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Cases of COVID-19 climbed to 8,517 in Mesquite, making it among the hardest-hit cities in Dallas County.
The city has an additional 911 probable cases. In total, 73 Mesquite residents have died from the virus.
Dallas County has reported 149,533 confirmed cases and 16,697 probable cases. The county has recorded 1,391 COVID-19 deaths, a combined figure for probable and confirmed deaths.
County Judge Clay Jenkins warned of an “unprecedented high spread” of the virus and urged people to plan ahead to avoid crowds when the risk of transmission is so high.
“Any outbreak will eventually lead to someone, whether you know them or not, getting the virus and having a very bad outcome,” he said.
The Dallas County Health Department reported 110 school-aged children in Mesquite tested positive for the virus the week ending Dec. 5, the most recent week for which figures are available.
Health officials use hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and emergency room visits as key metrics to track the real-time impact of COVID-19 in the county. In the 24-hour period that ended Tuesday, 838 COVID-19 patients were in acute care in hospitals in the county. During the same period, 565 ER visits were for symptoms of the disease.
Capacity at businesses in the state hospital region that includes Mesquite remains at 50%, as COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for 17.36% of North Texas hospital beds Wednesday — topping Gov. Greg Abbott’s 15% threshold.
Across the state, 18,007 more cases and 252 COVID-19 deaths were reported Wednesday. Texas has now reported 1,519,340 total cases and 24,394 fatalities.
The seven-day average positivity rate statewide for molecular tests, based on the date of test specimen collection, was 13.8% as of Tuesday. State health officials said using data based on when people were tested provides the most accurate positivity rate.
Dallas County’s case counts for Mesquite are updated Tuesday and Friday.
Here are other ways the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, is affecting Mesquite.
Dallas County’s case counts for the city are updated Tuesday and Friday.
| Mesquite | Dallas County | |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed cases | 8,517 | 149,533 |
| Deaths | 73 | 1,391 |
Changes around the city
- Mesquite Social Services, which has served Mesquite-area residents for nearly 58 years, announced it would close, citing the pandemic.
- The Mesquite Animal Shelter is practicing social distancing and requesting all patrons wear a mask or facial covering to enter the facility.
- Senior centers are closed with all activities suspended.
- All water utility customers having financial challenges paying their bill are encouraged to contact Water Utility Billing at 972-216-6208.
- More information can be found on the city’s coronavirus website.
Education
Mesquite ISD’s campuses are open, though parents also have the option to have their students learn virtually using the Virtual Learning Academy. Updates can be found at the district’s coronavirus info site.