Tracking the Numbers
Over the past week, Northeast Texas has seen rapid growth in the number of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, in the area, and as of press time Tuesday, one case had been officially confirmed in Hopkins County, according to emergency management.
Wednesday, March 18: Dallas County reported 15 cases of COVID-19, while Collin County reported six cases, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Fannin County had a suspected but not verified case, and Gregg and Bowie counties each had one case of COVID-19, the DHHS stated. Smith County had five cases as well, DHHS said.
Thursday, March 19: Dallas County’s case number jumped to 20, with one death, according to DHHS. Collin County’s case number rose to seven, while Fannin County confirmed their case. Van Zandt County added a case, while Bowie County’s caseload remained at one, and Smith County’s cases remained at five.
Friday, March 20: Dallas County’s cases more than tripled to 74 with still one death. All other counties remained the same, according to DHHS.
Saturday, March 21: Dallas County added almost 20 more new cases at 95 with still one death. Collin County’s cases rose to 13, and Cass, Upshur and Lamar counties added a case each.
Sunday, March 22: Collin County added its first death, and their total overall cases jumped to 31. All other counties remained the same, likely because the DHHS staff did not update totals on this day. Smith County’s total raised to eight cases.
Also on March 22, Dallas County did not update their totals but entered into a shelter-at-home declaration.
Monday, March 23: Dallas County entered the triple digits with 131 cases and saw its second death. With these totals, Dallas County emerged as the county with the most cases and deaths in the state. Morris County also confirmed a new case, and Smith County brought their totals up to 10 cases. Collin County’s cases grew to 38.
Mid-afternoon of March 23, Hunt County entered a shelter-at-home declaration. Hunt County had not experienced a confirmed case, according to press releases.
Tuesday, March 24: Dallas County’s cases grew to 169, and deaths grew to five. Collin County’s cases grew to 45.
Also on March 24 at 11 a.m., Hopkins County emergency management confirmed that the first case of the COVID-19 virus has been verified in Hopkins County.
Shortly after Hopkins County confirmed their first COVID-19 case, Hunt County confirmed their first case via county civil attorney Daniel Ray.