In the four largest counties in North Texas on Saturday were Another 47 deaths were reported with COVID-19 and another 716 new reported cases of the virus. Meanwhile, the percentage of people hospitalized for COVID-19 continues to decline and is now at 5.34% in TSA-E.
County-specific details for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties are below based on data reported Saturday, March 13, by county officials, local health departments and the state health department.
Dallas County
Dallas County reported another 24 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, along with 267 cases of the virus. In the last seven days, the county announced 2,341 new and probable cases of virus, on average 334 per day and 177 deaths, on average 25 deaths per day.
Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 286,351 cases of the virus, including 249,246 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,105 probable cases (antigen). There were 3,299 deaths attributed to the virus; Currently, it is estimated that 273,944 recoveries left 9,108 active cases estimated in the county.
Tarrant County
Tarrant County Public Health added another 23 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, along with 303 new cases of the virus. In the last seven days, the county announced 2,179 new and probable cases of virus, on average 311 per day and 102 deaths, on average 15 deaths per day.
As of March 2020, the county reported a total of 247,136 cases of virus, including 209,311 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,825 probable cases (antigen). There have been deaths attributed to the virus; currently, it is estimated that 235,831 recoveries left an estimated 8,208 active cases in the county.
Denton County
Denton County Public Health reports another 65 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. Of the new cases reported, DCPH confirmed that 42 are active, while 23 have already deleted the recovery protocol.
As of March 2020, Denton County reported a total of 69,633 cases of virus, including 51,818 confirmed cases (PCR) and 17,815 probable cases (antigen). There were 431 deaths attributed to the virus; Currently, 59,124 recoveries are estimated, leaving an estimated 10,143 active cases in the county.
Collin County
The Texas State Department of Health reports 81 new cases of the virus, including 43 new confirmed cases (PCR) and 38 probable (antigen) cases. The state also added 120 recoveries.
As of March 2020, DSHS reported a total of 84,925 cases of virus in Collin County, including 70,988 confirmed cases (PCR) and 13,588 probable cases (antigen). There were 763 deaths attributed to the virus; Currently, it is estimated 83,681 recoveries, leaving 481 active cases estimated in the county.
Want to get a waiting list for vaccines?
As the state begins distributing COVID-19 vaccines to those in Phase 1A and 1B, county health departments have begun waiting lists for those who want to be inoculated.
You can now register to receive vaccinations 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 and 1B, as highlighted by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Those in Phase 1A are front-line health workers 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 15 March, vaccine eligibility will be extended to include phase 1C, which will be between the ages of 50 and 64.
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.
Download our NBC DFW mobile app for Apple or Android to receive alerts for breaking news and weather.