Dallas County reports 171 new coronavirus cases on Memorial Day, continuing declining trend

Updated at 8:20 p.m.: Revised to include a Tarrant County inmate’s death.

Dallas County reported 171 more cases of the coronavirus Monday, continuing a trend from last week of lower case numbers.

The county also reported no new deaths from the virus Monday, which County Judge Clay Jenkins said he considered a Memorial Day “present.”

It was the first day the county didn’t report a death since May 10.

Nevertheless, Jenkins urged residents to continue social distancing and other practices to maintain the county’s progress in the fight against the pandemic.

“All of us are in a place of sacrifice now, albeit not as great as the sacrifice of our veterans,” he said in a written statement, referring to Memorial Day. “It’s up to all of us to make smart choices and delay unnecessary shopping or dining trips to protect not only ourselves but our community."

The county had a lower number of cases last week, reporting about 30 fewer each day compared with the previous week’s average. But the county also had 35 deaths last week from the virus, including a single-day record of 14 deaths last Tuesday.

Jenkins said there needs to be a 14-day decline in hospitalizations and ICU admissions before people should try activities such as in-person dining.

Earlier this month, he unveiled a color-coded chart to help navigate a return to a new normal. The chart is divided into four risk zones, and Dallas County is in the red zone, which recommends the most precautions.

“Whether this trend continues and we move from our current status of red ‘stay home, stay safe’ to orange, is up to all of us,” Jenkins said Monday. “Avoiding crowds, maintaining a 6-foot distance, wearing our face covering as a quintessential American value of an act of kindness and protection to essential workers and patrons when we are in business or on public transportation, and practicing good hygiene are the best ways to flatten the curve.”

As of Monday, Dallas County has had 8,998 cases of the coronavirus and 211 deaths. The county does not report recovery numbers.

Tarrant County

Tarrant County provided no new information Monday, in observance of Memorial Day.

As of Sunday, the county had reported 4,977 COVID-19 cases and 144 deaths. Tarrant County has seen 1,834 recoveries.

The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department said Monday that an inmate at the county jail died Saturday from the coronavirus. The 67-year-old man, who was being held on DWI charges, had underlying health issues and had been in a hospital since May 3.

The inmate, whose name was not released, has not yet been included in the county’s official toll.

Denton County

Health officials in Denton County reported nine new positive coronavirus tests Monday, raising the county’s total to 1,233.

No new deaths were reported. The county has recorded 30 deaths from the virus, along with 621 recoveries.

Collin County

Six new coronavirus cases were reported Monday in Collin County.

The county has had 1,157 total cases, with 33 deaths. Officials say 20 patients remain hospitalized, while 805 have recovered.

Rockwall County

Rockwall County officials had reported 168 coronavirus cases as of their last update Friday. Eleven residents have died from the virus, and 128 have recovered.

Kaufman County

As of its last update Friday, Kaufman County has reported 179 total COVID-19 cases, including one death and 144 people who are presumed to have recovered.

Ellis County

Ellis County has reported a total of 295 cases of COVID-19, including 242 recoveries and 12 deaths.

The county said the state health department would not be reporting case updates through the Memorial Day weekend.

Johnson County

Johnson County has reported a total of 173 cases, including four deaths. Of the total cases, 118 have been released from isolation.

The county’s emergency management office said last week that it expects to get new case data from the state Tuesday.

Blood drive

Dallas Summer Musicals and Carter BloodCare are having a three-day blood drive this week at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at the Music Hall, 909 First Ave.

Carter BloodCare said it hopes to receive at least 100 donations each day.

Donors must wear masks at all times while inside the Music Hall. For more information or to make an appointment, call or text 800-366-2834 or visit carterbloodcare.org.