Dallas County Reports 242 New Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases
Posted on 05/07/2021
City of Dallas

As of 12:00 pm, May 6, 2021, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 242 additional positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Dallas County, 196 confirmed cases, and 46 probable cases. There is a cumulative total of 258,326 confirmed cases (PCR test). There is a cumulative total of 41,703 probable cases (antigen test). A total of 3,921 Dallas County residents have lost their lives due to COVID-19 illness.

Covid 19 Risklevel Extremecaution

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is providing initial vaccinations to those most at risk of exposure to COVID-19 and over 450,000 total doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered at the Fair Park mega-vaccine clinic, which started operations on Monday, January 11. Vaccine operations for both first and second doses at Fair Park will resume on Friday.

The additional deaths being reported today include the following:

  • A man in his 80's who was a resident of the City of Balch Springs. He had been hospitalized and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 80's who was a resident of the city of Grand Prairie. He expired in hospice care and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 90's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high-risk health conditions.

To date, a total of 61 cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7; six B.1.429 variants; two B.1.526 variants; one P.1 variant; and one P.2 variant have been identified in residents of Dallas County. Five have been hospitalized with 3 requiring intensive care unit admission, and one has died. Seven had history of recent domestic travel outside of Texas. One case of B.1.1.7 is a likely instance of reinfection with COVID-19, occurring over 6 months after an initial PCR-confirmed infection. The provisional seven-day average of daily new confirmed and probable cases (by date of test collection) for CDC week 16 was 207, which is a rate of 7.9 daily new cases per 100,000 residents. Of symptomatic patients presenting to area hospitals in week 16 (week ending 4/24/21), 9.5% of respiratory specimens tested positive SARS-CoV-2.

During the past 30 days, there were 1,064 COVID-19 cases in school-aged children and staff reported from 390 separate K-12 schools in Dallas County. There are currently 28 active long-term care facility outbreaks. A cumulative total of 4,361 residents and 2,455 healthcare workers in long-term facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 1,081 have been hospitalized and 769 have died. About 20% of all deaths reported to date have been associated with long-term care facilities. Eleven outbreaks of COVID-19 in congregate-living facilities (e.g. homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes) have been reported in the past 30 days. A cumulative total of 593 residents and 220 staff members in congregate-living facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Of all confirmed cases requiring hospitalization to date, more than two-thirds have been under 65 years of age. Diabetes has been an underlying high-risk health condition reported in about a third of all hospitalized patients with COVID-19. New cases are being reported as a daily aggregate, with more detailed summary reports updated Tuesday and Friday evenings, available at https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/2019-novel-coronavirus/daily-updates.php.

Local health experts use hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and ER visits as three of the key indicators as part of determining the COVID-19 Risk Level (color-coded risk) and corresponding guidelines for activities during our COVID-19 response. There were 186 COVID-19 patients in acute care in Dallas County for the period ending on May 5. The number of emergency room visits for COVID-19 like symptoms in Dallas County was 405 for the same time-period, which represents around 14 percent of all emergency department visits in the county. Vaccination is the best way to prevent illness and hospitalization from COVID, protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated as soon as possible. Updated UTSW forecasting reflects a minor decrease within their model with hospitalizations between 140-220 and daily case counts of 210 by May 24th. If vaccination rates continue to increase, hospitalizations within the model remain low. With a slower pace of vaccination and reduced personal protective measures, the model shows growth. You can find additional information on risk-level monitoring data here.

Covid 19 Actual DeathsCovid 19 ImpatientsCovid 19 ER VisitsCovid 19 ICU Beds

"Today we report an additional 242 new COVID-19 cases and three deaths. As of today, 49.91% of our eligible Dallas County population (16 and older) has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. If you haven't yet received your vaccine, there is sufficient supply at the moment and no reason to delay.

"Our Fair Park site will be open again tomorrow and on Saturday. Tomorrow, we'll administer Moderna first and second doses and Johnson and Johnson, and on Saturday, we'll administer Pfizer first and second doses and Johnson and Johnson. If you are overdue for a second dose, more than 21 days after your first Pfizer dose or more than 28 days after your first Moderna dose, you can come to Fair Park and get your shot. Please make sure you come on a day we're offering the vaccine that you need and bring your vaccination card. Our full schedule can be found here,"said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

All Dallas County COVID-19 Updates and Information can be found here: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/ and all guidance documents can be found here: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/guidance-health.php
Specific Guidance for the Public:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Avoid close contact outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don't live in your household.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others and continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care
  • Wash your hands often and with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children to do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hands. Immediately wash your hands.
  • Monitor your health daily. Be alert for symptoms. Take your temperature and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Additional information is available at the following websites: