Dallas County Reports 1,086 Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus Cases - August 22

From City of Coppell:

As of 2:00 pm August 22, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 1,086 additional confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total confirmed case count in Dallas County to 68,572, including 855 confirmed deaths. The total number of probable cases in Dallas County is 2,576, including 8 probable deaths from COVID-19. Of the 1,086 new cases we are reporting today, 862 came through the Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) system, with the majority from June; however, 350 of the cases from the ELR are from August. Please see a provisional breakdown below of these newly reported cases by date of collection:

Month# of positive patientsMay1June448July63August350

The additional 6 deaths being reported today include the following:

- A man in his 40's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

- A man in his 50's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He had been critically ill in an area hospital.

- A man in his 60's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He 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 Dallas. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and did not have underlying high risk health conditions.

- A woman in her 70'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 woman in her 70'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.

From August 1st to 14th, 531 school-aged children between 5 to 18 years of age were reported to have been diagnosed with confirmed COVID-19. Over 3,549 children under 18 years of age have been diagnosed with confirmed COVID-19 since July 1st, including 66 children who have been hospitalized for 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. The 7-day average daily new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases (by date of test collection) for CDC week 33 was 256.

The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 has been declining but remains high, with about 12.5% of symptomatic patients presenting to area hospitals testing positive in week 33. Of the total confirmed deaths reported to date, about 26% have been associated with long-term care facilities. New cases are being reported as a daily aggregate, with a more detailed summary report updated Tuesdays and Fridays. Friday's summary is attached.

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. We continue to see high numbers of COVID-19 patients in Dallas County with 437 people in acute care for the period ending Friday, August 21. Additionally, the number of emergency room visits for COVID-19 like symptoms in Dallas County was 445 in the 24 hour period ending Friday, August 21, which represents around 20 percent of all emergency department visits in the county according to information reported to the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council. You can find additional information on risk-level monitoring data here.

Additionally, Figure 1 and Table 11 below are from the August 21, 2020 Dallas County Health and Human Services 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary (attached). Figure 1 shows the confirmed COVID-19 positive cases by date of test collection. This chart includes all delayed results that were received by DCHHS as of 8:00pm Thursday. Table 11 is a summary of confirmed and probable cases and deaths over the past five weeks and shows a decline in the daily average of new cases in Dallas County.

"Today ends another week in the COVID-19 response and this week we've had an average of 256 cases and reported 31 deaths for the week, one of the lowest reported weeks for deaths since the middle of June. Today includes 1,086 total cases, 862 of which are from the State's problematic electronic laboratory reporting system. Of those, 512 are from May, June, and July, leaving 574 "new" cases, but it's unknown if any of the August cases are backlogged from the beginning of the month or normal. There's no way to really know this but today I'm including two charts in the press release that show a decline in the 7 day rolling average and in the daily average of new cases, now at an average of 256 cases a day versus 916 cases a day from the week of July 18th.

The sacrifices you're making by wearing your mask, maintaining six-foot distancing, and avoiding unnecessary outings around people outside your family is paying off. Please keep doing that. We're all in this together and I know that many are tired of masking. It's hot and we've been at this a long time but there's really no place for a loosening of resolve now as we try to get back to a place where our children can return to school. By following the science, we have our best chance to keep less people from getting sick, more businesses open, and get our kids back to school sooner rather than later," 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:

• Dallas County COVID-19 Related Health Guidance for the Public
• Dallas County Measures for Protecting An Institution's Workforce from COVID-19 Infection: Employer/Employee Guidance
• Dallas County Guidance for Individuals at High-Risk for Severe COVID-19

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-base 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:

• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• CDC Travel Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
• DSHS: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
• DCHHS: https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/2019-novel-coronavirus.php

This press release was produced by City of Coppell. The views expressed here are the author’s own.