COVID-19 Officially Rises Across Dallas Thanks To Omicron Variant

With COVID-19 now on the rise, Dallas County has reduced the threat level to red, the highest risk level on the county’s COVID-19 scale. It had been set to Orange, for Extra Caution, since October.

December 28 saw a significant spike in Dallas County cases, one that mirrors a spike across the United States

The number of positive COVID-19 cases reported daily in Dallas County has been around 300 cases or less per day, but Tuesday’s tally rose to 1,619, forcing the county’s public health committee to take action. measures.

“Our review showed a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and hospital counts in Dallas over the past week,” the committee said in a statement. Release. “We also know that we have clusters of COVID-19 associated with social events, increased outbreaks in gathering places and Dallas County is seeing significant impact on healthcare staff and with pressure on services. emergency. “

In the same statement, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins noted a dramatic increase.

“Today’s numbers double the numbers from our last reported day before Christmas of 874 cases on Dec. 23, which is an 82% increase from the day before,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins recommended getting a booster, wearing a surgical mask, and avoiding crowds.

United States together a new record this week for the number of new COVID-19 infections, with half a million cases reported on December 27, breaking the previous record of 300,000 in one day.

The surge is due to the omicron variant, which is now the dominant variant at Dallas-Fort Worth, replacing the delta variant.

According to projections by UTSW, cases are expected to continue increasing to reach 800 cases per day in Dallas County and more than 500 infections daily in Tarrant County.