Irving cases pass 1,000 as Dallas County passes 10,000, plus other coronavirus updates

Dallas County reported Tuesday that cases of the novel coronavirus in Irving have risen to 1,158, an increase of 124 cases since Friday. Behind Dallas itself, Irving has the most cases of any city in the county. So far 14 Irving residents have died from the virus in recent weeks.

Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued a proclamation expanding additional services and activities that can open under Phase 2 of the state’s plan to safely and strategically open. Water parks, recreational sport programs for adults, driver education programs and food-court dining areas within shopping malls can begin operations with limited occupancy or regulations to protect the health and safety of Texans.

Read below for more information about the impact the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has had on Irving.

Coronavirus cases

Dallas County’s case counts for Irving are updated Tuesday and Friday.

Guidelines and testing updates

Here are some of the guidelines Abbott has issued, including Monday’s latest phase 2 announcement:

• Restaurants can expand to 50% capacity.
• Bars can reopen at 25% capacity, along with bingo parlors, bowling alleys, rodeos and zoos.
• Gyms can open up at 25% capacity while customers must wear gloves and maintain six feet of distance. Showers and locker rooms at gyms must remain closed.
• Salons, barbershops, nail salons and tanning salons are allowed to reopen while following safety guidelines.
• Beginning Friday, water parks can open but must limit their occupancy to 25% of normal operating limits. Components of these water parks that have video arcades must remain closed.
• Nonessential manufacturers may also resume production if they keep occupancy at 25% and keep their workers 6 feet apart.
• Office buildings may open up at 25% capacity or five or less workers, whichever is greater.
• Starting Sunday, recreational sports programs for adults can resume, but games and similar competitions may not begin until June 15th.
• By May 31, youth sports and overnight camps can resume, along with professional sports (without fans).
• Driver education programs can resume operations immediately.
• Food-court dining areas within shopping malls can also resume operations, but malls are encouraged to designate one or more people who are responsible for ensuring health and safety practices are followed.
• By June, summer school can resume.
• Businesses can decide not to open.

In cautioning residents to continue to stay home whenever possible, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins referred to a color-coded chart he unveiled recently that outlines four risk zones for the county: red, orange, yellow and green. The chart is meant to give residents guidance on how, and when, they can participate in normal daily activities.

Dallas County has two drive-through testing centers at American Airlines Center in Dallas and the Ellis Davis Field House in the Red Bird area. There are also additional testing sites coming to select Walmarts in Dallas County.

Irving itself will also now have a drive-through testing center at the Walgreens at 1330 N. Belt Line Rd. Appointments are required. Appointments are also required to two CVS locations now providing tests, at 3401 W. Walnut Hill Lane and 1333 Story Rd.

City and Business Reopenings

• Some restaurants are reopening for dine-in service while others will remain closed or stay carry-out only. Contact the restaurant for details on their offerings.

• Some businesses and stores are reopening under new guidelines; see breakdown of Abbott’s phase 1 and 2 regulations in bullet list above.
• The Irving Golf Club is open.
• The Hunter Ferrell Landfill is open to public access.
• Irving Public Libraries: South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Dr.; West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road; and Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail, branches are reopening on an appointment-only basis June 1. Drive-through and curbside services will continue for the time being. The East Library and Learning Center will remain closed.
• Irving City Hall is open. All public business will be conducted in the west side of the first floor lobby of City Hall adjacent to the City Council Chambers. Several city departments will be available to assist visitors with various needs, including inspections, permitting, code enforcement and water utilities. Upon entering City Hall, Irving Fire Department medical personnel will screen all visitors as a safety precaution.
• City of Irving Dog Park, 4140 Valley View Lane, reopens June 1.
• Lively Pointe Skate Park, 909 N. O’Connor Road, reopens June 1.
• Park Pavilion Rentals, located at parks throughout Irving, reopen June 1, limited to groups of 15 or less.
• Recreation centers at Cimarron Park, 201 Red River Trail; Lee Park, 3000 Pamela Drive; and Senter Park, 901 S. Senter St., reopen June 8.
• Heritage Aquatic Center, 200 S. Jefferson St., reopens June 8.
• Irving Art Center galleries reopen July 1.

City and Business Closures

• The Texas Lottery Live free concert series at the Toyota Music Factory is canceled until further notice.
• Events at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory are canceled or postponed until further notice.
• All city museums are closed.
• Heritage Senior Center is closed, along with all of its associated activities/events.
• All Irving Fire Stations are closed to casual visitors.
• The Irving Police Department’s Records and Property Room sections are closed to the public.
• All athletic fields for practices, league play and tournaments are closed.
• The City of Irving will manage public access at the Irving Animal Care Campus (IACC), 4140 Valley View Lane. Managed access will remain in effect until further notice. All volunteer and community service activities are suspended.

Education

• Irving ISD students will continue distance learning through the end of this academic year in May. Parents may access their child’s daily learning schedule and assignments — as well as information on free lunches and technology device reservations at www.irvingisd.net/learningplans. The district has set up a coronavirus web page regularly updated with developments.
• The Highlands School has moved to e-learning.
• The Islamic School of Irving has extended online learning through the end of the school year.
• Holy Family Catholic Academy is doing online classes.
• North Lake College, part of the Dallas County Community College District, has begun online classes for the remainder of the semester. It has also postponed its commencement ceremony, but says that the conferring of degrees and certificates won’t be affected.
• The University of Dallas has put all classes online for the remainder of the spring semester. Commencement has been postponed until October but the conferring of degrees won’t be impacted. UD has also established a fund to help students affected by the ongoing crisis.

Places of worship

Gov. Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have put forth guidelines for houses of worship to follow when reopening their doors to parishioners. Check with your church to see if and when they’re reopening their doors, and to ensure they follow social distancing and health guidelines.