Dallas County Reports First Coronavirus Related Death

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Dallas County reported its coronavirus related death on Thursday amid a surge in the number of confirmed cases across North Texas.

Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 20 additional positive cases of 2019 novel coronavirus in Dallas County. Local public laboratories are no longer required to send “presumptive positive” samples to the CDC for confirmation. Respiratory samples positive for COVID-19 in a public health laboratory will be considered “positive” with no need for further testing.

According to DCHHS, the 20 cases include:

We are reporting 20 new cases today, bringing the total case count in Dallas County to 55
This includes one death which was identified by the Medical Examiner’s office, of an man in his 60’s who was a resident of the city of Richardson. This individual was found deceased in his residence and did not have high-risk chronic health conditions.
The remaining new cases include: six men and two women in their 30’s, two men and two women in their 50’s, two men and three women in their 60’s, one woman in her 70’s and one woman in her 90’s
Three persons were hospitalized, including one in a critical care unit; 16 are self-isolating at residences.
Twelve cases are residents of the city of Dallas, 3 are residents of Garland, 2 are residents of Mesquite, 1 is a resident of Cedar Hill, and 1 is a resident of Farmers Branch.
Five cases are related to domestic out-of-state travel and 2 are related to international travel
Three patients are close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Six have no source or travel risk factor yet identified, and are therefore indicative of community transmission. Four other cases are still under investigation.

“Things will get worse before they get better. How bad this gets is directly tied to how well each of you follow the CDC guidelines and exercise smart personal responsibility,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. “Please also remember to check in on your family, friends and neighbors, especially those who are elderly.”