By WFAA Staff June 25,
2020 This story is available as part of a content partnership with
WFAA-TV. For more local news, visit WFAA.com.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott says the state is facing a
“massive outbreak” in the coronavirus pandemic. He says some new local
restrictions may be needed to protect hospital space for new patients.
In a series of
interviews Wednesday with television stations, Abbott said Texas would again
pass 5,000 new coronavirus cases and more than 4,000 hospital patients. Texas
passed both thresholds for the first time Tuesday.
Abbott
aggressively pushed to reopen the state in May. He acknowledges that state
officials are now closely watching hospital space. Abbott did not detail what
“localized” restrictions might be put in place.
Wednesday
afternoon, Dallas County reported an increase of 72 patients within the past 24
hours, bringing the total to 542 people hospitalized due to COVID-19.
Tarrant County
reported 460 new cases Wednesday, which set a record-high for daily cases.
There are also 321 countywide coronavirus-related hospitalizations, according
to data released by health officials.
Denton County
reported that 58 percent of its hospital beds are occupied, including 40 by
COVID-19 patients, and Collin County currently has 136 patients.
'I want to see
people wearing masks,' says Dallas mayor in response to COVID-19 cases spike
Dallas
Mayor Eric Johnson led his Wednesday afternoon
news conference with a simple statement: "Wear a mask."
"This is
the single most important thing that you can do to slow the spread of
COVID-19," Johnson said, seated at Dallas City Hall, wearing a mask.
Though there is
no blanket mask requirement, Dallas County does require businesses to make
customers and employees wear masks.
"I know we
all want to go back to normal and return to life as we knew it back in
February," the mayor said. "But COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in
Dallas County. The data is clear. Our numbers are headed in the wrong
direction."
The mayor will
meet with the DFW Hospital Council and other Dallas County officials today
about whether the county needs to prepare to use the Kay Bailey Hutchison
Convention Center for additional hospital space.
"It can't
continue to be politicized, this issue of wearing masks. Everywhere I go in
this city, I want to see people wearing masks. It's just that simple," the
mayor said.
Addison Kaboom
Town fireworks moved to 'secure, out-of-town location,' will be streamed online
only
For the first
time in the 30 years, the largest fireworks show in Texas will not open for
in-person viewing and will be streamed online due to the recent surge in
COVID-19 cases across North Texas.
The Addison
Kaboom Town fireworks show will be shared on Addison’s YouTube Channel on July
3 at 9:30 p.m. and will air on CW33 on July 4.
The fireworks
will be in a "secure, out-of-town location," officials said.
On June 10, the
town announced the cancellation of the park events but had the intention of
residents still being able to see the fireworks show citywide.
The Town says
it was difficult to secure public safety support for traffic control and event
security following the increase in demand for public safety resources as
COVID-19 cases across North Texas.
So, the
decision was made to move the event to an undisclosed location and only stream
it online.
“The health and
safety of our residents, businesses, and visitors will always be the Town’s top
priority and is a commitment on which Addison will not compromise,” a
spokesperson for Addison said in a statement.
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