Dallas County Reports 746 New Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases

Total of 750 cases including four older cases and 46 probable cases

As of 4:00 pm November 1, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 750 additional positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Dallas County for a cumulative total of 97,398 confirmed cases (PCR test), including 1,117 confirmed deaths. There are 46 additional probable cases (antigen test) to report today for a total of 5,994 probable cases including 15 probable deaths. Of the 704 new confirmed cases we are reporting today, 363 came through the Texas Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) system, and four are from September. Please see a provisional breakdown below of these newly reported cases by date of collection:   

The additional death being reported today includes the following:    

A woman in her 60s 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. 

The provisional seven-day average of daily new confirmed and probable cases (by date of test collection) for CDC week 43 has increased to 652–the highest daily average of new cases since July. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 has increased to 15.4 percent of symptomatic patients presenting to area hospitals testing positive in week 43 (week ending 10/24/20). A provisional total of 587 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in school-aged children (5 to 17 years) during CDC week 43–over twice the numbers of children diagnosed in this age group four weeks earlier (CDC week ending 9/26/2020). 

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. Of the total confirmed deaths reported to date, about 24 percent 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. Due to weekend reporting, new data will be available on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. 

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 six 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 six 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 percent 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