Dallas County Reports 578 Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus Cases- August 26

From City of Coppell:

As of 1:00 pm August 26, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 578 additional confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total confirmed case count in Dallas County to 69,881, including 890 confirmed deaths. The total number of probable cases in Dallas County is 2,746, including 8 probable deaths from COVID-19. Of the 578 new cases we are reporting today, 424 came through the Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) system and the majority are from the months of April and May. Please see a provisional breakdown below of these newly reported cases by date of collection:

The additional 9 deaths being reported today include the following:

• A man in his 40's who was a resident of the City of Wilmer. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and did not have underlying high risk health conditions.
• 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 woman in her 50's who was a resident of the City of Irving. She 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 Richardson. 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 Farmers Branch. She was found deceased at home, and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A woman in her 60's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Lancaster. She 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 Mesquite. He expired in an area hospital ED, and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A woman in her 70's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Lancaster. She had been hospitalized, and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A woman in her 80'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. 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 408 COVID-19 patients in acute care in Dallas County for the period ending Tuesday, August 25. The number of emergency room visits for COVID-19 like symptoms in Dallas County was 491 in the 24 hour period ending Tuesday, August 25, 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. 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 we continue the trend of a low number of new COVID-19 positive cases with 154 cases in the month of August. The total number is 578 cases but 424 of those are cases from earlier months that were lost in the State's electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) system. Unfortunately, it is possible that the State is also losing cases that were done recently and not reporting those cases timely, but we can look at hospitalizations and other factors, not relying on the State's ELR system, and see that the trends are moving in a positive direction.

We are also involved in helping hundreds of families from the coast get refuge, meals and services here in Dallas County by placing them in hotels and providing them with services in their time of need. North Texans should be proud of their welcoming spirit and how the people of Dallas County always step up to help neighbors in need. This will be done without increased risk of infection to the community. The people fleeing Hurricane Laura are no more likely to have COVID-19 than members of the general population anywhere in Texas, and the services that we'll provide to them, including COVID-19 testing, will be done from our excess capacity so no one in Dallas County will be denied a COVID-19 test or services due to the services being provided to our neighbors from the Texas coast.

In order to keep less people from getting sick, more businesses open, and get our kids back to school sooner rather than later, it's important that we all continue to wear our mask, maintain six-foot distancing, use good hand hygiene, and forgo unnecessary trips until the numbers go down further. Medical experts strongly advise that you should not participate in any indoor activity or frequent any indoor establishment where masks cannot be or are not being worn one hundred percent of the time," 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.