DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - The president of the DFW Hospital Council says Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center may not be necessary as a temporary hospital for recovering COVID-19 patients after all.
DFW Hospital Council President Stephen Love sent a letter to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins Tuesday.
"Dallas County residents have done a great job of following the public officials’ orders regarding good health habits, social distancing and staying at home," he writes. "Subsequent models reflect a flattening of the curve related to infections and hospitalizations providing evidence these initiatives are having a positive impact in flattening the curve."
Tuesday, Dallas County reported an additional 89 cases of COVID-19. Ten people died, the most in a single day, but the number of new cases has been between 63 and 108 each day for the past week.
Hospitals in the City of Dallas are required to report their capacity and occupancy numbers to the mayor's office daily. Tuesday's report said 50 percent of beds were occupied, 57 percent of ICU beds were being used and 31 percent of ventilators were in use.
Dallas County Health Director Phil Huang has said the peak is expected late this month or in early May.
"There's really good news from the standpoint, definitely all of the orders to stay home, stay home, are making an impact. That is slowing the infection," he says.
Monday, Dallas County commissioners delayed a vote on a $2 million contract for a company to set up the hospital at the convention center.
Also on Monday, Parkland Hospital said members of the military had arrived to work with their staff to work in a support role at the temporary hospital.
"They are here to support our community in the event of a significant patient care surge, and we are grateful for their expertise," Parkland wrote in a statement.