Since the beginning of the pandemic, Plano and neighboring communities have largely escaped the higher case numbers that have flared up in Dallas County and other parts of the state.
But in the last two weeks, the number of Plano residents with confirmed, active cases of COVID-19 has risen by 40%.
As of a June 28 report released by the city, 147 residents of the Collin County portion of Plano were known to have an active case of the disease caused by the new coronavirus. On June 13, that number was 105.
The numbers represent a spike in new cases that has outpaced recoveries in that time. No one in Plano is known to have died from COVID-19 since the city's 10th death was reported May 30.
The city of more than 280,000 has yet to see levels of spread like those that prompted Gov. Greg Abbott to once again on June 25 suspend elective surgeries in Dallas, Harris, Travis and Bexar counties.
Still, the number of new cases has been a key indicator for state and local public health officials in their efforts to control the spread of the highly infectious virus, which has the potential for exponential growth.
The number of tests administered to Plano residents in the past two weeks was not immediately available, making it unclear how many of the newly discovered cases may have been the result of increased testing versus higher prevalence in the community.
In nearby Dallas County, a rise in the number of newly confirmed cases has coincided with an increase in the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said June 25 this could be evidence that the virus was extending its reach in the more heavily affected communities to the south of Plano.
Dallas County last week made wearing face coverings mandatory at businesses, prompted by their ongoing surge in cases and hospitalizations.
Across the state, more than 10% of tests conducted for COVID-19 in the past week came back positive. Abbott said previously this would be a “warning flag.”
Collin County topped more than 550 active confirmed cases June 28.
