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COVID-19 updates: Collin County reports a record-high case total on Tuesday

Collin County reported 318 new cases and one new death on Tuesday. Their previous high was 180 coronavirus cases, reported July 6.

This story will be updated throughout the day as new information is released.

Collin County reported its highest coronavirus case total to date on Tuesday, with 318 new cases.

The county's previous high was 180 new cases on July 6.

The county also reported one new death, an 81-year-old Plano woman who died at home. She did have underlying health conditions, according to the county.

That brings the total number of deaths in Collin County to 84. Almost a quarter of those deaths -- 19 total -- have come in the last two weeks.

Tuesday record high came after two much lower days of reported cases. According to the county's dashboard, three new cases were reported Sunday and 22 were reported Monday.

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Cases, positivity rate trending up again in Texas

After more than 10 days of a downward trend in the 7-day average of new cases, that measure has gone up for five straight days in Texas. 

The state released its latest numbers Tuesday, also showing the positivity back up, now at 13.88%. 

State health officials reported 9,167 new cases and 245 additional deaths as well. 

Statewide, hospitalizations are down -- at 8,674 as of Tuesday afternoon -- which is good. 

However, deaths continue to be a concern, with 2,223 deaths in Texas coming in just the last nine days.

Denton County reports 95 cases

On Tuesday, Denton County reported 95 additional coronavirus cases, but no new deaths. 

To date, the county has reported 7,127 cases and 56 deaths. 

Dallas County to report 31 deaths 

Dallas County health officials reported 31 deaths and 641 cases on Tuesday, bringing the the total case count to 52,131, including 722 deaths since tracking began in March. 

The 31 deaths accounts for the second-highest single-day total since the pandemic started. 

A Dallas man in his 20s who had underlying health conditions, and two Dallas men in their 30s who didn't have any underlying health conditions are among the latest victims to die. The other patients range from a man in his 40s to a  woman in her 90s. 

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins also reported that over 2,340 children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since July 1. At least 61 children have been hospitalized since that date. 

Tarrant County reports 805 new cases, 5 additional deaths 

Tarrant County health officials have reported 805 news cases and five new deaths related to COVID-19. 

Of the 805 new cases, 341 were from the Federal Medical Center prison, according to the county.

The victims include a woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s from Grand Prairie, a man in his 30s from Mansfield, a man in his 50s from Lake Worth and a woman in her 50s from Fort Worth. 

All of the patients had underlying health conditions, according to health officials. 

The additional 805 newly confirmed cases brings the countywide total to 30,162, including 396 deaths and 17,689 recoveries since tracking began in March. 

Three North Texas districts head back to school

Three school districts in North Texas resumed in-person learning Tuesday: Keene, Godley and Dublin Independent School Districts. 

Officials say more than 1,000 students at Keene ISD returned to school Tuesday. District officials said about 75% of families chose to send their children back for in-person learning.

The Keene superintendent said schools will have a face mask policy in place, hand sanitizer available, and other changes.

At Dublin ISD, the district sent a note out to families offering to help with school supplies at this time. 

The note reads in part, “We know that many families in our district are suffering financial hardships as a result of the current pandemic; therefore, Dublin ISD will be providing your child with all of the school supplies they will need when school starts this August. All your child needs to start the next school year is a backpack and a smile."

Staff member at Memorial High School tests positive for COVID-19 

Frisco ISD officials confirmed Tuesday morning that a front office staff member at Memorial High School has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Officials say the person was on campus prior to testing positive and potentially exposed other employees. Those people are now required to self-quarantine for 14 days before being allowed to return to campus. 

The group quarantining includes other front office staff and school administrators. Frisco ISD officials said it does not include teachers. 

Teachers are not scheduled to return to work until Wednesday.

Special education students at Birdville ISD will return to in-person learning

Birdville ISD students will begin their school year virtually on Aug. 24, with the exception of special education, district officials said. 

According to officials, select special education students will be able to begin face-to-face learning on Aug. 24.

The school board voted to approve the plan during a special meeting on Monday. Face-to-face- instruction for other families that chose that option will begin Sept. 8. 

District officials say they are finalizing a plan for distributing technology to students before the start of the school year.

Tarrant County COVID-19 child care task force seeks input from parents 

The Tarrant County COVID-19 child care task force is asking parents to participate in a survey. Fort Worth ISD officials say parents of children ages 4-18 can take the survey online through Aug. 6. 

Results will be shared with county and city leaders to better understand the need and urgency of child care assistance, officials said in a news release. 

School district officials encourage parents of children 12 years old and younger who are in need of licensed child care, to seek assistance at Best Place For Kids.

WFAA Reporter Hannah Davis contributed to this story. 

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