A statewide survey, conducted by United Ways of Texas in cooperation with United Way of Tarrant County, found that Texans are facing many challenges due to the pandemic, including meeting basic needs. The survey also found some Texas communities and populations are being hit disproportionately hard, and a majority of Texans are very worried about the health and economic well-being of their communities.
In the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, key findings include:
The top concern among individuals is contracting COVID-19 (67%), followed by the economic health of the community (59%), mental health issues (40%), remote learning during the upcoming school year (38%) and attending church or other social gatherings (37%).
When asked about resources needed for their households, the most common answer was “help with bills” (22%) followed by new job opportunities (20%), assistance with paying rent/mortgage (18%), technology to assist with remote working and learning (15%), and health insurance coverage (13%).
To make ends meet during the pandemic, 22% said they increased the balance on credit cards, 21% said they applied for unemployment, 17% used a food pantry or food bank, 15% borrowed from family or friends and 12% applied for food stamps or the SNAP program.
Seventy-five percent of Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex households received a stimulus check. Among those, 34% said the check would cover family/household expenses for two weeks or less and the majority used the checks for rent or mortgage (37%), utilities (35%) and food (32%).
Among seniors, the top concern was contracting COVID-19 (74%), the economic health of the community (71%), attending church or other social gatherings (44%), mental health issues (34%) and medical issues other than COVID-19 (26%).
“The survey reinforces what we have seen first-hand in Tarrant County,” said Leah King, president and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. “COVID-19 has greatly affected our community with many families struggling to make ends meet. And it has been even harder for vulnerable populations, including low-income families, senior citizens and children. Basic needs such as food, mortgage and rent, utilities, and medications continue to be the most needed.”
Since mid-March, the United Way of Tarrant County has invested $1.4 million from the Emergency Relief Fund, assisting more than 550,000 people impacted by COVID-19. In addition, through federal and state grants administered by the Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County, more than 203,268 meals have been delivered to 2,480 senior citizens. Total for this effort is $1,113,636. United Way also established the Rebuild Tarrant County Fund to provide long-term assistance to the community as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Thursday, August 27, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Originally published in the July/August issue of the Tarrant County Physician.
by Kenton K. Murthy, DO, MS, MPH Deputy Local Health Authority & Assistant Medical Director, Tarrant County Public Health
It has been three months since Texas had its first reported COVID-19 case, and since then, the number of cases has risen dramatically. As of June 25, there are more than 125,000 cases and 2,249 deaths in Texas.1 In Tarrant County, the total number of cases to date is 10,363 with 218 confirmed deaths.2
Shortly after reopening, there were signs that COVID-19 had plateaued and perhaps decreased, but our latest numbers seem to unfortunately indicate the opposite.2
Texas, overall, has seen hospitalizations increase dramatically.3 While Tarrant County hospitalization rates are also increasing, we have not seen our hospitals become overwhelmed as other counties are experiencing.3 However, we are not that far off.
Currently, almost 70 percent of our hospital beds in Tarrant County are occupied, of which eight percent are occupied from confirmed COVID-19 patients.2 However, given the increase in the total number of new cases (especially those in the younger population), and increasing cases in long-term care facilities, it may be just a matter of time before we start seeing a surge of hospitalizations as seen in Dallas, Travis, Harris, and Bexar counties.3
Long-term care centers, and correctional facilities continue to be hot spots, while child care facilities are now starting to have outbreaks as well.4,5 Long-term care centers and correctional facilities are our most vulnerable groups and may see the highest mortality rates, so it is vital that we continue to test, track, and isolate these individuals. The continued use of PPE in caring for patients in these settings is also important.
While we are currently in Phase 3 of Texas Reopening, with amusement parks, media events and fine arts permitted to open and operate up to 50 percent capacity, and restaurants allowed to operate up to 75 percent capacity, the governor has since paused reopening of Texas due to the sudden surge of new cases.6,7
Locally, starting June 26th, Tarrant County will require face masks at all businesses and all outdoor gatherings larger than 100 people. The order does not include churches, although it is strongly encouraged that church goers and other members of the public wear a mask when inside or when social distancing is not possible.8
In addition to face coverings and masks, businesses must also continue to encourage their employees to hand wash frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethyl or grain alcohol (ethanol) or 70 percent isopropyl or rubbing alcohol, maintain social distancing, and regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched areas. Businesses should also screen employees for increased temperatures and COVID-19 symptoms before they start work and immediately send staff and employees with symptoms home to self-isolate.9
“We must remain vigilant during this pandemic and not let our guard down.“
As our physician colleagues reopen their practices, they must also continue to keep patients and staff safe. With that in mind, the Texas Medical Association has posted a step-by-step guide called Road to Practice Recovery: A Guide for Reopening Your Practice Post-COVID-19. This guide covers everything from financial operations to clinical operations.10 Some of the same practices that other businesses employ should also be used for physicians’ offices.
