The additional deaths being reported today include the following:
- A man in his 20s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
- A woman in her 40s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
- A woman in her 40s who was a resident of the City of Grand Prairie. She expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
- A man in his 70s who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Mesquite. He was found deceased at home 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.
“DCHHS is continuing to work to improve the computer interface to get more accurate and timely data. It may be several days before the switch over to the new system is done. In the meantime, we are providing the data that is currently available. The numbers are low, but they have increased and now is a good time for those who have not been vaccinated to get their vaccine, and for those who have not had a third shot to get this important dose. Go to covid.gov to find a free vaccination near you,” 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:
