Dallas County Reports 329 New Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus Cases 355 Total Cases Reported Today With 26 From Older Months- September 18

From City of Coppell:

As of 3:00 pm September 18, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 355 additional confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total confirmed case count in Dallas County to 76,962 including 990 confirmed deaths. An additional 137 new probable cases with positive antigen test results were reported in Dallas County since yesterday, bringing the total probable cases in Dallas County to 3,774, including 11 probable deaths from COVID-19. Of the 185 new cases we are reporting today, 101 came through the Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) system and 26 were from previous months. Please see a provisional breakdown below of these newly reported cases by date of collection:

The additional 4 deaths being reported today include the following:

• A man in his 50's who was a resident of the City of Sunnyvale. 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 woman in her 60's who was a resident of the City of Irving. She had been critically ill in an area hospital, and did not have underlying high risk health conditions.
• A man in his 60's who was a resident of the City of Duncanville. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

The provisional 7-day average daily new confirmed and probable cases (by date of test collection) for CDC week 37 was 240, a decrease from the previous daily average of 279 for CDC week 36. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 remains high with 10.0% of symptomatic patients presenting to area hospitals testing positive in week 37.

A provisional total of 156 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in school-aged children (5 to 17 years) during CDC week 37 (week ending 9/12/2020), an increase from the previous week for this age group. The percentage of cases occurring in young adults aged 18 to 22 years has increased to 14% over the past 2 weeks.

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. Of the total confirmed deaths reported to date, about 25% 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 report is forthcoming.

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 298 COVID-19 patients in acute care in Dallas County for the period ending on Thursday, September 17. The number of emergency room visits for COVID-19 like symptoms in Dallas County was 312 for the 24 hour period ending on Thursday, September 17, which represents around 13 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 in July, 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.

Additionally, Figure 1 and Table 11 below are from the September 18, 2020 Dallas County Health and Human Services 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary. 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 in Dallas County.

"We saw an increase in new COVID-19 positive cases of 329 today and an additional four deaths. For the CDC week ending September 12, we saw another decrease. Daily averages decreased to 240 average cases per day down from 279 for the previous week and 308 for the week before. It's important to remember that these are provisional numbers. As cases come in and are allotted by test dates to their CDC week, the numbers change some regularly, but it is enough to see that there is a positive trend of cases going down. Also, our positivity rate, which remains high at 10%, is down from 10.8% in the previous week.

In order to continue to see gains, it's very important that we continue to wear our mask and stay six feet apart. With the cooler weather it becomes more pleasant to be outside. There are two things that you can do to really impact our COVID-19 numbers. The first is to take your family gatherings outside, including anyone who visits your home, or anyone whose home you visit. Being outside is much safer than staying indoors. Second, for those who are frequenting restaurants for in-dining as opposed to takeout and carry-out, please consider patio dining which is far safer than indoor dining. It will be more difficult to find that safe indoor dining experience with appropriate distancing as more people return to restaurant dining, so the patio is your best option if you don't want to do takeout or carry-out. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend," 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

CONTACT:

Clay Lewis Jenkins, Dallas County Judge

Clay.Jenkins@dallascounty.org

214-653-7949

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