Richardson’s updated coronavirus case numbers, openings and new guidelines for city facilities

Richardson has had 1,371 cases of the coronavirus and 27 deaths, according to the most recent information available from Dallas and Collin counties.

A coding error caused a backlog of test results and led to a recent spike in reported COVID-19 cases in Texas.

Collin County commissioners have added a disclaimer to the dashboard that lists the number of coronavirus cases, recoveries and deaths, among other statistics, expressing doubt about the accuracy of the data from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The current statement reads: “Notice: Collin County is providing COVID-19 numbers and data as a convenience to our residents. However, Department of State Health Services (DSHS) officials have acknowledged that the active case count for Collin County is significantly overstated. We advise residents that Collin County lacks confidence in the data currently being provided to us.”

DSHS officials have agreed to immediately redirect resources to correct the issue, but have not provided a timeline on when their reports will be corrected.

On July 27, Gov. Greg Abbott extended the early-voting period for the November 3 election by nearly one week. Under the proclamation, early voting will begin Oct. 13 and continue through Oct. 30.

In Richardson, City Hall will host early and Election Day voting for Dallas County, Don Magner, assistant deputy city manager, said during this week’s city council meeting.

Voter turnout is expected to be three to four times higher than normal this year. Additional considerations for logistics relating to queuing, sanitation and other facts are in the being finalized, Magner said.

The proclamation also extends the period for in-person delivery of marked mail-in ballots to the early-voting clerk’s office. Delivery may be made prior to and on Election Day.

Magner also gave an update on UT Dallas’ plans for the fall semester and how it will affect the city.

“It will feel different this semester,” Magner said of the nearly 30,000-student campus.

The fall semester began Aug. 17, with about 82 percent of courses being offered entirely online. The rest will be a hybrid of online and in-person classes.

Because of social distancing, the number of students that can be in a traditional classroom has been cut by about one-quarter.

An estimated 3,000 students will be living in student housing on campus — about 2,500 fewer than at the same time last year.

A state order requires people over age 10 to wear face coverings inside businesses and other buildings or spaces open to the public. It also requires masks outside in public spaces when it’s not feasible to stay six feet apart from others. Exceptions include when people are eating, drinking, exercising, voting or worshipping. Protests are not considered an exception.

The requirements apply only in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases.

Those who ignore the mandate can face fines of up to $250. The first offense is a warning.

Starting June 1, the Texas Department of State Health Services took over COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing, replacing Collin County’s local health authority and potentially changing the way cases data is reported in the county.

Case reporting for Richardson relies on data from both Collin and Dallas counties. The change briefly paused case reporting for Collin County, but case details are again available on the state dashboard and on Collin County’s dashboard.

Coronavirus cases

Dallas County’s case counts for the city are updated Tuesday and Friday, and Collin County’s are updated daily.

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City closures and cancellations

The city has announced that the Cottonwood Art Festival set for Oct. 3-4, and the Huffhines Art Trails and Pawtoberfest, which were both scheduled for Oct. 17-18, have been canceled.

On its website, the city invites residents who have questions to contact the appropriate department or program.

Public pools: Richardson’s public neighborhood pools opened on July 1.

Canyon Creek, Cottonwood, Glenville and Terrace pools will open at 50 percent capacity, the maximum amount currently allowed by Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest executive order.

Heights Family Aquatic Center will remain closed.

Visitors to Canyon Creek, Cottonwood, Glenville and Terrace pools will be asked to provide their own chairs as deck furniture will not be available. Swim sessions will last two hours, with 30-minute closures for cleaning.

Sherrill Park Golf Course: The course has reopened but is under new guidelines.

Richardson Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho Road: All events are canceled. 972-744-4090. cor.net/departments/civic-center.

Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive: All events scheduled through June 30 were canceled or postponed. 972-744-4650, eisemanncenter.com.

Richardson Library, 900 Civic Center Drive: Beginning May 5, the library implemented its Phase 1 reopening plan to Richardson residents only. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Curbside delivery hours are Monday to Saturday, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. 972-744-4350, cor.net/departments/public-library.

Richardson Municipal Court, 2100 E. Campbell Road: The court facility and the customer service area are open, and all dockets and hearings are conducted remotely via eDocket videoconference. 972-744-4500, cor.net/departments/municipal-court.

Parks and Recreation: Until further notice, all Parks and Recreation programs, classes, athletic leagues, trips, camps and events have been suspended or canceled. All Richardson Senior Center programs and activities are also canceled. The Heights and Huffhines Recreation Centers reopened with modified services and hours beginning Tuesday, May 26. The gymnastics center and the Bush Central Barkway Dog Park are open as of May 19, and the tennis center reopened May 1. 972-744-4300, cor.net/departments/parks-recreation

CORRECTION, 5:59 p.m., May 19, 2020: An earlier version of this story stated that the library was closed, but it reopened with limited hours May 5.