Dallas reports 21 coronavirus deaths, 557 cases on anniversary of countys first reported COVID-19 case – The Dallas Morning News

Updated at 6:41 p.m. to include state data.

Dallas County added 21 more COVID-19 deaths and 557 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, one year after the county reported its first positive case of the virus.

The latest victims were in their 50s and older and include 16 men and five women. Eight were from Dallas, five from Garland, two each from Balch Springs and Mesquite, and one each from Combine, Farmers Branch, Richardson and Sunnyvale. All had underlying health conditions.

County Judge Clay Jenkins noted in a written statement that Wednesdays report marked the one-year anniversary of the first reported positive COVID-19 death in Dallas County. He said he was thankful for the resiliency of the people of Dallas County and North Texas over the last year, and he urged people to get vaccinated.

Disregard politicians who conflict with local and national health leaders, Jenkins said. Help one another and show grace toward your fellow man whether he agrees or disagrees with you.

Of the new cases announced Wednesday, 270 were confirmed and 287 were probable. The numbers bring the countys overall case total to 285,332, including 248,495 confirmed and 36,837 probable. The death toll is 3,201.

Health officials use hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and emergency room visits as key metrics to track the real-time impact of COVID-19 in the county. In the 24-hour period that ended Tuesday, 303 COVID-19 patients were in acute care in hospitals in the county. During the same period, 388 ER visits were for symptoms of the disease.

According to the state, 389,642 people in Dallas County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 218,133 10.8% of the countys population 16 and older are fully vaccinated.

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced Wednesday that people 50 and older will be eligible for the vaccine starting Monday. The decision to prioritize age is based on data showing the vast majority of coronavirus-related deaths occur in older Texans, officials said.

Across the state, 4,863 more cases were reported Wednesday, including 4,410 new cases and 453 older ones recently reported by labs.

The state also reported 225 COVID-19 deaths, raising its toll to 44,875.

Of the new cases, 3,104 were confirmed and 1,306 were probable. Of the older cases, 227 were confirmed and 226 were probable.

The states case total is now 2,699,589, including 2,330,216 confirmed and 369,373 probable.

There are 4,556 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals, including 991 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. On Tuesday, 6.03% of patients in the hospital region covering the Dallas-Fort Worth area were COVID-19 patients below the 15% threshold the state has used to define high hospitalizations.

The seven-day average positivity rate statewide for molecular tests, based on the date of test specimen collection, was 7.28% as of Tuesday. For antigen tests, the positivity rate for the same period was 3.25%. A molecular test is considered more accurate and is sometimes also called a PCR test; an antigen test is also called a rapid test. Gov. Greg Abbott has said a positivity rate above 10% is cause for concern.

According to the state, 4,695,684 people in Texas have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 2,541,063 11.3% of the states population 16 and older are fully vaccinated.

Tarrant County reported two deaths and 448 cases Wednesday.

The victims were an Arlington man in his 50s and a Bedford woman in her 70s. Both had underlying health conditions.

Of the new cases, 333 were confirmed and 115 were probable. The numbers bring the countys case total to 246,077, including 208,632 confirmed and 37,445 probable. The death toll is 3,030.

According to the county, 314 people were hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday.

According to the state, 284,989 people in Tarrant County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 181,654 11.4% of the countys population 16 and older are fully vaccinated.

The state added three deaths and 280 cases to Collin Countys totals Wednesday.

No details about the latest victims were available.

Of the new cases, 216 were confirmed and 64 were probable. The numbers bring the countys case total to 84,589, including 70,835 confirmed and 13,754 probable. The death toll is 754.

According to the county, 188 people are hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 175,306 people in Collin County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 105,813 13.1% of the countys population 16 and older are fully vaccinated.

Denton County reported zero deaths and 616 cases Wednesday.

The newly reported cases bring the countys case total to 68,852, including 51,465 confirmed and 17,387 probable. The death toll is 431.

According to the county, 51 people are hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 122,878 people in Denton County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 86,552 12.3% of the countys population 16 and older are fully vaccinated.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has taken over reporting for these other North Texas counties. In some counties, new data may not be reported every day.

The latest numbers are:

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Dallas reports 21 coronavirus deaths, 557 cases on anniversary of countys first reported COVID-19 case - The Dallas Morning News