State health officials reported 10,158 new novel coronavirus cases, along with 130 additional deaths and a record-high number 10,658 of hospitalizations.
This new data brings the statewide total of cases to 317, 730, including 3,865 deaths and 169,581 recoveries.
Health officials said the 7-day average of daily new cases has dropped for the first time since July 5.
Friday, state health officials reported the deadliest day since the pandemic began with 174 deaths and said this has been the deadliest week in Dallas County.
Top updates for Saturday, July 18:
- Lawmakers return Monday to Washington to try to pull the country back from the looming COVID-19 cliff. As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell prepares to roll out his $1 trillion-plus proposal, he acknowledges it will not have full support.
- Deadlines loom as the $600 weekly federal benefits now received by tens of millions of unemployed workers are set to expire this month.
Tarrant County to offer free saliva COVID-19 testing
The City of Fort Worth announced it’s partnering with Tarrant County to launch a pilot program in which residents can sign up to receive a free COVID-19 saliva test next week.
The City says the tests will be conducted by appointment only starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 21 at J.P. Elder Middle School, located at 709 N.W. 21st Street. There will be 300 tests available per day.
The new testing opportunity comes as city leaders address the need for more COVID-19 testing as cases continue to rise across the county.
Saturday, health officials reported 288 newly confirmed cases and five more deaths.
If you would like to get tested, you can register online at https://covidtesting.tarrantcounty.com beginning Sunday, July 19. If you don’t have access to a computer, you may call 817-248-6299 to schedule an appointment.
Dallas County reports 1,031 cases, 9 deaths
Dallas County health officials announced 1,031 newly confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, and nine additional deaths Saturday.
Health officials said the deaths include:
- A Dallas man in his 30s, who was critically ill and had underlying health conditions.
- A Dallas man in his 50s, who was critically ill and did not have underlying health conditions.
- A man in his 60s, who was an inmate at a correctional facility in Seagoville. He was critically ill and had underlying health conditions.
- A Mesquite man in his 70s, who was critically ill and had underlying health conditions.
- A Dallas man in his 70s, who was critical ill and had underlying health conditions.
- A Mesquite woman in her 70s, who was critically ill and had high-risk underlying health conditions.
- A Dallas man in his 70s, who was critically ill and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
- A Dallas man in his 80s, who was critically ill and had underlying health conditions.
- A Richardson woman in her 90s, who had been critically and did not have underlying health conditions.
The newly confirmed cases bring the countywide total to 40, 222, including 523 deaths.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins tweeted, “All this is strong indication that you should wear a mask when outside your home, and avoid any business where masks are not being worn 100% of the time.”
Denton County reports 122 new cases
Denton County Public Health announced 122 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases Saturday, bringing the countywide total to 4,887 cases, including 42 deaths.
Health officials also reported that 77 more people have recovered from COVID, bringing the total to 2,687 recoveries.
85 babies in Nueces County test positive for COVID-19
At a briefing at Corus Christi City Hall Friday, Health Director Annette Rodriguez announced the news on the babies, all of whom are below 1 year old.
Researchers estimated that 1 in every eight residents in the Coastal Bend is actively infected with COVID-19.