COVID-19 Report: 1,301 Cases, 26 Deaths Announced Monday; Statewide Hospitalizations Fall Below 4,000

Across the largest four counties in North Texas Monday there were 26 more reported COVID-19 deaths and another 1,301 new reported cases of the virus.

Statewide, there were 1,900 new cases of the virus reported Monday (state case data is typically one day behind local health departments and the numbers reported in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin today will be reported by the state tomorrow) along with 27 more deaths. The percentage of people hospitalized in TSA-E with COVID-19 is at 5.39%, a slight increase of .08% and the only increase reported since Feb. 28 and the first increase reported since the lifting of the mask mandate.

County-specific details for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties are below based on data reported Monday, March 15, by county officials, local health departments and the state health department.

Dallas County

Dallas County reported another 10 COVID-19 deaths Monday along with 379 new cases of the virus.

In the last seven days, Dallas County has announced 2,415 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 345 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 465 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Dallas County has also announced 160 deaths, an average of 23 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 23 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 286,925 cases of the virus including 249,625 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,300 probable cases (antigen). There have been 3,309 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 274,880 recoveries leaving 8,736 estimated active cases in the county.

Tarrant County

Tarrant County reported another 13 COVID-19 deaths Monday along with 201 new cases of the virus.

In the last seven days, Tarrant County has announced 2,164 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 309 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 366 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Tarrant County has also announced 111 deaths, an average of 16 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 19 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 247,549 cases of the virus including 209,635 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,914 probable cases (antigen). There have been 3,132 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 236,706 recoveries leaving 7,711 estimated active cases in the county.

Denton County

Denton County reported 308 new cases of the COVID-19 virus Monday and no new deaths. Of the new cases, 212 are active while 96 have already cleared recovery protocol.

In the last seven days, Denton County has announced 2,230 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 319 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 438 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Denton County has also announced six deaths, an average of .9 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 1.6 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 70,006 cases of the virus including 52,045 confirmed cases (PCR) and 17,961 probable cases (antigen). There have been 431 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 59,849 recoveries leaving 9,726 estimated active cases in the county.

Collin County

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 218 new cases of the COVID-19 virus in Collin County Monday along with three new deaths.

In the last seven days, the DSHS has announced 1,031 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 147 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 129 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, the DSHS has also announced 18 deaths in Collin County, an average of 2.6 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 3.3 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the DSHS has reported a total of 85,182 cases of the virus in the county including 71,177 confirmed cases (PCR) and 14,005 probable cases (antigen). There have been 767 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 83,992 recoveries leaving 423 estimated active cases in the county.

Want to Get on a Vaccine Waitlist?

County health departments have launched waitlists for adults 16 years old and over.

You can register to recieve the vaccination in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties. Links are below:

Waitlist Links: Collin - Search Waitlist | Dallas | Denton | Tarrant

You do not need to be a resident of the county to register for a COVID-19 vaccine in that county -- registration is open to anyone in Texas. For those without internet access, Tarrant County is also taking registrations by phone at 817-248-6299. In Dallas County, call the DCHHS vaccine hotline at 1-855-IMMUNE9 (1-855-466-8639). In Denton County, call 940-349-2585.

For a more detailed breakdown of who is included in each priority group in Texas, see this page from the Texas DSHS.

COVID-19 Vaccines

In Texas, the COVID-19 vaccines are currently available to anyone over the age of 5. The vaccines are still not approved for children younger than 5 however -- those trials are ongoing.

Once vaccinated, people who received either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines are expected to get some level of protection within a couple of weeks after the first shot, but full protection may not happen until a couple of weeks after the second shot. For those who receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine -- there is only one shot needed.

As of Jan. 3, 2022, it is also recommended those who are age 12 and up and who have been fully vaccinated receive a booster as early as five months after their last dose, for a total of three shots. The vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech is the only U.S. option for children of any age.

As for even younger children, kid-size doses for 5- to 11-year-olds rolled out in November and experts said healthy youngsters should be protected after their second dose for a while. But the FDA also said on Jan. 3, 2022, that if children that young have severely weakened immune systems, they will be allowed a third dose 28 days after their second. That’s the same third-dose timing already recommended for immune-compromised teens and adults.

Pfizer and Moderna are studying their vaccines, in even smaller doses, for children younger than 5.

Even when fully vaccinated, it's still possible to become infected by the virus since none of the vaccines offer 100% protection from infection. With that in mind, even if you've been vaccinated it's still a good idea to wear a mask and keep some separation between strangers or those whose vaccination status is unclear.