Editor's note: A new blog has been created for the week of March 30. Read those updates here.

Updated at 6:25 p.m. March 28

Collin County health officials reported 11 new cases of the novel coronavirus.

The 11 new cases bring Collin County's total to 129 total reported cases. Among the new cases were four Plano residents, three residents in Dallas, two in McKinney and one each in Frisco and Lucas.

Meanwhile, McKinney Mayor George Fuller said he and Collin County Judge Chris Hill are still working to resolve perceived inconsistencies in their orders to combat the new coronavirus. The talks began after a lawsuit was filed seeking a temporary restraining order against McKinney's shelter-in-place policy. Richardson, which is in both Collin and Dallas counties, has a shelter-in-place policy that is aligned with Dallas County. See the McKinney story here.


Updated 3 p.m. March 28

Dallas County is reporting 72 new positive cases of coronavirus, bringing the countywide total to 439. There have also been two more deaths, the county reports.

The first death was a man in his 50s, and the second was a man in his 70s. Both were critically ill in the hospital at the time of their deaths, the county reports. This brings the countywide death count to nine.

“This serves as a sober reminder that COVID-19 is a dangerous disease for everyone and is why it’s so important that we all need to stay home to stay safe,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in response to the death of the man in his 50s, who Jenkins reports had no underlying health conditions.


Of cases requiring hospitalization to date, about two-thirds have been either over 60 years old or have had at least one known high-risk chronic health condition, a county press release stated.

Dallas County's daily case count reports can be found at this link.

Updated at 2:50 p.m. March 28

Collin County health officials have updated the March 27 tally to reflect 31 new cases with 11 of those being Plano residents. The county's total stands at 118 cases.


Updated 9:07 p.m. March 27

Collin County saw a nearly 37% rise Friday in the number of reported COVID-19 cases.

The county reported 32 new cases, bringing the county's total to 119 positive tests.

Plano had the largest share of the new cases. Twelve more of the city's residents were confirmed positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the city's total to 41.


McKinney and Frisco each had five new cases reported in Collin County. One was from Richardson.

One Collin County case counted earlier this week was found to be a Dallas County resident, which dropped Collin County's earlier total by one, health officials reported.

Updated at 2:32 p.m. March 27

Dallas County officials said they are anticipating a steep increase in coronavirus cases. As such, they are tapping the National Guard for medical and logistical support and expanding their bed capacity through a 250-bed mobile hospital.


The National Guard will not be operating in a law-enforcement capacity, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said at a March 26 news conference, but they will be wearing their military briefs.

Dr. Philip Huang, the county's health chief, also gave an update on coronavirus cases being reported at the county jail. Seven people have tested positive, and one test is pending for the virus outbreak at the jail, while three others are displaying symptoms.

Additionally, four other people that shared the same pod are in quarantine, as are two officers, Huang said.

Jenkins said he is working with surrounding counties to streamline their various shelter-in-place orders. Collin County is one of the only nearby counties not limiting business operations during the shelter-in-place order, he said.

"They don't have to cooperate, but yes, we need them to act," Jenkins said. "I hate what's happening to our business community through this, ... but we have got to listen to the science on this."

Updated at 12:30 p.m. March 27

The number of Dallas County patients who require hospitalization due to coronavirus complications is increasing, according to a press release.

Of all hospitalized patients countywide, 36% have reqwuired admission to intensive care units, the release stated. About 21% of patients have needed mechanical ventilation. In cases requiring hospitalization, about two-thirds of patients are either over age 60 or have at least one known high-risk health condition, according to the release.

As of 10 a.m., 64 additional positive cases have been reported, bringing the county total to 367. Eight of those patients are from Richardson, a county report shows. So far, seven patients have died.

Dallas County's daily case count reports can be found at this link.
Updated at 12:30 p.m. March 26

Dallas County officials have confirmed 56 additional coronavirus cases, for a total tally of 303. It is also reporting its seventh death, a 90-year-old woman from Dallas.

The county continues to report that about two-thirds of its patients are individuals over 60 years old or who have had other chronic health conditions.

“One third of those requiring hospitalization are under age 60 with no underlying conditions. COVID-19 is a danger to anyone, not just high-risk groups," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a news release. "Know that my prayers, and the prayers of our team, are with all those families with loved ones affected and with all of you. Stay safe. Stay home. And when you exercise, maintain 6 feet of social distancing at all times."

Dallas County's daily case count reports can be found at this link.

Updated 10:21 a.m. March 26

Collin County health officials reported 13 new cases of coronavirus late on March 25, including three additional cases in McKinney.

The three new cases in McKinney—a 40-year-old man, a 65-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman—bring the county’s total confirmed cases to 66.

Of Collin County's new cases, two people are hospitalized; four have underlying health conditions; and seven have recently traveled, including one internationally.

Of the 66 cases, 15 people have successfully recovered; six are hospitalized; 44 are in home isolation; and one has died.

Here is the breakdown of the rest of those new cases, according to county health officials:
  • a 40-year-old Frisco man;
  • a 72-year-old Frisco man;
  • a 40-year-old Plano woman;
  • a 69-year-old Plano woman;
  • a 41-year-old Wylie man;
  • a 49-year-old Wylie man;
  • an 18-year-old Richardson woman;
  • a 69-year-old Dallas man;
  • a 65-year-old Anna woman; and
  • a 42-year-old Celina man.
Updated at 6:25 p.m. March 25

Dallas County reported the greatest number of new confirmed coronavirus cases in one day, according to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. Earlier this morning, the county reported 78 new cases, bringing the countywide total to 247, Jenkins said.

“We saw a big rise in the number of positive tests today, and since that time we’ve had a lot of other people test positive," he said.

This is not only because the virus is spreading but also because the turnover of testing has increased, explained Dr. Philip Huang, Dallas County health and human services director. The case count is expected to grow as results from the county's two drive-thru testing facilities become available, Jenkins said.

The county will announce its seventh coronavirus death as part of numbers being released March 26, Huang said.

"It’s a reminder of how important it is for everyone to adhere to the judge's order on social distancing," Huang said.

Jenkins also updated the public on the spread of the virus in the Dallas County jail. Four more inmates who had been housed in the same pod as the first confirmed patient have tested positive, he said. Parkland has set up a medical pod within the jail to care for the patients, he said.

“Those who are sick are receiving excellent care, and those who are not sick are receiving good separation.”

If the virus continues to spread, the county may move some inmates into an 114-bed temporary holding unit in the George Allen Courthouse, Jenkins said.

The county is also making virtual visitation free for all inmates, since in-person visitation has been suspended.

Dallas County's daily case count reports can be found at this link.

Updated at 12:18 p.m. March 25

There were 247 coronavirus cases in Dallas County as of 10 a.m. March 25. This is an increase of 78 new cases since yesterday, according to the county. Another patient has also died from the virus, bringing the countywide death tally to six.

The patient was a Garland woman in her 80s, according to the county. About two-thirds of all coronavirus patients that have been admitted to Dallas County hospitals are over the age of 60, a press release stated.

“Today’s steep increase in cases is an urgent reminder that Gov. Abbott should heed the pleas of doctors, nurses and hospitals," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in the release. "We can’t wait any longer. I once again ask all North Texas counties to immediately move to the Dallas “Stay Home Stay Safe” model as some did yesterday.”

Dallas County is currently under a stay-at-home order until April 3. But Judge Clay Jenkins said at a March 23 news conference that the medical community is telling him it could be months before conditions improve.

Updated at 10:16 a.m. March 25

At the county level, Collin County health officials reported eight new cases of the coronavirus March 24, including a 27-year-old McKinney man who had close contact with another confirmed case.

