Dallas County Reports 219 Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus Cases - August 27

From City of Coppell:

As of 1:00 pm August 27, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 219 additional confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total confirmed case count in Dallas County to 70,100, including 895 confirmed deaths. The total number of probable cases in Dallas County is 2,784, including 8 probable deaths from COVID-19. Of the 219 new cases we are reporting today, 59 came through the Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) system and the majority are from the months of June and July. Please see a provisional breakdown below of these newly reported cases by date of collection:

Month# of positive patientsJune18July36August5

The additional 5 deaths being reported today include the following:

• A man in his 50's who was a resident of the City of Richardson. 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 had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A man in his 60's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Cedar Hill. He had been hospitalized.
• A man in his 70's who was a resident of the City of Garland. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A man in his 70's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Dallas. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and did not have 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. About 50% of these cases were high school age. By zip code of residence, 302 (57%) of these children were projected to have been enrolled in Dallas ISD schools. 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 295. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 has been declining but remains high, with about 12.8% 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.

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. There were 388 COVID-19 patients in acute care in Dallas County for the period ending Wednesday, August 26. The number of emergency room visits for COVID-19 like symptoms in Dallas County was 512 in the 24 hour period ending Wednesday, August 26, which represents around 21 percent of all emergency department visits in the county according to information reported to the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council. While these numbers represent a significant decline from record highs, the disruptive impact of COVID-19 on our populations and health care systems remains. You can find additional information on risk-level monitoring data here.

"Today's new COVID-19 positive numbers continue a trend of lower cases. We have a total of 165 cases than can be contributed to newer cases and 54 cases from previous months that were found in the State's electronic laboratory system. The good trends we're seeing are the result of you wearing a mask, maintaining six-foot distancing, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding unnecessary trips and indoor crowds where anyone is not wearing a mask one hundred percent of the time. If we keep our resolve for focusing on the community good, to keep not only ourselves but our community healthy, less people will get sick, more businesses will stay open so our neighbors will keep their jobs, and our kids can get back to school sooner rather than later.

I'm pleased with the response to helping our neighbors on the coast with the hurricane evacuation. I'd like to give a special thank you to the cities of Dallas, Farmers Branch, Irving, Mesquite, and Richardson, as well as emergency managers in all of our Dallas County cities and jurisdictions for their great work and coming together to provide hotel rooms and assistance to families. Many of our charitable partners stepped up as well. There were acts of kindness that the public never sees. For instance, the DeSoto Fire Department took a spur of the moment donation from a firehouse to gather $100 for diapers and supplies for a family of 11 who was in need of assistance.

Our first responders are heroes and that is on display in 2020 like never before. We all have a role to play and everyone's is to follow the medical advice that you can find on www.DallasCountyCOVID.org about how to keep you and your family safe from COVID-19," 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.