COVID-19 Report: Big Drop in Local COVID-19 Cases Wednesday, Statewide Hospitalizations Fall

Across the largest four counties in North Texas Wednesday there were cumulatively 22 reported COVID-19 deaths and 785 new reported cases of the virus.

Statewide, there Department of State Health Services reported 4,034 new cases of the virus Wednesday (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 179 more deaths through March 16. The percentage of people hospitalized in TSA-E with COVID-19 is at 5.07%, a decrease of .29% from yesterday. Statewide hospitalizations decreased from 3,999 to 3,915.

County-specific details for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties are below based on data reported Wednesday, March 17, by county officials, local health departments and the state health department.

Dallas County

Dallas County reported another 10 COVID-19 deaths Wednesday along with 215 new cases of the virus.

In the last seven days, Dallas County has announced 2,119 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 303 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 358 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Dallas County has also announced 129 deaths, an average of 18 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 24 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 287,451 cases of the virus including 250,028 confirmed cases (PCR) and 37,423 probable cases (antigen). There have been 3,330 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 276,243 recoveries leaving 7,878 estimated active cases in the county.

Tarrant County

Tarrant County reported another nine COVID-19 deaths Wednesday along with 323 new cases of the virus.

In the last seven days, Tarrant County has announced 2,025 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 289 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 326 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Tarrant County has also announced 117 deaths, an average of 17 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 15 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 248,102 cases of the virus including 210,021 confirmed cases (PCR) and 38,081 probable cases (antigen). There have been 3,147 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 237,213 recoveries leaving 7,742 estimated active cases in the county.

Denton County

Denton County reported 236 new cases of the COVID-19 virus Wednesday and no new deaths. Of the new cases, 193 are active while 43 have already cleared recovery protocol.

In the last seven days, Denton County has announced 1,997 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 285 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 416 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Denton County has also announced 16 deaths, an average of 2.3 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 1.4 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 70,579 cases of the virus including 52,542 confirmed cases (PCR) and 18,037 probable cases (antigen). There have been 447 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 60,648 recoveries leaving 9,484 estimated active cases in the county.

Collin County

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 11 new cases of the COVID-19 virus in Collin County Wednesday along with three new deaths.

In the last seven days, the DSHS has announced 737 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 105 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 145 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, the DSHS has also announced 19 deaths in Collin County, an average of 2.7 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 2.6 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the DSHS has reported a total of 85,326 cases of the virus in the county including 71,277 confirmed cases (PCR) and 14,049 probable cases (antigen). There have been 773 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 84,344 recoveries leaving 209 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.