x
Breaking News
More () »

COVID-19 updates: Dallas County sees highest rise in hospitalizations since August

Hospitalizations, while down slightly from Tuesday, remain high in the county.
Credit: AP Photo/LM Otero
Cars wait in line at a CVS pharmacy offering drive-thru COVID-19 nasal swab tests in Dallas, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.

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

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins says the county is seeing its highest COVID-19 numbers since August, with the increase of both hospitalizations and positive cases.

“It is not a time to lose our resolve. Things will get better. We will get a vaccine, but it’s imperative that we all wear our masks and avoid large crowds for now,” said Jenkins.

Wednesday, health officials reported 589 positive cases of COVID-19 and said two more people have died. Of the new cases, 273 were reported by the state health department.

The two additional deaths include a man in his 70s who was a resident at a long-term care facility in Dallas, and a Cedar Hill woman in her 90s. Officials said both had underlying high-risk health conditions.

The countywide total now stands at 91,313 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1,091 confirmed deaths.

The positivity rate for COVID-19 is 11.3% for symptomatic patients who are arriving at hospitals, county officials said.

State of Texas reports 4,991 cases, 114 deaths

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting 4,991 new cases, 114 deaths and 4,782 hospitalizations due to COVID-19, with 253 of 254 counties reporting data as of 5 p.m. 

Texas now has had 838,809 reported, confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 17,201 deaths due to COVID-19.

Collin County reports 74 new cases, 1 new death

Collin County health officials reported 74 new cases of COVID-19 and one death Wednesday. The county's total case count is now at 17,122 and its total death count from the virus is 173, according to county totals since March.

Denton County reports 169 new cases

Denton County Public Health is reporting 169 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, 124 of which are active, officials said. This puts the cumulative, countywide total to 15,598 total cases since tracking began in March. Officials also said 97 people are newly recovered from the disease, putting the county at 12,925 recoveries.

Tarrant County reports 633 additional cases, 1 new death

Tarrant County reported another 633 coronavirus cases on Wednesday as well as one new death. 

Since tracking began in March, the county has had 60,795 confirmed cases and 710 deaths.

Hospitalizations dropped slight from Tuesday in Tarrant County, at 480 for COVID-19 occupied beds. The previous day it was 503, the highest daily total in more than two months. 

Hospitalizations still remain up significantly in recent weeks. Coronavirus hospitalizations in the county hit a low on Sept. 12 when 201 patients were being treated.

Dallas Summer Musicals postpones most shows to late 2021

Dallas Summer Musicals announced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of its Broadway shows won't be performed until late 2021. 

Shows that have been rescheduled to next year include Oklahoma!, Jersey Boys, Come From Away, Tootsie, Mean Girls and To Kill a Mockingbird. 

The organization said it is in the process of contacting this season's ticket holders with further instructions. 

Earlier this month, The Broadway League announced that the shutdown of New York City's Broadway theaters has been extended through May 30, 2021.

New York’s Metropolitan Opera also announced in September that it would be canceling all of its shows until Fall 2021.  

For a daily roundup of the latest news from around North Texas and beyond, sign up for the WFAA email newsletter. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out