FEDS WILL FUND DALLAS TEST SITES THROUGH MAY 20

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson announced today, April 8, that the federal government will continue to fund the coronavirus test sites at the American Airlines Arena and the ellis Davis Field House in South Dallas through May 30.

Dallas County reports 63 new confirmed coronavirus infections, down from the previous day by more than a third for a total of 1,324 cases in the county. One new death was reported. A man from Rowlett in his 60s with underlying health conditions was Dallas County’s 20th death.

Statewide, 9,353 cases have been confirmed in Texas and there have been a total of 177 deaths . To put that in perspective, New York had 779 deaths just yesterday.

TEXAS STATE PARKS CLOSED AS OF EOB TODAY

Texas State Parks will be closed to the public effective at the close of business today (Tuesday, April 7), at the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott. The closure is intended to “maintain the safest environment for visitors, volunteers and staff,” according to a statement from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

TPWD “will continue to stay current with the latest public health recommendations and will announce when a definite reopening date has been determined,” officials said in a statement.

TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith said, “Given the myriad of challenges and heightened risks of operating the parks at this time, we believe this is the best course of action right now in order to meet the health and safety expectations the state has set out for the citizens of Texas,. All state parks will remain temporarily closed until public health and safety conditions improve. During the closure, staff will continue to steward and care for the parks to ensure they can be immediately reopened to visitors at the appropriate time.”

Smith also said that Outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, biking, jogging, walking, hiking, wildlife viewing and the like “are essential activities for Texas citizens,” and that his department will “continue to do its part to actively encourage and promote these opportunities in ways that are safe and close to home.”

While parks are closed to the public, staff will be working to help maintain the standard upkeep, maintenance, stewardship, and continued regular cleaning of site facilities. The Texas State Parks Customer Service Center is currently contacting customers with upcoming overnight reservations to reimburse stays booked through the reservation system. Group and facility reservations have been cancelled until April 30. Cancelled reservations will not be charged normal administrative fees.

Day passes purchased through the reservation system, not associated to the Texas State Parks Pass, will also be refunded without penalties.

Questions regarding state park reservations can be emailed to customer.service@tpwd.texas.gov, and general park information can be found at TexasStateParks.org.

LATEST STATS FROM CHINA, NEW YORK AND DALLAS

China reported its first day this year with no deaths from COVID-19 and ended the lockdown in Wuhan, where the pandemic began.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said 731 more people died in his state on Monday, April 6. That total was also the largest single-day increase in deaths from the virus. The total number of deaths is 5,489, but the number of new hospitalizations in New York is falling.

Dallas County reported 106 new cases yesterday. Monday’s increase follows three days of fewer reported cases. The county reported its 19th death, a Garland man in his 50s with underlying medical conditions. The man was found dead in his home.

Tarrant County reported five new deaths bringing that county’s death toll to 18.

NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK EMPLOYEE TESTS COVID-POSITIVE

North Texas Food Bank officials confirmed today (Tuesday, April 7) that one of the food bank employees has tested positive for COVID-19. “This employee is a member of the transportation team at the food bank” at 3677 Mapleshade Lane in Plano and was “last onsite March 27 and has been self-quarantined since,” according to a press release from NTFB.

The statement noted that the employee “came into contact with a limited number of third parties, and the food bank is notifying them.”

Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of NTFB, said, “The health and safety of our employees and the community that we serve is our top priority. Our food bank team is a family. We are praying for this team member and wishing them a speedy recovery. They have been asked to self-quarantine per the recommendations from the CDC.

“We are fortunate to have processes in place to disinfect our spaces regularly, and thanks to this effort, we will not need to close down our warehouse,” Cunningham said.

The NTFB is following all provided CDC recommended guidelines and remains open and fully operational. They continue to meet the need for food assistance in the region.

The food bank follows all CDC guidelines and has shifted their distribution method to a drive-thru model to limit contact between staff and the public.

AVAILABLE HOSPITAL BEDS, VENTILATORS IN DALLAS

According to numbers reported Monday, April 6, to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s office, the city of Dallas has 5,353 hospital beds at 24 different hospitals, and 2,726 — slightly more than half — of those are currently occupied.

A press release from Johnson’s office, showing “aggregate totals for Monday,” noted that Dallas hospitals are required to report that information “pursuant to the city of Dallas emergency regulations … during the local state of disaster. The reporting requirements are meant to provide data to decision-makers and information to the public regarding the medical community’s capacity to handle an expected increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.”

Monday’s reports also showed 782 total ICU beds, with more than half of those — 482 — currently occupied. Less than half — 322 — of the 894 available ventilators are currently in use.

The press released said, “Please note that the numbers represent a point-in-time snapshot and fluctuate throughout the day. Hospitals also may be able to expand bed capacity if necessary.”

4TH FORT WORTH POLICE OFFICER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

A fourth Fort Worth Officer has tested positive for COVID-19, Fort Worth Police Deparment officials announced this week. They said the officer has been off work since March 20 and is recovering at home.

Officials said the department is “taking every precaution to stop the spread” of the virus. They have created a team to investigate and backtrack the movements and encounters of each infected officer and are notifying anyone who may be at risk. The vehicles and office spaces in which the infected officers worked are being thoroughly disinfected.

Offers to assist can be directed to the Fort Worth Police Officers’ Association.

NORTH TEXAS LGBT CHAMBER HOLDING VIRTUAL BREWING UP BUSINESS PLANO

North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce holds its next Virtual Brewing Up Business Plano Tuesday, April 7, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. “Brew your own coffee, make your own breakfast, or have Waffle O’licious delivered, if you want to stay in the routine.”

Participants will give their 30-second commercial/elevator speech and have a chance to discuss obstacles, ideas and self-care.

This program is free to chamber members and registered guests. Register here or email Lisa Howe at lisa.howe@lgbtchamber.com for information.