Mesquite now has 29 confirmed deaths because of coronavirus.

While state officials look for ways to kick-start the economy and relax shelter-in-place regulations, it’s clear the coronavirus will continue to affect our lives.

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

Coronavirus cases

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

The county announced on April 21 that three more Mesquite residents died because of the virus: A man in his 60s, a woman in her 50s and a women in her 90s. All had been critically ill at area hospitals, the county said.

The death of a Mesquite man in his 60s on April 29 marked the city’s fifth fatality because of the coronavirus. On May 2, Dallas County announced a Mesquite man in his 90s who had been the resident of a long-term care facility had died because of the virus.

On May 5, the county informed citizens that another Mesquite resident, a man in his 60s who was a resident of a long-term care facility, had died.

The deaths of two Mesquite women were announced May 13. One was a resident of a long-term care facility in her 60s and the other was in her 70s.

Three Mesquite residents — a man in his 60s, a woman in her 60s and a man in his 90s, were announced dead on May 19, when the country reported its record high of 14 in a single day.

A Mesquite woman in her 80s who lived at a long-term facility died, the county announced May 21. The death of a Mesquite man in his 70s a day was announced a day earlier.

Memorial Day Weekend brought more bad news, with the county announcing the death of a man in his 80s who was a resident of a Mesquite long-term care facility on May 23, and the death of a Mesquite woman in her 70s who also lived at a long-term care facility.

Officials announced the death of a Mesquite man in his 70s on May 26. He was a resident of a long-term care facility.

Three more victims who lived at long-term care facilities in Mesquite, a man and two women, all in their 80s, were announced dead May 27.

The death of a Mesquite man in his 90s who was a resident at a long-term care facility was announced June 2 as part of a record-high 16 COVID-related deaths announced in Dallas County that day.

A Mesquite woman in her 90s who was the resident of a long-term care facility was announced to have died on June 13.

On June 17, the county announced the death of two Mesquite men who were in their 60s.

Officials announced the death of a man in his 90s without underlying conditions but who was a resident of a long-term care facility on June 18.

Closings across the city

Dallas County residents were ordered to shelter in place until May 15, with businesses that are not essential required to closed, after Dallas County commissioners voted to extend the order past Governor Greg Abbott’s statewide requirements. Gradually, many restrictions have been lifted.

Abbott loosened regulations on bars, factories and gyms on June 3, plus allowed restaurants to open at up to 75% capacity with maximum party size now set at 10. He also paved the way for sporting events to return with venues at 50% capacity. Museums and rodeos like the Mesquite Championship Rodeo also were cleared to up their cap to 50%.

.Other guidelines Abbott issued April 27:

• Barber shops, hair salons and gyms must wait until mid-May at the earliest to reopen. Abbott then announced on May 5 that barber shops and salons will be able to open May 8 with gyms allowed to get back to business by May 18.

• Outdoor sports such as golf and tennis may resume with no more than four participants in a match, and they must observe social distancing guidelines.
• Museums and public libraries can reopen, though a city doesn’t have to let them.
• Businesses can decide not to open.

Even with the governor’s new regulations in place, many Mesquite buildings and businesses are staying closed. The AMC 30 movie theater will not reopen until a later date, the company said. The Mesquite Public Library also is keeping its two branches closed despite being allowed to open but has rolled out a curbside pickup program.

Gov. Abbott previously modified regulations April 17, allowing previously nonessential retailers to begin providing pickup service or delivery on April 24. Restrictions on elective procedures and surgeries also will be relaxed.

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 now are permitted to open their dining rooms at 25% capacity. Grocery stores remain open. DART trains and buses will also continue to run, however the schedule has been modified.

The City of Mesquite 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. The suspension is being extended.

“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, however the library has launched a curbside pickup program.

• The Mesquite Animal Shelter is closed.
• Senior centers are closed with all activities suspended.
• Rec centers remain closed.
• Youth and adult athletic leagues operated by the city remain suspended.
• All water utility customers having financial challenges paying their bill are encouraged to contact Water Utility Billing at 972-216-6208.
• The city is delaying a decision on summer camps and whether or not to open public swimming pools.
• More information can be found on the city’s coronavirus website

Education

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced April 17 that all schools would remain online-only through the rest of the school year.

Mesquite ISD is planning to conduct graduation ceremonies at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

• All Mesquite ISD events are canceled.
• Teachers prepared 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.