Dramatic rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations is predicted to surpass Dallas-Fort Worths winter peak – The Dallas Morning News

The already high number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 in North Texas is expected to rise dramatically in the coming weeks as the delta variant of the coronavirus spreads nearly unchecked through the regions unvaccinated residents.

The latest model from forecasters at UT Southwestern Medical Center shows that hospitalizations for the virus in Dallas and Tarrant counties could eclipse their winter peaks by early September.

Dallas County is predicted to have 1,500 or more hospitalizations by Sept. 9, along with 1,600 new cases each day. The same model shows 1,900 hospitalizations and 1,700 daily cases in Tarrant County on the same date.

In early January, Dallas County reached its high of more than 1,200 COVID-19 patients, and Tarrant County peaked above 1,500.

UTSW said the more-contagious delta variant now accounts for 95% of its positive coronavirus tests and that, compared to earlier surges, it is leading to a greater number of severe cases in younger people who have lower vaccination rates. About 50% more children are hospitalized with COVID-19 now than at the January peak in Dallas, Collin, Denton and Tarrant counties, and about 30% more people ages 18-49.

But there is some good news, the forecasters said: Wearing of masks in public has increased in North Texas in recent weeks, according to a Carnegie Mellon University survey. The forecast said this simple but powerful intervention can help mitigate the spread of the virus as the pace of vaccinations continues to increase.

The current rate of vaccinations, however, needs to rise further to avoid the worst scenarios, the forecast found.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a written statement that Mondays full approval of Pfizers vaccine by the FDA showed just how effective and safe it is, adding that he hoped it would spur more people to get inoculated.

Although the pace of vaccinations has accelerated in Dallas County during the past month, we need to see it increase even more to turn the tide against delta, Jenkins said.

Dallas County reported 32 more COVID-19 deaths and 9,138 new coronavirus cases in the past week.

Of the new cases, 7,372 were confirmed and 1,766 were probable. The numbers bring the countys overall case total to 340,244, including 290,954 confirmed and 49,290 probable. The death toll is 4,280.

The average number of new daily cases in the county for the last two weeks is 1,184. For the previous 14-day period, the average was 768.

The county reported that 846 people were hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 1,457,952 people in Dallas County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 1,201,072 55.1% of the countys population 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

The state reported 122,627 more cases in the past week, including 101,272 confirmed cases and 21,355 probable cases.

The state also reported 923 COVID-19 deaths over the past week, raising its toll to 54,023. The deaths were the most in a week since March.

The states case total is now 3,450,934, including 2,914,188 confirmed and 536,746 probable.

There are a total of 13,163 hospitalizations in the state, including 3,137 in North Texas.

According to the state, 16,096,758 people in Texas have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 13,370,501 55.6% of the states population 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

Tarrant County reported 48 deaths and 7,254 cases in the past week. The number of deaths was nearly double the previous weeks 26.

Of the new cases, 5,997 were confirmed and 1,257 were probable. The numbers bring the countys case total to 294,498, including 245,613 confirmed and 48,885 probable. The death toll is 3,755.

The county reported that 1,067 people were hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 1,087,092 people in Tarrant County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 924,796 53.2% of the countys population 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

The state added seven deaths and 2,775 cases to Collin Countys totals in the past week.

Of the new cases, 2,439 were confirmed and 336 were probable. The numbers bring the countys case total to 105,208, including 86,161 confirmed and 19,047 probable. The death toll is 883.

The county reported that 451 people were hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 650,275 people in Collin County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 565,371 65.3% of the countys population 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

Denton County reported eight deaths and 2,271 cases in the past week.

The numbers bring the countys case total to 86,481, including 63,106 confirmed and 23,375 probable. The death toll is 642.

The county reported that 180 people were hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 507,253 people in Denton County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 446,264 59.5% of the countys population 12 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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Dramatic rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations is predicted to surpass Dallas-Fort Worths winter peak - The Dallas Morning News