DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - Dallas County has confirmed its 19th death from COVID-19. The county's health director says the patient was a Garland resident in their 50s. He says that person had an underlying health condition.
Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Phil Huang says an additional 106 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, with the total in the county now at 1,261.
He says the increase in cases shows the need to follow the CDC's guidance to cover your mouth and nose with a cloth if you plan to be in a place where crowds may gather, like a grocery store.
"People are transmitting the virus even before they show symptoms," Huang says. "The CDC has issued new recommendations, recommending people wear cloth-based coverings in public settings."
Huang says almost 75 percent of people who are hospitalized with the virus are over 60 years old or have chronic health conditions. He says 28 percent of those hospitalized have diabetes.
Steve Love, the president of the DFW Hospital Council, says some models are predicting a surge in cases. He says those models highlight the need to bring Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center online as a temporary hospital.
"Stay the course North Texas. Together we will #FlattenTheCurve. Please keep 6 foot distancing and limit all unnecessary trips this week and next week," said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
