On Saturday, in the four largest counties in North Texas, another 26 COVID-19 deaths and another 369 new reported cases of the virus were reported.
Nationwide, there were 2,428 new virus cases reported on Saturday (state case data is usually one day behind local health departments and figures reported today in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin will be reported by the state tomorrow), along with 119 other deaths.
The percentage of people hospitalized in ASD-E with COVID-19 continues to decrease and is 4.38%.
County-specific details for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties are below based on data reported Saturday, March 20, by county officials, local health departments and the state health department.
Dallas County
Dallas County reported another 12 COVID-19 died Saturday, along with 227 new cases of the virus.
In the last seven days, Dallas County has announced 1,865 new and probable cases of the virus, averaging 266 per day. One week ago, the county reported an average of 334 new cases per day.
In the last seven days, Dallas County has also announced 85 deaths, averaging 12 deaths a day. One week ago, the county reported an average of 25 deaths a day.
As of March 2020, the county has reported a total of 288,216 cases of virus, including 250,531 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,685 probable cases (antigen). There were 3,384 deaths attributed to the virus; Currently, it is estimated that 278,266 recoveries left 6,566 active cases estimated in the county.
Tarrant County
Tarrant County reported another 14 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, along with 142 new cases of the virus.
In the last seven days, Tarrant County has announced 1,612 new and probable cases of the virus, averaging 230 per day. One week ago, the county reported an average of 311 new cases per day.
In the last seven days, Tarrant County has also announced 101 deaths, averaging 14 deaths per day. One week ago, the county reported an average of 15 deaths a day.
As of March 2020, the county reported a total of 248,748 cases of virus, including 210,413 confirmed cases (PCR) and 38,335 probable cases (antigen). There were 3,198 deaths attributed to the virus; Currently, it is estimated that 238,132 recoveries left an estimated 7,418 active cases in the county.
Denton County
Denton County Public Health said on Saturday it did not intend to report case data this weekend because of the “lower number of positive labs currently received” on Saturday and Sunday.
In the last seven days, Denton County has announced 1,187 new and probable cases of the virus, averaging 170 per day. One week ago, the county reported an average of 363 new cases per day.
In the last seven days, Denton County has also announced 22 deaths, averaging three deaths a day. One week ago, the county reported an average of 0.9 deaths per day.
As of March 2020, the county reported a total of 70,885 cases of virus, including 52,722 confirmed cases (PCR) and 18,163 probable cases (antigen). There were 453 deaths attributed to the virus; Currently, 61,572 recoveries are estimated, leaving an estimated 8,860 active cases in the county.
Collin County
The Texas State Department of Health Services did not report any new cases or deaths caused by COVID-19 in Collin County on Saturday.
In the last seven days, DSHS has announced 625 new and likely cases of the virus, averaging 89 per day. One week ago, the county reported an average of 148 new cases a day.
In the last seven days, DSHS also announced 14 deaths in Collin County, averaging two deaths a day. One week ago, the county reported an average of two deaths a day.
As of March 2020, DSHS reported a total of 85,550 cases of virus in the county, including 71,378 confirmed cases (PCR) and 14,172 probable cases (antigen). There were 779 deaths attributed to the virus; Currently, an estimated 84,613 recoveries remain at 160 estimated active cases in the county.
Want to get a waiting list for vaccines?
The county health departments have launched waiting lists for those who want to be inoculated and eligible in phase 1A, 1B, 1C and child care and education staff.
You can register to get vaccinated in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties. The links are below:
Waiting list links: Collin – Waiting list search | Dallas | Denton | Tarrant
You do not have to be a county resident to register for a COVID-19 vaccine in that county – registration is open to anyone in Texas. For those without internet access, Tarrant County also makes registrations by phone at 817-248-6299. In Dallas County, call the DCHHS Vaccine Helpline at 1-855-IMMUNE9 (1-855-466-8639). In Denton County, call 940-349-2585.
The vaccine is currently given only to those in Phase 1A, 1B and 1C, as highlighted by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Those in phase 1A are employed in the field of health care or residents of long-term care units. Phase 1B includes those over the age of 65 or those over the age of 16 with a chronic condition that puts them at risk for serious illness.
On March 3, the availability of the vaccine was expanded to include school and child care workers. On March 15, vaccine eligibility was extended to include phase 1C, which includes anyone over the age of 50.
The groups that will be in phase 2 and phase 3 are currently being examined by state health officials. As more vaccines become available, officials expect to be able to substantially increase distribution. President Biden said the vaccine should be available to all Americans by May 1.
Once vaccinated, people are expected to get a certain level of protection within a few weeks of the first shot, but full protection may not happen until a few weeks after the second shot. Even when completely vaccinated, it is still possible to become infected with the virus because the vaccine does not provide 100% protection.
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