Upon any examination or procedure with a patient, it’s especially important for clinical staff to use full PPE, including N95 masks, goggles or face shield, gloves, and a gown.10 While currently Tarrant County does not have a ban on elective surgeries, doctors, nonetheless, should prioritize procedures and hold off non-urgent surgeries or other medical intervention to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission as well as to preserve bed space for coronavirus patients. Telemedicine and telehealth practices should be used as much as possible to continue to serve patients without putting themselves or ourselves at risk.10
At Tarrant County Public Health, our HIV clinic has changed almost entirely to a telehealth model with a few exceptions. We’re also now screening everyone entering our building for COVID-19 symptoms and doing touchless thermometer temperature checks. We’ve installed plastic and Plexiglass barriers in our waiting rooms and have patients wait in their cars rather than in small waiting rooms prior to their appointments.
While it is vital we reopen our Texas economy, it is just as important to do this as safely as possible. We must remain vigilant during this pandemic and not let our guard down. Physicians have a strong voice in our community, so let’s reemphasize to our patients that they must continue to socially distance whenever possible, practice good hand hygiene, and wear an appropriately protective facemask.
We’re all in this together, so let’s continue to keep each other safe.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Wednesday, August 19, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Monday, August 17, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Friday, August 14, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
With the return of August heat and daily temperatures now approaching 100 degrees, Tarrant County Public Health reminds residents to avoid heat-related illness.
“The risk of heat injury or death is at its worst when high temperatures continue over multiple days,” said Public Health Director Vinny Taneja. “People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies can’t compensate and properly cool themselves. Natural cooling occurs when people sweat, but under some conditions, sweating is not enough, and a person’s body temperature rises rapidly.
“While the elderly, young children and people dealing with chronic ailments are usually the first to suffer from the heat, I urge everyone to take precautions,” Taneja said.
Among those precautions:
Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles. When outdoor temperatures are high, children and animals left inside parked cars can be overcome by heat within minutes.
Minimize exposure. Being outside in high temperatures for prolonged periods puts anyone at risk of heat injury, especially if active in outdoor athletic programs, youth organizations or schools.
Avoid dehydration. Water is the most critical beverage a person can drink to prevent heat injury. Develop the habit of drinking water every hour when it’s hot outside — even if you are not thirsty. Avoid drinking alcohol on hot days.
Maintain adequate ventilation/air conditioning. Some people turn off their air conditioning, do not run it long enough or may not have access to fans or other devices that circulate cool air. Unless people have a high tolerance for heat, this practice puts them at risk for heat injury.
The elderly are most at risk. Neighbors, friends and family should regularly check on the elderly when temperatures are high for multiple days.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Wednesday, August 12, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Tuesday, August 11, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
The City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County are expanding COVID-19 testing for residents throughout the city.
Tests will be available at these locations:
Tuesday, Aug. 11, FWISD Scarborough-Handley Field parking lot 6201 Craig St.
Wednesday, Aug.12, Tarrant County College-Northwest Campus, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway.
Thursday, Aug. 13, Beth Eden Missionary Baptist Church, 3208 Wilbarger St.
Friday, Aug. 14, Christ Church Fort Worth Assembly of God, 5301 Altamesa Blvd.
Tests will be available at these locations for one day only before the test site moves to a new location.
Tests will be available from 8-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. daily. Tests at all sites are available by online appointment. Residents who do not have access to a computer may call 817-248-6299 to schedule an appointment.
“Fort Worth will continue to collaborate with partners to ensure COVID-19 testing is readily available and accessible to all residents throughout all of Fort Worth,” said Mayor Betsy Price. “Testing plays a critical role in our continued efforts to prioritize public health, keep Fort Worth’s economy open and get our children back in school.”
In coming weeks, additional sites will be added as suitable locations are identified.
“It is vitally important that we bring more testing to Tarrant County,” said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. “We’re excited to expand our partnership with the City of Fort Worth to add more testing across the county, making it easier for residents to get tested.”
The city’s emergency response volunteers will continue to staff two COVID-19 testing sites, which are currently open:
J.P. Elder Middle School, 709 N.W. 21st St. 8 a.m.-noon.
Dickies Arena’s Chevrolet Parking Garage, 3464 Trail Drive. 2-6:30 p.m.
City staff from Police, Fire and Code Compliance departments, along with certified city volunteers for emergency response, are staffing the sites and guiding patients through the self-administered saliva sample collection process. Tests are offered at no cost to the public; however, insurance information is collected, where possible.
Tarrant County Physician Online 