Across the largest four counties in North Texas on Saturday there were 47 more COVID-19 deaths reported and another 716 new reported cases of the virus. Meanwhile, the percentage of people hospitalized for COVID-19 continues to drop and is now at 5.34% in TSA-E.
County-specific details for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties are below based on data reported Saturday, March 13, by county officials, local health departments and the state health department.
Got a question about the COVID-19 vaccine? Get the answers here in our FAQ.
Dallas County
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Dallas County reported another 24 COVID-19 deaths Saturday along with 267 cases of the virus. In the last seven days, the county has announced 2,341 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 334 per day, and 177 deaths, an average of 25 deaths per day.
Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 286,351cases of the virus including 249,246 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,105 probable cases (antigen). There have been 3,299 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 273,944 recoveries leaving 9,108 estimated active cases in the county.
Tarrant County
Tarrant County Public Health added another 23 COVID-19 deaths Saturday along with 303 new cases of the virus. In the last seven days, the county has announced 2,179 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 311 per day, and 102 deaths, an average of 15 deaths per day.
Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 247,136 cases of the virus including 209,311 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,825 probable cases (antigen). There have been deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 235,831 recoveries leaving 8,208 estimated active cases in the county.
Denton County
Denton County Public Health reports an additional 65 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. Of the new cases reported, DCPH confirmed 42 are active while 23 have already cleared recovery protocol.
Since March 2020, Denton County has reported a total of 69,633 cases of the virus including 51,818 confirmed cases (PCR) and 17,815 probable cases (antigen). There have been 431 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 59,124 recoveries leaving 10,143 estimated active cases in the county.
Collin County
The Texas Department of State Health Services reports 81 new cases of the virus including 43 confirmed (PCR) new cases and 38 probable (antigen) cases. The state also added 120 recoveries.
Since March 2020, the DSHS has reported a total of 84,925 cases of the virus in Collin County including 70,988 confirmed cases (PCR) and 13,588 probable cases (antigen). There have been 763 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 83,681 recoveries leaving 481 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 Latest
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.
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