Coronavirus hospitalization numbers stabilizing in Dallas-Fort Worth after surge from delta variant

Daily coronavirus hospitalizations in North Texas remain high but are stabilizing, according to health experts.

In Dallas County, the number of hospitalized patients is already on the downswing, according to the latest forecast from UT Southwestern Medical Center, and is expected to fall to about 800 by Oct. 7. During the current surge in cases, the county had peaked at 1,040 hospitalizations on Sept. 10.

The forecast predicts that Tarrant County’s hospitalizations, which have been higher than Dallas County’s in recent weeks, will flatten in the coming weeks and be at about 1,200 on Oct. 7. The forecast says that more Dallas County residents, about 80%, report that they’ve been wearing masks while in public than residents of the other large North Texas counties.

Children — many of whom cannot be vaccinated yet — are still hospitalized at a much higher rate than at any other point in the pandemic, the forecast says. In North Texas, there were 82 pediatric COVID-19 patients on Monday.

Health experts and local officials continue to stress that vaccinations are the best way to slow the virus’ spread.

Noting a poll conducted byand the University of Texas at Tyler found that nearly a quarter of Texans don’t plan to get vaccinated, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins suggested businesses mandate inoculations for workers to help reach herd immunity.

“In order to put the pandemic behind us, private business must lead the way through employer-required vaccination efforts,” Jenkins said in a written statement.

Dallas County

Dallas County reported 89 more COVID-19 deaths and 9,033 new coronavirus cases in the past week.

Of the new cases, 7,429 were confirmed and 1,604 were probable. The numbers bring the county’s overall case total to 376,804, including 321,030 confirmed and 55,774 probable. The death toll is 4,526.

The average number of new daily cases in the county for the last two weeks is 1,390. For the previous 14-day period, the average was 1,222.

The county last reported that 913 people were hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 1,537,584 people in Dallas County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 1,299,183 — 59.6% of the county’s population 12 and older — are fully vaccinated.

Texas

The state reported 110,004 more cases in the past week, including 85,805 confirmed cases and 24,199 probable cases.

The state also reported 1,931 COVID-19 deaths over the past week, raising its toll to 60,832.

The state’s case total is now 3,925,108, including 3,283,786 confirmed and 641,322 probable.

There are a total of 11,710 hospitalizations in the state, including 3,261 in North Texas.

According to the state, 17,061,752 people in Texas have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 14,538,882 — 60.4% of the state’s population 12 and older — are fully vaccinated.

Tarrant County

Tarrant County reported 114 deaths and 9,910 cases in the past week.

Of the new cases, 7,895 were confirmed and 2,015 were probable. The numbers bring the county’s case total to 336,324, including 279,608 confirmed and 56,716 probable. The death toll is 4,132.

The county reported that 935 people were hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 1,145,542 people in Tarrant County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 998,028 — 57.4% of the county’s population 12 and older — are fully vaccinated.

Collin County

The state added 31 deaths and 3,210 cases to Collin County’s totals in the past week.

Of the new cases, 2,559 were confirmed and 651 were probable. The numbers bring the county’s case total to 120,916, including 98,977 confirmed and 21,939 probable. The death toll is 974.

The county reported that 416 people were hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 674,387 people in Collin County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 596,740 — 69.0% of the county’s population 12 and older — are fully vaccinated.

Denton County

Denton County reported 13 deaths and 2,954 cases in the past week.

The numbers bring the county’s case total to 96,986, including 70,729 confirmed and 26,257 probable. The death toll is 684.

The county reported that 189 people were hospitalized with the virus.

According to the state, 528,641 people in Denton County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 472,886 — 63.0% of the county’s population 12 and older — are fully vaccinated.

Other counties

The Texas Department of State Health Services has taken over reporting for these other North Texas counties. In some counties, new data may not be reported every day.

The latest numbers are:

• Rockwall County: 16,025 cases (12,560 confirmed and 3,465 probable), 189 deaths.
• Kaufman County: 21,817 cases (17,712 confirmed and 4,105 probable), 341 deaths.
• Ellis County: 30,145 cases (24,216 confirmed and 5,929 probable), 388 deaths.
• Johnson County: 25,298 cases (20,912 confirmed and 4,386 probable), 445 deaths.