With schools starting, many are concerned about the children. In the state, 6% of the completed case investigations on infections are of those 19 years-old or younger, and 9 children have died. In the country, less than 70 children have died from COVID-19 infection.
The state positivity rate is now at 24%. This is the highest it has ever been. This has been increasing since June 20, 2020. The CDC wants this to be below 10%. However, the state number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infection peaked on July 22, 2020. We recall that the reason for community mitigation in the first place was to prevent the overrunning of hospital resources. Clearly, this is not happening.
In the state, 23% of the hospital beds are available. One month ago, 19% of the hospital beds were available. In the state, 1229 ICU beds are available. One month ago, 940 ICU beds were available. In the state, 7055 ventilators are available. One month ago, 5127 ventilators were available. So, even with our highest positivity rate, the utilization of hospital resources have been decreasing significantly. This is very good.
In our area of north central Texas, 19% of the hospital beds are available. One month ago, 15% of the hospital beds were available. In this region, 339 ICU beds are available. One month ago, 259 ICU beds were available. In this region, 1975 ventilators are available, compared to one month ago when 1138 ventilators were available. In this region, 1229 COVID-19 patients are in the hospital, compared to one month ago when 1872 were in the hospital. Again, great news.
Testing has escalated dramatically since April 2020. Since April 2020, ten times as many tests have been done across the state and in Dallas County, and nine times as many tests have been done in Collin County.
According to antigen and antibody testing, 7-15% of those tested have demonstrated a history of novel coronavirus infection.
Now for some of our regularly reported numbers:
Cumulative Cases
TX 501,000 Dallas Cty 55,000 Collin Cty 8300
Recoveries
TX 358,000 Dallas Cty 43,000 Collin Cty 5200
Current Active Cases
TX 134,000 Dallas Cty 11,200 Collin Cty 2401
Cumulative Fatalities
TX 8710 Dallas County 752 Collin County 84
Peak Date of Daily New Cases
TX 07-15-20 Dallas Cty 07-26-2020 Collin Cty 08-05-2020
Peak Date of Daily Fatalities
TX 07-14-2020 Dallas Cty 05-14-2020 Collin Cty 07-27-2020
Clearly, we must continue our mitigation efforts to prevent the spread. Wash your hands many times daily, wear a mask when social distancing of six feet is difficult over time, stay home if you are sick, self-quarantine when recommended by the CDC, and DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE. We have got to end this.
May we rely on our sources for strength; facts, logic, and faith.
(state numbers are from the Texas Department of State Health Services, and national numbers are from the CDC)
