Dallas County Reports 614 Additional Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus Cases- 01 August

From City of Coppell:

As of 11:00am August 1, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 614 additional confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total confirmed case count in Dallas County to 50,590, including 681 confirmed deaths.

The additional 10 confirmed deaths being reported today include:

- A man in his 20'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 30's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She had been critically ill in an area hospital.

- A woman in her 40'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 50'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 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 Dallas. He expired in the facility, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

- A man in his 80's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He had been hospitalized, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

- A man in his 80's who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He expired in an area hospital ED, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

- A woman in her 80's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Dallas. She expired in an area hospital ED, and had underlying high risk health conditions.

- A man in his 80's who was a resident of the City of Lancaster. He had been critically ill in an area hospital.

Over 2,050 children under 18 years of age have been diagnosed with confirmed COVID-19 since July 1st. During this timeframe, 52 children 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 percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 remains high, with about 19% of symptomatic patients presenting to area hospitals testing positive in week 30. Of cases requiring hospitalization who reported employment, over 80% have been critical infrastructure workers, with a broad range of affected occupational sectors, including: healthcare, transportation, food and agriculture, public works, finance, communications, clergy, first responders and other essential functions.

Of the 681 confirmed deaths reported to date, about 28% have been associated with long-term care facilities. A total of 1,405 probable cases have been reported to date in Dallas County residents, including 2 probable deaths from COVID-19. 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. We continue to see high numbers of COVID-19 patients in Dallas County with 722 people in acute care for the period ending Friday, July 31. Additionally, the number of emergency room visits for COVID-19 like symptoms in Dallas County was 498 in the 24 hour period ending Friday, July 31, which represents around 25 percent of all emergency department visits in the county according to information reported to the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council. These numbers reflect an increase in hospitalizations, illustrating that despite lower case reporting, the number of people with severe illness requiring acute care for COVID-19 remains high in Dallas County.

"Today's numbers mark the seventh day that we've been below 1,000 new cases per day. For the week, we had an average of 654 new cases per day, down from 827 the week before, and a total of 77 deaths making this the second deadliest week thus far of the COVID-19 outbreak. Your efforts at wearing a mask, maintaining six foot distance, using good hand hygiene, and avoiding unnecessary trips outside the home are leading to a reduction in cases. It's important to remember however that we are still around four times higher in the number of daily cases than we were when the Governor's Open Texas program began. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep doing what you're doing: wear that mask, maintain that six foot distance, have good hand hygiene, and avoid any unnecessary trips outside the home. In other words, only go out to work, for exercise and for essential necessities. If we all do this, we can keep more people from getting sick, keep more businesses open, and hopefully give our kids their best chance to get back to school and see their friends," 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.