KRLD 1080

Rockwall Officer Dies As A Result Of COVID-19

ROCKWALL(1080 KRLD)- A School Resource Officer at Rockwall High School has died from COVID-19.Officer Tracy Gaines died Monday morning from complications with the virus while at a local hospital. He had been admitted July 11th and had undergone several treatments to fight the effects of the coronavirus.Gaines had been an officer with the Rockwall Police Department since September 2005 before recently transitioning to the high school. His extensive career also included a School Resource Officer for Williams Middle School, a Field Training Officer in the Patrol Division, and 20 years of serving in the Air Force prior to joining the police department.Donations to help his wife and two sons during this time can be made at www.atodallas.org.

August 03, 2020

Coronavirus Test Site Moves From Irving To Eastfield College In Mesquite

One of Dallas County's key Coronavirus test sites has been moved over the weekend, and is now serving parts of the county east of Dallas.This site spent about a month at the University of Dallas in Irving. But over the weekend, they packed up and moved everything to Mesquite where they are now set up in white tents in Parking Lot 8 at Eastfield College. The tests are free but there are some requirements starting with you have to be a Dallas County resident and you have to prove it.Once that's established, there are several categories of people who can get a test, be 65 or older, for example.Or maybe you have chronic health issues like diabetes, heart problems or asthma. And, if you're feeling the Coronavirus symptoms, come and get tested.And even if you aren't, you can be tested if you've been in a group setting in the past 15 days.And certain occupations are welcome; health care workers, first responders, grocery and other essential retail workers and DART drivers.The hours run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

August 03, 2020

University of Texas Prohibiting Students From Having Parties, On Or Off Campus

The University of Texas is prohibiting students from having parties this fall, on or off campus, in an effort to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.Vice-President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly said in an email to students on Friday to follow the the guidance from Austin Public Health to remain sheltered in place and wear a mask when outside the home but parties are forbidden.In the email she says "while the orders and guidlines continue to evolve, parties (whether on or off campus) put people's health and safety at risk and raise anxiety levels."It's not clear how UT would enforce the no-party rule.The Dean of Students Office says private off-campus organizations such as fraternities and sororities are not under the purview of the university but would still be subject to the no-party rule.

August 03, 2020

Lower Numbers Of New Coronavirus Cases Reported Across DFW

Dallas County health officials reported 518 new positive coronavirus cases yesterday and 7 additional deaths.The viticms ranged in age from the 30's to the 70's.Officials say 51,108 total cases have been reported since the beginning fo the pandemic, and there has been a total of 688 confirmed deaths.Over 2,050 children under 18 years of age have been diagnosed with confirmed COVID-19 since July 1st, according to a release from Dallas County Health. NEW: Dallas County Reports 518 Additional Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases and 7 Deaths pic.twitter.com/4mTEJiE35v— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) August 2, 2020 Tarrant County reported 183 new cases on Sunday.3 new cases were reported in Collin County and 44 new cases in Denton County.Denton County health leaders warn the numbers could be low as the state continues to update it's database.

August 03, 2020

More Than 250 Test Positive for COVID-19 Amid Outbreak at Summer Camp

A summer camp in Georgia is the latest location to have an outbreak of coronavirus. More than 250 campers and staffers at the sleepaway camp have tested positive for COVID-19, according to CNN. The camp appears in a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but is unnamed and only referred to as “Camp A.” The CDC worked with the Georgia Department of Public Health after a teenage counselor began feeling ill and was sent home. The following day, it was confirmed that the counselor had tested positive. More Than 250 People At A Georgia Summer Camp Caught COVID-19 https://t.co/SC70p7Asaf— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) July 31, 2020The camp, which consisted of more than 600 campers and more than 120 staff members, began sending everyone home. Prior to the counselor getting a positive diagnosis, the camp had been open for five days for orientation with staff and two days with campers. Of the 597 camp attendees from Georgia, 344 were tested. Within weeks, 260 had received a positive diagnosis. Officials warn that the actual number could be higher since not all campers and staff were tested. While no deaths have been reported, the most common symptoms were fever, headache and dry throat. In addition, 36 of the infected reported no symptoms at all. The study found that a higher percentage of the youngest children tested positive, with 51% of kids aged 6 -10 years contracting the novel virus, versus 44% of children between 11 -17, and 33% of those 18-21 years old. "This investigation adds to the body of evidence demonstrating that children of all ages are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and, contrary to early reports, might play an important role in transmission," the study said, reported BuzzFeed. The study also pointed out that the camp followed most of the CDC’s recommendations such as “rigorous cleaning and sanitizing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing strategies.” However, the camp only required staff to wear cloth face coverings and not the campers, and also didn’t open windows and doors to further ventilate indoor settings. LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM AppFollow RADIO.COMFacebook | Twitter | Instagram

