As of 2:00 pm, May 10, 2021, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 188 additional positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Dallas County, 127 confirmed cases, and 61 probable cases. There is a cumulative total of 258,736 confirmed cases (PCR test). There is a cumulative total of 41,891 probable cases (antigen test). A total of 3,934 Dallas County residents have lost their lives due to COVID-19 illness.
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is providing initial vaccinations to those most at risk of exposure to COVID-19 and almost 460, 000 total doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered at the Fair Park mega-vaccine clinic, which started operations on Monday, January 11. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, as of May 9, 62.62% of individuals 65 and older are fully vaccinated in Dallas County.
The additional deaths being reported today include the following:
- 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 Irving. He had been critically ill in an area hospital 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 Lancaster. He had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
- A man in his 70's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He expired at home and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
- A man in his 80'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 90's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She expired at home 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 17 was 214, which is a rate of 8.2 daily new cases per 100,000 residents. Of symptomatic patients presenting to area hospitals in week 17 (week ending 5/1/21), 10.8% 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 31 active long-term care facility outbreaks. A cumulative total of 4,368 residents and 2,460 healthcare workers in long-term facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 1,086 have been hospitalized and 771 have died. About 20% of all deaths reported to date have been associated with long-term care facilities. Twelve 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 598 residents and 221 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 in determining the COVID-19 Risk Level (color-coded risk) and corresponding guidelines for activities during our COVID-19 response. Due to weekend reporting, new data will be available on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.
"Today we report a two-day total of 188 new COVID-19 cases and six additional deaths. Our numbers are dropping because people are getting vaccinated. Vaccination has slowed and if you haven't been vaccinated yet, you are now in the minority of eligible persons for a vaccine as 50.7 percent of our population has now received at least one dose. There are many locations for a vaccine, including Fair Park, which will be open Wednesday 8 am-8 pm with both a two-dose and one-and-done vaccine available. Friday and Saturday, Fair Park will be open 8 am-5 pm. To find a vaccine site near you, you can go to www.vaccinefinder.org.
"If you've already received the vaccine, use your powers of persuasion to convince those who listen to you that now is the time for them to get vaccinated. Every vaccination makes all of us a little safer. It's still important that we follow the CDC guidelines which have loosened in the last few weeks to allow indoor gatherings of fully vaccinated friends. Continue washing your hands, wearing your mask around indoor crowds outside of your home, and keeping safety top of mind as you make decisions on outings. If we all work together, we will defeat COVID and take advantage of the strong position North Texas is in to improve our economy and our quality of life,"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: