Home / Dallas News / The latest coronavirus case numbers in Plano, plus resources for residents during the pandemic

The latest coronavirus case numbers in Plano, plus resources for residents during the pandemic

Plano’s coronavirus case numbers include 4,161 confirmed cases and 26 deaths, according to the most recent data available.

Reporters at The Dallas Morning News are looking to talk with people who have had COVID-19 about how they’ve recovered — or if their symptoms still linger.

If you’re willing to speak with a reporter about your experience, fill out the form at the bottom of this story. We won’t publish your information without your permission.

More changes are coming in how coronavirus cases are reported in Collin County. A message at the top of the Collin County coronavirus dashboard website states that “due to continued inaccuracies,” the county will remove its dashboard and redirect citizens to the state site on Oct. 30.

In recent weeks, the state reporting system has been plagued with inaccuracies, backlogs and other reporting issues.

Due to changes and glitches in state data, the city has adjusted its COVID-19 case reporting, said city spokesman Steve Stoler.

“In early September, the state informed Collin County that the current case numbers only reflect cases after June 1,” Stoler said. “This means the updates the city of Plano has distributed since June 1 have been incomplete. The state announced thousands of cases across Texas had never been reported, and had to be reconciled into current data. This caused concern as the city’s goal from the beginning was to provide accurate and timely information.”

Plano is directing people to its dashboard, which is updated on a daily basis with data from the state’s system.

The dashboard includes links to the COVID-19 dashboards for the state of Texas, Collin County, Denton County and the University of Texas at Dallas, Stoler said.

“We also added a screenshot to the city dashboard reflecting the COVID-19 cases as reported through June 1,” he added. “Because the state’s data does not include those numbers, we chose to offer a complete picture of all the COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic in March.”

The state is no longer reporting deaths per city. Plano’s website still lists the current number of cases by ZIP code, according to the most recent information available.

“All the information we shared with the media and on social media is still available, updated daily,” Stoler said. “We haven’t stopped reporting. We have simply stopped duplicating work. This change to how we provide information is in no way related to the status of COVID-19 in our community.”

City leaders are continuing to look for ways to provide “meaningful and useful information to our community” regarding COVID-19, Stoler said.

“We’re providing as much information as we have access to,” he said.

State health officials are still working with Collin County to update a backlog of COVID-19 cases, the city wrote in a Sept. 1 Facebook post. “We will not post new numbers until the data is accurately updated. The City of Plano only reports data we receive from The Texas Health Trace system, courtesy of Collin County.”

Due to multiple changes in reporting methods, there could be discrepancies in figures.

Coronavirus cases

Plano Collin County
Confirmed 4,365 17,883
Active 201 969
Recovered 4,155 16,914
Hospitalized N/A 195
Deaths 26 177
ZIP code Cases
75023 689
75024 511
75025 542
75074 1,104
75075 624
75093 909
75094 15

City services

The recreation centers are open for members only. Access is currently restricted to the walking/running track, fitness area and lap swimming, racquetball and squash courts, open play badminton, table tennis and pickle ball. All patrons entering the recreation center must wear a mask.

Masks may be removed while:

  • Swimming
  • Using the cardio machines
  • Playing squash or racquetball
  • Playing table tennis, badminton, or pickle ball

Masks must be worn:

  • In the free weight and weight machine areas
  • On the running/walking track
  • While waiting to play badminton, table tennis, pickle ball, squash or racquetball
  • While in the lobby, hallways, restrooms and locker rooms

Additional details are available on the city’s website.

The city is continuing to monitor the pandemic and will move to the next phase of operations, and allow access to additional amenities accordingly.

The Sam Johnson Recreation Center for adults 50 and older will not reopen until state and local public health confirm there is no widespread community transmission of COVID-19.

Fall classe

Fall classes began the week of Oct. 5.

Keep your email address on your Recreation Online account up-to-date to help ensure you are notified as circumstances change. Updates to fall programming are also listed on the city’s website and on social media.

A list of classes is available through the online Recreation Catalog or at Recreation Online. Registration and additional information is available on the parks and recreation web page.

Dog parks, Carpenter State Park

On May 21, the Bob Woodruff, Jack Carter and Windhaven Meadows dog parks and the Carpenter Park Skate Park reopened. Patrons are asked to observe social distancing protocols.

Recreation classes, trips

Refunds are being given as a credit on your account for recreation classes and trips that were canceled. Questions about a specific class may be answered via email at parksinfo@plano.gov.

Plano Public Library

The city is opening library locations for “grab and go” services. Patrons are now able to go to the library and browse materials and pick up items they’ve placed on hold using a self-checkout system. Face coverings are required at all times.

Grab and go times are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Additional information is available on the Plano Public Library website.

Online services

  • Access to digital resources (e-books, e-newspapers, e-magazines, e-audio and databases)
  • Classes and programs for all ages (calendar)
  • New library cards: Apply online, two- to three-day processing time

Additional details are available on the library’s website.

Sports leagues

Plano Parks & Recreation announced the return of adult recreation programs. Additional information is available on the website.

Those who do not wish to return to recreation facilities at this time may call or email Plano Parks & Recreation. Monthly auto-renewal memberships can changed so they do not renew again.

More information is available on the Parks & Recreation COVID-19 FAQs page.

Eviction, homelessness concerns

To help prevent homelessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is offering limited rent and utility assistance. Plano’s Homelessness Prevention Program has been temporarily expanded to assist with hotel payments for qualified applicants. Assistance being offered includes:

  • Interim COVID-19 hotel assistance for people at risk of homelessness: This program provides temporary assistance may be available for people living in a hotel in Plano who lack the resources and support to avoid becoming homeless.
  • Interim COVID-19 hotel assistance for people experiencing Homelessness: Temporary assistance is available for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Plano. They must either be referred by the Plano Police Department, test positive for COVID-19, or have a documented recommendation from a medical professional to quarantine or self-isolate.
  • Rent and mortgage assistance for residents at risk of becoming homeless: Temporary assistance maybe available for residents with a lease agreement or mortgage who have received a late notice or notice to vacate.

The city’s homeless program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs.

The amount of funding the city receives for the program is directly tied to the Census count. Residents are asked to complete the 2020 Census form so the city can receive “its fair share” of federal funding.

PPE litter causing problems

Residents and visitors in Plano are causing a problem by discarding personal protective equipment “everywhere,” according to Plano officials. Discarded masks and gloves are being tossed across parking lots, streets, parks and creeks, the city stated in an announcement.

If caught, litterers can face a fine of up to $500, according to the city. Residents are asked to carry a plastic bag in their car to store PPE items until they can be properly discarded. Another option is creating a reusable cloth face covering.

Questions about COVID-19?

The city’s COVID-19 hotline may be reached at 972-941-5922, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Messages left after regular hours will be returned the next day.

During the pandemic, the city activated its emergency operations center, which is open during regular business hours.

Check Also

How to find Rangers home opener tickets

The World Champion Texas Rangers are hosting the Chicago Cubs for the Rangers’ home opener …