Governor Abbott asked Texans to wear masks, but stopped short of a statewide order requiring all residents to wear them. While 60 percent of the state’s population is required to wear a mask because of local orders in the major urban areas, in North Texas there is no mask mandate in Collin or Denton counties. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins has encouraged surrounding counties to enact a mask order. The Dallas Morning News has more.
Dallas County reported 403 new cases on Thursday, with increased spread at childcare facilities. Tarrant County reported 517 new cases, its highest total to date. Learn more from KERA.
Dallas hospitals said they still have the capacity to handle more COVID-19 cases, and the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center will not be used as a hospital, Mayor Eric Johnson said via Twitter. The hospital has never been activated after case levels never reached predicted heights, DMN reports.
The state of Texas set another record with 6,000 cases on Thursday, bringing the total statewide to more than 130,000. The Texas Tribune has more totals and analysis.
