Your Dallas Coronavirus Update for Monday, March 16

Here's where we stand, as of Monday morning: There are 14 confirmed positive cases of the novel coronavirus in Dallas County. That's up from eight Friday afternoon. Thirteen of those case have been linked to travel, be it international, domestic or on a cruise. Collin County has reported eight cases...

By Stephen Young

March 16, 2020

Image: This thing, the coronavirus, is making everything weird.

This thing, the coronavirus, is making everything weird. KTSDESIGN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21721571",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21861991",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17105533",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18349797",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "22608066",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18349797",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17357520",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Here's where we stand, as of Monday morning: There are 14 confirmed positive cases of the novel coronavirus in Dallas County. That's up from eight Friday afternoon. Thirteen of those cases have been linked to travel, be it international, domestic or on a cruise. Collin County has reported eight cases and Denton County confirmed its first positive test for COVID-19 over the weekend.

On a more positive note, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced Saturday that the man suffering from the county's first reported case of the coronavirus has been released from the hospital.

Dallas' annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, slated for Saturday, didn't happen, but pockets of revelers could be seen throughout the city at bars and restaurants, ignoring the advice of public health experts.

Many Dallas churches elected to hold their services online Sunday. Robert Jeffress and First Baptist Dallas did not, adhering to the letter of a Dallas County directive banning gatherings of more than 500 people by worshiping in separate parts of the church's massive downtown campus.

We had a TREMENDOUS day of worship at First Baptist Dallas! Also, had over 150,000 watch on internet. You can see a rebroadcast tonight at 6pm CT by going to https://t.co/xvpkucVPll.
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) March 15, 2020

Sunday night, the Centers for Disease Control recommended against all gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.

Cities across the U.S. have elected to limit bars and restaurants to making deliveries and preparing take-out. Dallas hasn't done so yet, nor has Dallas ISD made an announcement about canceling classes next week, when students return from spring break. City schools are currently undergoing a deep cleaning.

The Dallas County Community College District announced Monday afternoon that it is extending spring break one week. That means no classes until March 29. During the extended break, faculty and staff will work to make their classes online-friendly. When students return, all classes will be online only.

“Because every decision we make has a far-reaching impact on our students, we are taking steps to minimize their health risk, while still maximizing our students’ opportunity to complete a college degree/credential,” DCCCD Chancellor Joe May said.

If students return to the classroom this school year, they will not be taking the STAAR assessment test. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott canceled it Monday morning.

Other Notes:

Parkland Hospital will begin drive-thru coronavirus testing this afternoon. The tests will be available only to patients with an order from a Parkland doctor, according to the hospital.

All jury trials have been canceled in Dallas County until May 8.

Dallas County Cancels All Jury Trials through May 8, 2020 pic.twitter.com/q1crFHSaXk
— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) March 16, 2020

Sen. Ted Cruz remains in self-quarantine, following his discovery that he'd been potentially exposed to coronavirus for a second time.

Wow. Suddenly making my own quarantine feel very unproductive. https://t.co/F6RoygdyTN
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 15, 2020

Stephen Young has written about Dallas news for the Observer since 2014. He's a Dallas native and a graduate of the University of North Texas.

A message from News Editor Kelly Dearmore: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today