The additional death being reported today include the following:
- A man in his 40s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
To date, a total of 2,592 cases with SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified and investigated in residents of Dallas County, including 288 cases of B.1.1.7 (Alpha); 4 cases of B.1.351 (Beta); 1,858 cases of B.1.617.2 (Delta); 31 cases of B.1.427 (Epsilon); 29 cases of P.1 (Gamma); 15 cases of B.1.526 (Iota); 5 cases of C.37 (Lambda); 4 cases of B.1.621 (Mu); 355 cases of B.1.1.529 (Omicron); and 3 cases of P.2 (Zeta). Four hundred and forty-nine cases have been hospitalized and 64 have died. Forty-nine COVID-19 variant cases were reinfections. Seven hundred and thirty-six people were considered fully vaccinated before infection with a COVID-19 variant.
For week 17, area hospital labs have continued to report elevated numbers and proportions of respiratory specimens that are positive for other respiratory viruses by molecular tests: parainfluenza (10.51%), rhinovirus/enterovirus (35.35 %), and RSV (2.79%).
There are currently 15 active long-term care facility outbreaks. A cumulative total of 6,493 residents and 4,365 healthcare workers in long-term facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 1,338 have been hospitalized and 911 have died. About 16% of all deaths reported to date have been associated with long-term care facilities.
There have been 0 outbreaks of COVID-19 in a congregate-living facility (e.g. homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes) reported within the past 30 days. A cumulative total of 1,152 residents and staff members (856 residents and 296 staff) in congregate-living facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
“We’re still in the green threat level of COVID-19 with a low number of cases and hospitalizations. However, the threat of catching COVID is not over. And the best way to protect yourself and COVID is to be vaccinated. If you’ve already been vaccinated but have not received your booster, now’s a good time to get your booster. You can find a shot near you, still for free at vaccines.gov,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
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:
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 6 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 6 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-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% 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:
