Data: Hospitalizations up 40% in Dallas County as number of new confirmed coronavirus cases hits highest mark yet

The number of people receiving care for COVID-19 in Dallas County hospitals is up roughly 40% in the past two weeks as the area sees a steady increase of confirmed cases.

There are currently 423 coronavirus patients hospitalized in Dallas County, which is up from 373 last week and roughly 300 two weeks ago, according to the office of County Judge Clay Jenkins.

Hospitalizations reflect the number of people requiring immediate care for the disease and are not as affected by changes in testing capacity as some other statistics, such as confirmed case totals, Jenkins said in a June 18 news release.

“This number is the one to watch most closely as this represents the tip of the iceberg that you can see and gives an indication to the amount of COVID-19 cases spreading in the community that you are yet to see,” Jenkins said in the statement.

The number of new, confirmed cases in Dallas County has continued its steady rise since late May. In the past week, the county has learned of 2,391 more cases, which is up 19% from the number of cases confirmed in the previous seven-day period.

More than 300 people are known to have died from COVID-19 in Dallas County since the beginning of the pandemic.

Jenkins said he plans to ask Dallas County commissioners to require residents to wear face masks at businesses in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

“You don’t need to wait on the government to wear a mask when on public transportation or at businesses,” Jenkins said in the statement. “Maintain six foot distancing at all times, use good hand hygiene and avoid unnecessary crowds.”