Denton County Public Health reported Monday that there are now 15,402 active cases of COVID-19 in the county, the highest such number ever.
The previous peak was 15,387 on Jan. 29, according to DCPH data.
DCPH also reported Monday the deaths of six more county residents were a result of COVID-19, bringing the countywide death toll to 684. The deaths reported Monday include a Denton man in his 30s, a Little Elm man in his 40s, a Denton man in his 60s, a Corinth woman in her 70s, a Denton woman over 80 and a Pilot Point woman over 80.
“Today as we announce the deaths of six community members from COVID-19, we ask that you keep the family and friends of these individuals in your thoughts and prayers,” said Denton County Judge Andy Eads. “As we see high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations and intensive care utilization across our community, we strongly urge all community members to protect themselves against severe illness and death through COVID-19 vaccination.”
DCPH only rules a resident’s death as a COVID-19 death if it is determined that the person died as a direct result of COVID-19. Actual dates of death can be released several days to several months after the date of death, due to various reporting agencies and medical records review.
DCPH Director Dr. Matt Richardson said last week that local hospitals and ICUs are near capacity due to a large number of COVID-19 patients, but there are a few “silver linings” as health officials expect the current surge to plateau soon. About 87% of Denton County hospital beds are occupied, and all but one ICU bed is occupied.
People with compromised immune systems who already got two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines can now get a third shot to boost their protection from COVID-19. DCPH has revised the Vaccine Interest Portal to allow individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for a third dose to register for upcoming DCPH vaccination clinics.
To minimize spread of COVID-19, DCPH urges all unvaccinated community members to:
- Maintain at least six feet of physical distance in public settings and when around individuals outside of the household
- Wear masks or face coverings, which should cover both the nose and mouth, in public settings and when around individuals outside of the household
- Wash and/or sanitize hands frequently
- Stay home if you are symptomatic, have recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, or are awaiting COVID-19 test results
- If you are 12 years old or over, get your COVID-19 vaccine
If you are fully vaccinated, CDC recommends mask use in public indoor spaces.
If you are severely immunocompromised, consider an additional dose of mRNA vaccine after your initial two doses.
Click here for more information about COVID-19 vaccines in Denton County. For additional COVID-19 data including active case information by municipality, hospital capacity, and ventilator utilization, visit dentoncounty.gov/COVIDstats.
For information regarding DCPH’s upcoming testing centers, visit dentoncounty.gov/COVID19testing.
For additional COVID-19 health and safety recommendations, visit dentoncounty.gov/COVID19.
