Denton County sees increase in number of COVID-19 cases, positivity rate
Denton County public health officials say COVID-19 infections in the county are heading in the wrong direction after jumping in more than 2,000 cases in two weeks.
DENTON, Texas – Denton County public health officials say COVID-19 infections in the county are heading in the wrong direction after jumping in more than 2,000 cases in two weeks.
Public health officials also say Denton County’s positive case rate has more than doubled in recent weeks.
County health officials say that in the past three weeks, the county’s positivity rate increased from about 11 percent to 23 percent of tests that tested positive, despite the county doing fewer tests last week.
Public health officials say the data is a growing concern with the Labor Day holiday and schools preparing to reopen in the fall.
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Denton County Director of Public Health Dr. Matt Richardson briefed county commissioners Tuesday morning on the current realities facing an increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
“More than 2000 cases in two weeks and 30 percent of our total confirmed cases occurred in a two-week period. That’s a huge leap, “said Dr. Richardson. “So for every 100 cases, almost one in four, about 23.5 percent, is positive. That is indicative of widespread disease transmission, and shows us that these cases are now exposing others in the worst case. So we are concerned that the case will generate more cases. “
County health officials say the new cases come from a variety of sources and indicate that people may not wear face masks or keep a safe distance from others as much as possible.
“Unfortunately, the screening results are across the board and many household contacts,” said Dr. Richardson. “That continues to be one of our largest point sources of transmission. Some occupational contacts and some contacts that are just local broadcasts that we cannot determine where someone was exposed. “
After consulting with the attorney general’s office, Denton County determined that local public health officials did not have the authority to order school sites to remain closed.
Instead, county health officials only recommended that school districts delay classes in person until Sept. 8 according to the new data.
Some districts, such as Lewisville ISD, have already announced that they will begin virtually in August and won’t open for in-person learning until September.
Public health officials say they hope the delay will provide more time for schools to establish safety protocols.
“From teacher to teacher. Student to teacher. Teacher to student. All of that is still a possibility, ”said Dr. Richardson. “And with these additional cases and additional positivity, we are all the rage in such a way that we see a lot of risk.”
Denton County public health officials also say that COVID-19 cases in the 0-19 age group jumped from 14-165 since Memorial Day week. Part of the concern is that although children do not appear to be so severely affected by the virus, they may pass it on to others in the home or community.
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