The new Collin County cases bring its total to 53 confirmed cases. Here is the breakdown of the rest of those new cases, according to county health officials:
  • a 54-year-old man from Allen;
  • a 63-year-old woman from Allen who had close contact with another confirmed case;
  • a 61-year-old Allen woman who had close contact with another person with coronavirus;
  • a 77-year-old Richardson woman with recent international travel;
  • a 42-year-old Melissa man with underlying health conditions and recent domestic travel;
  • a 35-year-old Melissa woman who recently went on domestic travel; and
  • a 41-year-old Frisco man who has underlying health conditions and is self-isolating in his home.
Updated at 2:05 p.m. March 24

Collin County issued a stay-at-home order March 24 that takes effect immediately in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The order will be in place for the next seven days, at which time an extension will be considered, according to Collin County Judge Chris Hill, who announced the details at a news conference at the county courthouse in McKinney.

The order states that all people are ordered to stay home, except for travel related to essential activities.

All businesses, jobs and workers are essential to the financial health and well-being of the local economy, according to Hill. Therefore, he said, they are essential to the financial health and well-being of Collin County residents.

Read the full story here.

Updated at 11:52 a.m. March 24

Dallas County has updated its official COVID-19 case tally to 169 as of 11:15 a.m. March 24. The countywide total includes five deaths.

This represents an increase of 14 new cases and one new death since March 23. The fifth death was a Dallas woman in her 70s.

Dallas County is currently under a stay-at-home order through April 3; however, Judge Clay Jenkins said at a March 23 news conference that the medical community says it could be months before conditions improve.

Updated at 3:30 p.m. March 23

A day after Dallas County announced a stay-at-home order, Collin County officials are looking to implement their own version, according to McKinney Mayor George Fuller.

Fuller said McKinney, along with all other Collin County cities, will be announcing some form of a ‘shelter in place’ requirement Tuesday. The specifics of the order have not been released at this time.

A press conference with details about the order will be held at 10 a.m. March 24 at the Collin County Courthouse, County Judge Chris Hill said during a March 23 commissioners court meeting. At the same meeting, Collin County commissioners voted in favor of continuing a declaration of local disaster for public health emergency.

On March 22, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued an order that calls for all residents there to shelter in place beginning at 11:59 p.m. March 23 through April 3 to slow the spread of the virus.

Read more here.

Updated at 3 p.m. March 23

Dallas County is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at two locations.

The two stations will be located at American Airlines Center at 2500, Victory Plaza, Dallas, and at Ellis David Field House, 9191 S. Polk St., Dallas.

Those interested in being tested must be exhibiting the following symptoms: shortness of breath, a cough and a fever of 99.6 degrees or higher, according to a March 23 tweet from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. Updated at 12:32 March 23

Dallas County officials have confirmed 24 additional cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total count to 155.

The county also said in a March 23 news release that a third and fourth patient have died from COVID-19. The two men were Dallas residents in their 60s.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the two Dallas County residents who lost their lives to COVID-19 since yesterday’s posting," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in the news release. "The “Stay Home Stay Safe” order will save lives, but it takes all of us. We are working to answer the many questions from business[es] we have received this morning and will get you answers as soon as possible. Most of your questions can be found by carefully reading the order, and I encourage people to do that before they contact us."

The daily case count reports can be found at this link.

Details about Jenkins' shelter-in-place order can be found at this link.

Updated at 7 p.m. March 22

Dallas County residents are ordered to shelter in their place of residence from 11:59 p.m. March 23 through April 3 in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"This order is our best chance to flatten the curve here in Dallas County and save as many lives as possible," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said during a news conference March 22. "I know there will be economic hardship and business closures with this order, and it makes me sick that we are at this point."

Flattening the curve refers to minimizing the infection rate of the virus through similar shelter-in-place orders to avoid the inundation of hospitals, Jenkins said.

The order generally bars all public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside of one's residence. Exceptions include essential business operations and government work. The order also stresses people to continue to maintain a minimum 6-foot distance from others.

Coronavirus updates from before March 22 can be found at this link.