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With four Mesquite residents confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus and more and more cancellations of community events, sports games and concerts, it’s clear the coronavirus will continue to affect our lives in the upcoming weeks.

Mayor Bruce Archer declared a local state of disaster for a public health emergency Monday evening, reinforcing guidelines from Dallas County and the state that residents should comply with shelter-in-place orders.

Here’s how the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is affecting Mesquite.

PUBLIC HEALTH

What you need to know about coronavirus

BY WIRE SERVICES AND TOM STEELE

City/county cases

Dallas County reported 24 more cases of the new coronavirus Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 155, including four in Mesquite. At least one of the Mesquite cases indicates community spread of the illness.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Dallas County reports 19 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 74; Carrollton has its first case

BY OBED MANUEL

Closings across the city

Dallas County residents are ordered to shelter in place, with businesses and activities that are not essential beginning 11:59 p.m. Monday.

That means Mesquite and other residents of the county may exercise and walk their pets outside, but they must stay at least 6 feet from other people. Restaurants may continue to deliver meals, and grocery stores may stay open. DART trains and buses will also continue to run.

The county also cracked down on social gatherings last week, limiting informal meetings, such as house parties or pickup basketball games, to fewer than 10 people to slow the spread of coronavirus.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Dallas County residents ordered to stay home as new shelter-in-place rules are put in place

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins continued to update his orders Sunday to help battle the coronavirus and COVID-19.

BY NIC GARCIA, NATALY KEOMOUNGKHOUN, DANA BRANHAM AND TOM STEELE

The City of Mesquite has suspended all special events, selected Mesquite Arts Center programs, all environmental workshops, all library events and programs, and all city-run athletic leagues for youth and adults until May 1.

“This suspension will allow us to assess this developing situation and adjust as needed,” Mesquite mayor Bruce Archer said in a news release. “Our top priority is public safety and health. We currently see a need to limit large public gatherings. It is our responsibility to play a constructive role in social distancing while maintaining regular operations.

• The Mesquite Library System is closed from March 19 until May 1. The closures include the Main Library, 300 West Grubb Drive; the North Branch Library, 2600 Oates Drive; and the Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N. Galloway Ave.
• Senior centers are closed with all activities suspended.
• Youth and adult athletic leagues operated by the city are suspended until May 1.
• March 28′s Breakfast with the Bunny will not take place.
• The Rodeo Parade set for April 4 is canceled.
• All Mesquite ISD events through April 3 are canceled.

Education

• Mesquite ISD has announced schools will be closed through April 3.
• Administrators will evaluate the decision during the week of March 30 and “re-evaluate the recommendations and our response to determine whether we need to adjust our closure timeline and how we can best serve our students moving forward.”
• Teachers currently are preparing lessons for distance learning with either online tools or printed-out packets.
• Packaged meals for all MISD students are be available for pick-up each weekday, 10 a.m. to noon, at the high schools. Students must be present to receive these meals.