In the four largest counties in North Texas, 26 more COVID-19 deaths were reported Saturday and an additional 369 new cases of the virus.
Statewide, 2,428 new cases of the virus had been reported Saturday (state of case data is typically a day behind local health departments and the numbers reported today in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin will be released by the state tomorrow. are reported), along with another 119 deaths.
The percentage of people hospitalized in TSA-E with COVID-19 continues to decline and stands at 4.38%.
County-specific details for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties below are based on data reported Saturday, March 20, by district officials, local health departments and the state health department.
Dallas County
Dallas County reported another 12 COVID-19 died on Saturday along with 227 new cases of the virus.
In the past seven days, Dallas County has announced 1,865 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 266 per day. A week ago, the province reported an average of 334 new cases per day.
In the past seven days, Dallas County has also announced 85 deaths, an average of 12 deaths per day. A week ago, the province reported an average of 25 deaths a day.
As of March 2020, the province has reported a total of 288,216 cases of the virus, including 250,531 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,685 probable cases (antigen). 3,384 deaths have been attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 278,266 recoveries, leaving an estimated 6,566 active cases in the province.
Tarrant County
Tarrant County reported an additional 14 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday along with 142 new cases of the virus.
In the past seven days, Tarrant County has announced 1,612 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 230 per day. A week ago, the province reported an average of 311 new cases per day.
In the past seven days, Tarrant County has also announced 101 deaths, an average of 14 deaths per day. A week ago, the province reported an average of 15 deaths a day.
As of March 2020, the province has reported a total of 248,748 cases of the virus, including 210,413 confirmed cases (PCR) and 38,335 probable cases (antigen). 3,198 deaths have been attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 238,132 recoveries, leaving an estimated 7,418 active cases in the province.
Denton County
Denton County Public Health said Saturday it had no intention of reporting data on cases this weekend due to the “lower number of positive labs currently being received” on Saturday and Sunday.
In the past seven days, Denton County has announced 1,187 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 170 per day. A week ago, the province reported an average of 363 new cases per day.
In the past seven days, Denton County has also announced 22 deaths, an average of three deaths per day. A week ago, the province reported an average of 0.9 deaths per day.
As of March 2020, the province has reported a total of 70,885 cases of the virus, including 52,722 confirmed cases (PCR) and 18,163 probable cases (antigen). 453 deaths have been attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 61,572 recoveries, leaving an estimated 8,860 active cases in the province.
Collin County
The Texas Department of State Health Services did not report any new cases or deaths from COVID-19 in Collin County on Saturday.
In the past seven days, the DSHS has announced 625 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 89 per day. A week ago, the province reported an average of 148 new cases per day.
In the past seven days, the DSHS has also announced 14 deaths in Collin County, an average of two deaths per day. A week ago, the province reported an average of two deaths a day.
As of March 2020, the DSHS has reported a total of 85,550 cases of the virus in the province, including 71,378 confirmed cases (PCR) and 14,172 probable cases (antigen). 779 deaths have been attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 84,613 recoveries, leaving 160 estimated active cases in the province.
Would you like to get on a vaccine waiting list?
The county’s health departments have established waiting lists for those who wish to be vaccinated and are eligible for Stage 1A, 1B, 1C and daycare and education personnel.
You can register to receive the vaccination in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties. Links are below:
Waiting list links: Collin – Search waiting list | Dallas | Denton | Tarrant
You don’t have to be a county resident to register for a COVID-19 vaccine in that county – registration is open to anyone in Texas. For those without Internet access, Tarrant County also takes phone registrations at 817-248-6299. In Dallas County, call the DCHHS vaccine hotline at 1-855-IMMUNE9 (1-855-466-8639). In Denton County, call 940-349-2585.
The vaccine is currently only being administered to those who are in stages 1A, 1B and 1C, as outlined by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Those in phase 1A are primary health care workers or residents of long-term care facilities. Stage 1B includes those over the age of 65, or those over the age of 16 with a chronic medical condition that puts them at risk for serious illness.
On March 3, the availability of vaccines was expanded to school and daycare workers. On March 15, vaccine eligibility was extended to phase 1C, which includes everyone over 50 years old.
Groups that are in Phase 2 and Phase 3 are currently being studied by state health officials. As more vaccines become available, officials expect to be able to significantly increase distribution. President Biden has said the vaccine should be available to all Americans by May 1.
Once vaccinated, people are expected to achieve some level of protection within a few weeks of the first injection, but full protection cannot occur until a few weeks after the second injection. Even when fully vaccinated, it is still possible to be infected by the virus as the vaccine does not provide 100% protection.
Download our NBC DFW mobile app for Apple or Android to receive alerts for local news and weather.