ISD trustee, and Rev. Donald Parish, Jr., founder and president of A Steady Hand and assistant pastor at True Lee Missionary Baptist Church in South Dallas.
Parish will distribute half of the donated masks to teachers, staff, and students at Dallas ISD schools in South Dallas. Pastor Johnson will give the other 2,500 masks to people in South Oak Cliff.
The Nancy Lieberman Charities previously donated 3,000 masks to the City of Dallas that were used by first responders and staff at the community-based COVID-19 testing sites.
“Our children, teachers, and staff need and deserve to have safe learning environments,” Nancy Lieberman said.
Texas sends more medical forces to virus hot spot in El Paso
Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday announced that Texas is sending more medical reinforcements to the El Paso area in response to the region’s surge of coronavirus cases and the illness the virus causes.
The Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Division of Emergency Management will send more medical personnel and equipment this week to address the surge of COVID-19 cases.
The move comes during the same week that El Paso County reported 3,750 new coronavirus cases, including 1,161 on Thursday. That number accounts for 17.5% of the 21,321 reported this week by the state’s 254 counties.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.