Dallas County Reports 754 Additional Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus Cases- August 15

From City of Coppell:

As of 11:00am August 15, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 754 additional confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total confirmed case count in Dallas County to 58,067, including 824 confirmed deaths. An additional 10 probable cases of COVID-19 have been reported since yesterday, bringing the total probable case count in Dallas to 2,515, including 7 probable deaths from COVID-19.

The additional 8 deaths being reported today are the following:

• A man in his 50'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 hospitalized, and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A man in his 60's who was a resident of the City of Cedar Hill. 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 the City of Dallas. 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 the City of Garland. He had been critically ill in an area hospital, and did not have underlying high risk health conditions.
• A man in his 80's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Grand Prairie. He expired in hospice care, and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A woman in her 90's who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Dallas. She had been hospitalized, and had underlying high risk health conditions.
• A man in his 90'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 had underlying high risk health conditions.

Over 2,925 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 percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 has been declining but remains high, with about 13.8% of symptomatic patients presenting to area hospitals testing positive in week 32. Of the total confirmed deaths reported to date, about 27% 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. We continue to see high numbers of COVID-19 patients in Dallas County with 507 people in acute care for the period ending Friday, August 14. Additionally, the number of emergency room visits for COVID-19 like symptoms in Dallas County was 494 in the 24 hour period ending Friday, August 14, which represents around 22 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.

"Today ends a week for which the average number of daily COVID-19 cases was 605, up from last week, for which the average number was 463. This week we had 73 deaths, for our fourth deadliest week thus far.

It is important that if you've experienced symptoms and had a COVID-19 test that you self-isolate until you get your results back and that you mask around your family members and avoid them until you know your status. It continues to be important that all of us wear our masks whenever we are outside of our homes and around other people and maintain a six-foot distance; as a mask is not a substitute for distancing, you need to do both. Frequent handwashing and avoiding unnecessary trips are also very important in order to curve the spread of COVID-19. And everyone should avoid any activities where a mask cannot be worn 100% of the time outside your home. It's up to all of us to get the number of COVID-19 transmission down, so fewer people get sick, more businesses stay open, and our children can get back to school.

We are at the hottest part of the summer, and this is a tough summer for all of us. But my hope is that all of you find laughter and happiness this weekend and as often as possible. We need everyone to stay focused on being COVID-safe and the best way to do that is to practice good self-care and find things that make you laugh," 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.