Dallas County Reports 160 New Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases
Posted on 05/20/2021
City of Dallas

As of 4:00 pm, May 19, 2021, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 160 additional positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Dallas County, 107 confirmed cases, and 53 probable cases. There is a cumulative total of 259,821 confirmed cases (PCR test). There is a cumulative total of 42,329 probable cases (antigen test). A total of 4,005 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 469,000 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 resumed on Wednesday with extended hours from 8 am - 8 pm.

The additional deaths being reported today include the following:

  • A woman in her 40's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She was found deceased at home and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 50's who was a resident of the City of Mesquite. He expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 60's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 60's who was a resident of the City of Mesquite. He was found deceased at home and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 70's who was a resident of the City of Mesquite. He expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 70's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Dallas. He had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 70's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Addison. She had been hospitalized and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 90's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She expired in hospice and had underlying high-risk health conditions.

One death reported today was of a person who received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine but had underlying high-risk health conditions. Six additional cases of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern have been reported, including four P.1 cases and two B.1.617.2 cases; three of these new cases were under 12 years of age. To date, a total of 87 cases with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern have been identified in residents of Dallas County, including 69 cases of variant B.1.1.7; seven B.1.429 variants; two B.1.526 variants; six P.1 variants; one P.2 variant, and two B.1.617.2 cases. Five have been hospitalized with 3 requiring intensive care unit admission, and one has died. Eight 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 18 was 186, which is a rate of 7.1 daily new cases per 100,000 residents. Over the past 2 weeks, rates of new COVID-19 diagnoses in Cedar Hill, Coppell, and Seagoville have been more than 50% higher than countywide case rates. Rates of new COVID-19 diagnoses in Balch Springs, DeSoto, Mesquite, and Rowlett have been 30% higher than county-wide case rates. Of symptomatic patients presenting to area hospitals in week 18 (week ending 5/8/21), 7.9% of respiratory specimens tested positive SARS-CoV-2.

There are currently 29 active long-term care facility outbreaks. A cumulative total of 4,380 residents and 2,471 healthcare workers in long-term facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 1,101 have been hospitalized and 786 have died. About 20% of all deaths reported to date have been associated with long-term care facilities. Ten 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 621 residents and 223 staff members in congregate-living facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

There are currently 31 active long-term care facility outbreaks. A cumulative total of 4,372 residents and 2,462 healthcare workers in long-term facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 1,090 have been hospitalized and 777 have died. About 20% of all deaths reported to date have been associated with long-term care facilities. Ten 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 621 residents and 223 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. The most recent COVID-19 hospitalization data for Dallas County, as reported to the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council, can be found at www.dallascounty.org/covid-19 under "Monitoring Data," and is updated regularly. This data includes information on the total available ICU beds, suspected and confirmed COVID-19 ER visits in the last 24 hours, confirmed COVID-19 inpatients, and COVID-19 deaths by actual date of death. The most recent forecasting from UTSW can be found here.

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

"Today we report 160 new COVID-19 cases and eight additional deaths. Sadly, today's deaths bring us above 4,000 in Dallas County for the pandemic. Let this somber milestone be a renewed call to encourage those who value your opinion to not delay in getting themselves and their families vaccinated so they can be spared the heartache from the complications of COVID. We also report six new variant cases, most without recent travel history, which unfortunately shows that the variants are circulating in our community.

"Although the numbers are improving and will continue to as more individuals get vaccinated, caution is still required for people who are unvaccinated. It is recommended that unvaccinated individuals wear a mask in indoor settings outside their home for their own protection and for the protection of others. Grace and consideration are needed in our society more than ever. I hope that everyone will see their neighbors in this time, not as someone who disagrees with them on issues, but as a fellow resident and an important part of our community that is in need of grace, kindness, and acceptance from us just as we are in need of grace, kindness and acceptance.

"Please continue to get vaccinated. Don't delay. If you take your medical advice from the doctors, the answer is clear: vaccination is safe and effective and protects against a serious illness. If we all work together, we will defeat COVID and take advantage of an opportunity to improve our quality of life and economy," 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: