City of Dallas COVID-19 Update: April 16

Dear City of Dallas Partner —

Thank you to everyone who made some noise tonight for our healthcare workers, police, firefighters, park rangers, code officers, workers providing essential services, and all others who are on the frontlines of COVID-19 response. See the pictures and videos from tonight’s #DFWOvation here. 

Check out the latest updates below from the City of Dallas on our COVID-19 response:

Positive Cases of COVID-19 in North Texas

• 2,066 in Dallas County (80 are new) 
• 1,093 in Tarrant County
• 565  in Denton County
• 505 in Collin County
• 93 in Ellis County
• 41 in Rockwall County
• 33 in Kaufman County

Hospital Reports

Here are the bed and ventilator capacity statistics as reported by 25 hospitals in the City of Dallas: 

• Total beds: 5,710
• Beds occupied: 2,981 (52%)
• Total ICU beds: 827
• ICU beds occupied: 509 (62%)
• Total ventilators: 941
• Ventilators in use: 308 (33%)

COVID-19 Lab Reports

As of 5:30 p.m. the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management has received reports from seven labs. Below are the numbers for today, April 16, 2020:

430 COVID-19 tests

60 positive

367 negative

Testing numbers from labs to date

Dallas County has reported at least two recovered COVID-19 cases,however the exact number of patients who have been released from area hospitals to continue their recovery at home is not available at this time.

Total tests to date by Dallas County Health and Human Services	1,132
Total tests to date private labs*	7,175
Total negative tests to date*	6,897
Total active cases	2,066
Total deaths	50

*Numbers since March 13, 2020, the date the order requiring public and private labs in Dallas to report their COVID-19 tests went into effect

Community-Based Testing Sites

The numbers reported from the two community-based testing sites for April 15 are as follows:

American Airlines Center	Ellis Davis Field House
Total number of visitors: 208	Total number of visitors: 150
Total tested: 202	Total tested: 136

Mayor’s Updates

In case you missed it: Last week, I announced the formation of the Mayor’s Task Force on COVID-19 Economic Recovery and named Richard W. Fisher, the former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as its chairman. This pandemic will end, and when it does, we must be prepared to revitalize the Dallas economy as quickly as possible. More information about this new task force aimed at can be found in Fox 4, the Dallas Morning News, KRLD, WFAA, KERA, Focus Daily News, and in this press release.

Federal Medical Station Update

• Based on input from the DFW medical society, local hospitals currently have the capacity to handle the expected peak of COVID-19 cases. The Dallas FMS at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCC) is standing down for now.
• The convention center is de-mobilizing tomorrow evening. There will be a reimplementation plan in place if local hospitals exceed capacity. All cots, equipment, PPE, pharmacy and the command post footprint will remain intact at KBHCC until May 15 or longer if necessary.
• Task Force Central (Navy medical team) will remain in Dallas for the next couple of weeks. 51 members of the Navy EMF were deployed to Baton Rouge, LA this morning. There are 127 Navy EMF still in Dallas and may be redeployed to other areas in the country as needed.

City Operations

• Today both Community-Based Testing Sites (CBTS) have opened the criteria to include testing for anyone 65 years-old or older and anyone with chronic health issues (diabetes, asthma, heart problems, etc.) Both CBTS locations have transitioned to using the self-swab testing kits, from nasopharyngeal swabs.
• The federal government has notified local CBTS they are increasing the federal testing limit to 500 tests per day, per site. The previous limit was 250 tests, per day, per site.
• The City is providing a voluntary option for dependent care/childcare to support essential City employees during COVID-19 declaration of disaster who cannot work from home or telework and must report to a work location. The services will be available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• For dependent infants to 12 years-old, existing contracted and licensed childcare facilities will be utilized beginning Wednesday, April 22. For dependents between the ages of 13 to 17 year- old, Dallas Park and Recreation will activate three recreation centers beginning Monday, April 20. The list of facilities are as follows:

Dependents infants – 12 years old
Childcare Provider	Address
American Care Academy	530 S. R.L Thornton, 75203
Good Street Learning Center	3126 Elsie Faye Higgins Street, 75215
Heavenly Christian Academy	11421 Shiloh Rd., 75228
Heavenly Learning Center	9625 Plano Rd. Suite 1700, 75238
Kaleidoscope Child Development Center	19310 Midway Road, 75287
Metropolitan Christian Academy	3430 S. Polk St., 75224
Union Christian Academy	3312 Polk St., 75224
Golden Eagles Program	6901 S. Westmoreland, 75237
Dependents between the ages of 13 – 17 years old
Recreation Facility	Address
Samuel Grand Recreation Center	620 E. Grand Ave, 75223
Eloise Lundy Recreation Center	1228 Reverend CBT Smith St.
Anita Martinez Recreation Center	3212 Winnetka, 75212

• Each facility and provider is prepared and equipped to provide adequate care while complying with Dallas County Orders and adhering to Centers for Disease Control guidance on social/physical distancing, sanitation and hand washing. Each facility will be equipped with WiFi connections to allow school-age children to complete virtual classwork. Children will be provided meals and snacks while in care. There is no out of pocket cost to essential City employees for the service provided by the listed providers. Essential City employees will work with their supervisor and Department Director to determine eligibility and receive the documents and forms necessary to enroll.

• The Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) continues their operations of a temporary, overnight shelter at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCC). Last night the KBHCC housed 341 overnight guests.
• OHS is also utilizing hotel rooms to house persons in need of quarantine or persons on the “priority housing” list. Last night 105 people received shelter at local hotels.
• Here are links to the latest FAQ documents regarding essential businesses for the stay-at-home orders: English & Spanish

Updates from Dallas County

• Today Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued an amended order requiring an individual who must leave their place of residence to visit an Essential Business to wear a cloth face mask starting Saturday, April 18. Please see attached Safer At Home Amended Order and FAQ for Cloth Coverings.
• These are the confirmed COVID-19 cases per zip code as of April 15.
• Dallas County has created an interactive map of COVID-19 cases by zip code. The map can be viewed here, https://covid-analytics-pccinnovation.hub.arcgis.com/
• Today Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) reported 80 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count in Dallas County to 2,066. Seven additional deaths are being reported, including five men ranging from 60s to 80s and two women in their 70s and 80s, all had been critically ill in area hospitals.
• Of cases requiring hospitalization, most (69%) have been either over 60 years of age or have had at least one known high-risk chronic health condition.
• Diabetes has been an underlying high-risk health condition reported in about a third (30%) of all hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
• Most (69%) deaths have been male. Fourteen deaths have been associated with long-term care facilities.

Updates from Collin County

• There are 11 new cases of COVID-19 in Collin County today, as of 3:45 p.m.
• There are 190 current cases of COVID-19 in Collin County (total cases minus recovered and deceased).
• There have been 505 total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Collin County.
• 304 people have successfully recovered; 17 are hospitalized; 173 remain in home isolation.
• There have been 11 confirmed deaths associated with COVID-19 in Collin County.
• There have been 2,935 negative COVID-19 tests in Collin County.
• There are 898 Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) in Collin County.
• More information on the cases can be found here.

Updates from Denton County

• Denton County Public Health (DCPH) has announced one additional Denton County resident has died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the total to 15 deaths due to COVID-19 in Denton County. The patient, a male resident of Flower Mound in his 60s, was a previously reported hospitalized, local transmission COVID-19 case in Denton County.
• DCPH is also announcing 17 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Denton County. This increases the cumulative, countywide total to 564 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
• The laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 Denton State Supported Living Center (DSSLC) resident total remains at 54. The cumulative, countywide long-term care facility (LTCF) resident total remains 17. Staff who test positive for COVID-19 from DSSLC and over 100 LTCFs in Denton County are included within the totals for the town, city, unincorporated area, and/or county in which the staff person resides.
• Visit www.dentoncounty.gov/COVIDstats for local COVID-19 data including interactive heat maps, charts, and city and zip code data. 

Updates from the State

Governor Greg Abbott will hold a press conference tomorrow at noon to release details on his plan to jumpstart Texas amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Updates from Federal Partners

The United States Department of the Treasury released guidance on how Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security (CARES) Act funds can be spent by local governments. The City of Dallas is eligible to receive funds from the Act along with other municipalities with 500,000 people or more.

The Office of Senator John Cornyn has shared information on the federal Payroll Protection Program. Small businesses, self-employed individuals, nonprofit organizations, and other entities are eligible for low-interest loans to help cover payroll costs, healthcare benefits, salaries, rent, utilities, and other costs. Applications are open now. Information on how to apply and more information about the program can be found here. 

The Office of Congressman Allred has put together a Small Business Resource Guide with information on resources for businesses being offered by the federal government. Check out the guide here.

Wrongful Eviction Assistance

Dallas County established a tenant helpline for tenants who have been evicted despite the order or who are pending eviction. Before reaching out residents are advised of the following:

• Tenants engaged in criminal activity or causing an imminent threat to health and safety may be subject to eviction prior to the aforementioned date.
• Tenants maintain responsibility for paying their rent.
• Tenants are encouraged to contact their landlord and make sure they are aware when eviction moratoriums are in place.
• When having difficulty paying rent, tenants should attempt to make payments and/or establish a payment schedule with their landlord.

Information about the initial order suspending evictions, is available in English and Spanish at: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/tenant-hotline.php

Email: [email protected] | Call: 214-653-6563 or 833-743-0072

Additionally, here are some frequently asked questions for landlords and tenants about the orders halting evictions that are in effect in the City of Dallas: Spanish and English.

Food Assistance Needed

Dallas County and the North Texas Food Bank have announced they are launching a virtual food bank. This will help to fill in the gaps created by a lack of state and federal funding for food access. Donations instead of food are being encouraged and can be made by visiting www.DallasCountyCovid.org or http://ntfb.org/give. This link has more information on the program.

Dallas Resident Resource Guides

There are a number of resources available to residents and businesses impacted by the emergency regulations that have been put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. The City of Dallas has created a Resident Resource Guide with information on:

• Rental assistance;
• Filing for unemployment;
• Connecting displaced workers to jobs;
• Food assistance;
• Help paying utilities (note: most utility disconnections have been halted during this time);
• Mental health resources;
• Business loan information; and
• Other key resources.

The guide is available in both English and Spanish: 

• Dallas Residents Resource Guide 
• COVID-19 Guia de Recursos para Residentes 3 de Abril

Childcare for Essential Workers

Frontline Child Care provides information on childcare options for Dallas’ frontline workers. The site was launched by Governor Greg Abbott and various state agencies to make sure those still working through this pandemic have access to childcare. Check out the site here.

Dallas Regional Chamber Resources

The Dallas Regional Chamber has set up a site for additional resources for residents and businesses, including information on various state and federal programs. Check out their resource guide here and their site to connect displaced workers to employment opportunities during the pandemic here.

United Way Income Resource Guides

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has put together a list of resources available to Dallas area residents in English and Spanish. Resources include the North Texas Food Bank’s open food pantries, tax filing information, and job opportunities.

Senior Source Resources

This is the link to the Senior Source’s COVID-19 resource guide. The guide includes information for seniors, including information on specific grocery store hours dedicated to seniors, and guidance for those who are caring for seniors during the pandemic. 

If you have more questions about COVID-19, including what you should do if you believe you might have the virus, check out the City’s web page, www.DallasCityHall.com/coronavirus. 

Please share this update. The official page to sign up to receive this newsletter is here. 

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay informed.

Sincerely,

Eric Johnson
Mayor
City of Dallas
[email protected]
(214) 670-3301