Dallas County reported 6,589 new coronavirus cases Friday — its second straight day with a new record high — as the county’s health director says the area is experiencing “exponentially increasing” case rates.
The county reported 6,310 new cases on Thursday. Both days’ totals far surpass previous single-day records and signal the alarming spread of the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus.
Local health officials are attributing the rapid rise in cases to the combination of “the impact of holiday gatherings and the omicron variant itself” spreading more easily, said Dr. Philip Huang, the county’s health director.
The variant’s rapid spread is quickly overwhelming already fatigued health care systems.
While omicron is thought to cause less-severe disease than previous coronavirus strains, it still poses a significant risk to the unvaccinated, health experts say. Its rapid spread also has led to staff shortages at area hospitals as health care personnel have had to quarantine or isolate after exposure.
“Even if you’re vaccinated and boosted … you can get the infection,” Huang said. “It’ll be not as serious, but you can still spread it to others. And that’s what we’re seeing a lot of.”
Huang said county officials are hopeful that the omicron surge will peak in the next two weeks or so, “but there’s no guarantee of that.”
In the meantime, he said, people should continue to wear face masks around others, get vaccinated and sign up for a booster shot if they are eligible.
“We’ve got a lot of tools that we have to address this and to slow it down,” Huang said. “We know what works. We just need to stay vigilant and not let our guard down.”
Dallas County also reported 11 additional deaths from the virus Friday.
Of the new cases Friday, 3,837 were confirmed and 2,752 were probable. The numbers bring the county’s overall case total to 455,274, including 381,040 confirmed and 74,234 probable. The death toll is 5,598.
The average number of new daily cases in the county for the past two weeks is 2,228 — about five times as high as the previous 14-day period’s average of 454.
The county reported that 933 people were hospitalized with the virus.
According to the state, 1,737,967 people in Dallas County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 1,485,287 — 60.4% of the county’s population 5 and older — are fully vaccinated.
Texas
Across the state, 54,263 more cases were reported Friday, including 44,857 were confirmed and 9,406 were probable.
The state also reported 114 COVID-19 deaths, raising its toll to 75,128.
The state’s case total is now 4,946,867, including 4,098,354 confirmed and 848,513 probable.
The average number of new daily cases in the state for the last two weeks is 33,981. For the previous 14-day period, the average was 7,646.
There are a total of 9,216 COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state, including 2,844 in North Texas.
According to the state, 19,518,257 people in Texas have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 16,570,425 — 61.4% of the state’s population 5 and older — are fully vaccinated.
Tarrant County
Tarrant County reported 3,952 new cases Friday, along with six deaths from the virus.
Of the new cases, 3,100 were confirmed and 852 were probable. The numbers bring the county’s case total to 412,822, including 338,705 confirmed and 74,117 probable. The death toll is 5,063.
The average number of new daily cases in the county for the last two weeks is 2,305, roughly six times the average of 377 during the previous 14-day period.
The county reported that 965 people were hospitalized with the virus.
According to the state, 1,288,445 people in Tarrant County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 1,129,365 — 58.1% of the county’s population 5 and older — are fully vaccinated.
Collin County
The state added one death and 1,217 cases to Collin County’s totals Friday.
Of the new cases, 839 were confirmed and 378 were probable. The numbers bring the county’s case total to 153,689, including 122,141 confirmed and 31,548 probable. The death toll is 1,223.
The average number of new daily cases in the county for the last two weeks is 1,159. For the previous 14-day period, the average was 186.
The county reported that 429 people were hospitalized with the virus.
According to the state, 757,532 people in Collin County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 665,074 — 69.1% of the county’s population 5 and older — are fully vaccinated.
Denton County
Denton County reported one death and 722 cases Friday.
The numbers bring the county’s case total to 119,240, including 85,344 confirmed and 33,896 probable. The death toll is 766.
The average number of new daily cases in the county for the last two weeks is 335. For the previous 14-day period, the average was 142.
The county reported that 155 people were hospitalized with the virus.
According to the state, 591,905 people in Denton County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 525,880 — 63.4% of the county’s population 5 and older — are fully vaccinated.
Other counties
The Texas Department of State Health Services has taken over reporting for these other North Texas counties. In some counties, new data may not be reported every day.
The latest numbers are:
- Rockwall County: 19,813 cases (14,961 confirmed and 4,852 probable), 230 deaths.
- Kaufman County: 26,979 cases (21,300 confirmed and 5,679 probable), 456 deaths.
- Ellis County: 38,092 cases (29,725 confirmed and 8,367 probable), 495 deaths.
- Johnson County: 32,434 cases (25,540 confirmed and 6,894 probable), 604 deaths.
