Across the largest four counties in North Texas on Good Friday there were cumulatively 21 reported COVID-19 deaths and 350 new reported cases of the virus, though the health departments in Denton and Tarrant counties did not report due to the holiday.
Statewide, there Department of State Health Services reported 3,367 confirmed and probable new cases of the virus Friday (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 117 more deaths through April 2. The percentage of people hospitalized in TSA-E with COVID-19 is at 3.33, a decrease of .73% from a week ago. Statewide hospitalizations also decreased over the last week from 3,308 to 2,928. In TSA-E, 548 people are hospitalized with the virus, a drop from 667 a week before.
County-specific details for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties are below based on data reported Friday, April 2, by county officials, local health departments and the state health department.
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Dallas County
Dallas County reported another 21 COVID-19 deaths Friday along with 270 new cases of the virus.
In the last seven days, Dallas County has announced 2,063 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 295 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 270 new cases per day.
In the last seven days, Dallas County has also announced 102 deaths, an average of 15 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 14 deaths per day.
Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 291,859 cases of the virus including 252,390 confirmed cases (PCR) and 39,469 probable cases (antigen). There have been 3,571 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 282,364 recoveries leaving 5,924 estimated active cases in the county.
Tarrant County
Tarrant County did not report data on Good Friday. They are expected to resume reporting COVID-19 data on Monday, April 5.
Denton County
Denton County did not report data on Good Friday. They are expected to resume reporting COVID-19 data on Monday, April 5.
Collin County
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 80 new cases of the COVID-19 virus in Collin County Friday along with no new deaths.
In the last seven days, the DSHS has announced 852 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 122 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 87 new cases per day.
In the last seven days, the DSHS has also announced 10 deaths in Collin County, an average of 1.43 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 1.57 deaths per day.
Since March 2020, the DSHS has reported a total of 86,867 cases of the virus in the county including 72,095 confirmed cases (PCR) and 14,772 probable cases (antigen). There have been 797 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 85,860 recoveries leaving 210 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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