COVID-19 Weekly Recap: Hospitalizations Drop Again, Case Averages Slightly Higher

In the last seven days, from April 17-23, statewide hospitalizations for people with COVID-19 are down and while in TSA-E they dropped to levels not seen since April 2020. Meanwhile, the 7-day averages for new cases in the DFW Metroplex continue to fluctuate by county.

Statewide, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported the rolling 7-day average of new confirmed cases increased again from roughly 2,500 on April 23 to 2,700 on April 30.

On Friday, the state reported 59 more COVID-19 deaths, which is above the rolling 7-day average of 53 per day. A week ago, that 7-day average was also 53.

Across the state Friday the DSHS reported 2,682 COVID-19 patients, a slight decrease from the 2,862 patients reported eight days ago.

County-specific details for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Collin counties are below based on data reported between Saturday, April 24, and Friday, April 30, by county officials, local health departments, and the state health department.

Dallas County

In the last seven days, Dallas County reported 1,779 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 254 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 251 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Dallas County has also announced 50 deaths, an average of 7 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 8 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 298,791 cases of the virus including 257,403 confirmed cases (PCR) and 41,388 probable cases (antigen). There have been 3,895 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 290,344 recoveries and, according to the DSHS, an estimated 4,110 active cases in the county.

Tarrant County

In the last seven days, Tarrant County reported 1,296 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 185 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 200 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Tarrant County has also announced 36 deaths, an average of 5.1 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 3 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 256,779 cases of the virus including 215,782 confirmed cases (PCR) and 40,997 probable cases (antigen). There have been 3,419 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 249,056 recoveries and, according to the DSHS, an estimated 4,694 active cases in the county.

Denton County

In the last seven days, Denton County reported 547 new and probable cases of the virus, an average of 78 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 83 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, Denton County has also announced 6 deaths, an average of .85 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of .43 deaths per day.

Since March 2020, the county has reported a total of 74,340 cases of the virus including 54,708 confirmed cases (PCR) and 19,929 probable cases (antigen). There have been 488 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 70,274 recoveries leaving an estimated 3,475 active cases in the county.

Collin County

In the last seven days, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 736 new and probable cases of the virus in Collin County, an average of 105 per day. One week ago, the county was reporting an average of 115 new cases per day.

In the last seven days, the DSHS has also announced 5 deaths in Collin County, an average of .7 deaths per day. One week ago, the county was also reporting an average of .2 death per day.

Since March 2020, the DSHS has reported a total of 89,787 cases of the virus in the county including 73,987 confirmed cases (PCR) and 11,479 probable cases (antigen). There have been 818 deaths attributed to the virus; there are currently an estimated 88,990 recoveries and, according to the DSHS, an estimated 797 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.