Dallas reports 2,842 cases of covid-19, a new record for infections during the pandemic

Dallas County reported 2,842 on Saturday, a record number of new COVID-19 infections, just as health authorities project a larger increase as a result of activity during the year-end festivities.

It also reported 23 new deaths from the coronavirus.

The county accumulates 174,477 infections and 1,651 deaths.

Tarrant County reported 3,361 cases Saturday.

In a statement, County Judge Clay Jenkins said January and February are likely to be the months with the highest levels of infections and hospitalizations.

The figures reported on Saturday are the result of an increase in positive tests for SARS-CoV-2; On average 26.5 of symptomatic patients who go to hospital have the virus.

Although the level of hospitalizations dropped slightly on Saturday, it remains very high, with Texas health officials saying there were about 600 beds left in intensive care units statewide for nearly 29 million people.

Statewide, as of Saturday there were 12,319 patients with covid-19 in hospitals.

“Today we registered 2,842 new covid cases, more than 300 cases above the previous record,” said County Judge Clay Jenkins. “Additionally we reported 23 deaths, 11 of which are people who were found in their home and one of which was a person found in a park.”

Jenkins explained that the high number of infections was projected by a model that UT Southwestern developed during the year-end festivities and that it anticipated a higher number of cases and hospitalizations in early January.

“Our actions today will determine where the numbers will be in two weeks, so it is imperative that at this time of unprecedented high spread, we continue to wear our mask and make the smart decision to follow the advice of doctors,” he added.