August 01, 2020

Lower Number Of Coronavirus Cases Reported Across North Texas

After weeks of reporting more than one thousand new coronavirus cases daily, there's now a downward trend in Dallas County.Dallas County confirmed 537 new positive coronavirus cases yesterday and 6 deaths from the virus on Thursday.NEW: Dallas County Reports 537 Additional Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases and 6 Deaths pic.twitter.com/NQOcIJYXXe— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) July 30, 2020 "I’d like to remind everyone of the importance of six foot distancing, mask wearing outside the home and limiting trips outside the home to work and absolute necessities" said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. "It’s up to all of us to get the numbers down so less people become infected, our economy gets stronger, and our kids can return to school."Even with the lower numbers, county leaders insist we must remain vigilant for this trend to continues.The numbers were higher in Tarrant County with 672 new cases reported and 8 deaths.Denton County reported 188 new cases, and 86 new cases were reported in Collin County.

July 31, 2020

Irving Coronavirus Test Site Will Move To Mesquite Beginning Monday

Today's the last day of Coronavirus testing at the University of Dallas in Irving. By Monday, the test site will be moved to Mesquite.It's been a month since the University of Dallas test site opened. Now, it's moving again. Tests will be given up through 1 p.m. today at the campus on Northgate Drive in parking lot B.This weekend, everything will be moved to Eastfield College on La Prada Drive near I-30. Beginning Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. the testing will resume with tents set up in Parking Lot 8.The requirements remain the same. You must be a Dallas County resident, age 65 or older, and you'll need to verify that.Tests are also available for those who have chronic health issues like diabetes, asthma or heart issues.Also welcome are first responders, DART drivers, healthcare workers or workers in the grocery or other essential retail businesses.And you can get the test if you're showing symptoms. And even if you're not, if you've been in large group settings within the previous 15 days.ATTN: City of Dallas and Dallas County residentsToday (7/31) is the last day for #COVID19 testing at @UofDallas. For more information on what to bring, testing results and more, visit our website. https://t.co/Ne9HkjJ1RW— City of Dallas (@CityOfDallas) July 31, 2020

July 31, 2020

Baylor University Students Have To Pass COVID Test Before School Starts

Baylor's students return to campus August 24th, but they can't come back without testing negative for COVID-19 first. Students will get one in the mail, self-administer the test and send it back. The results should come in within 48 hours. Baylor Vice President of marketing and communications says students will take the tests as close as possible to their return to campus. "Once they take that test we're asking them to make sure they practice good social distancing, they stay away from large groups and gatherings, wear face coverings, sanitize their hands and that's good practice as we start the fall semester because that's going to be the requirement as when they get to Baylor this fall."Cook says it's part of a layering of strategy as they gear up for their return to campus. "There's several things that we're looking at in terms of social distancing, wearing face coverings, reducing density across our campus."He says the tests will provide a baseline of the prevalence of the virus in the student population. "It is critical for us as a good partner in Waco as we welcome 17,000 students back to make sure we have a good handle on the entire situation, just for the health and well-being of our entire community."Cook adds testing will continue as needed during the fall semester. He adds three fourths of their classes will be in person. Students who are ill or not comfortable with that arrangement can take classes online.

July 31, 2020

Loved Ones Worry About Nursing Home Patients

The anxiety during this age of Covid 19 may be even worse for people with loved ones in nursing and memory care facilities. They can't have in person visitors although they can see their families via computers and through windows.Mary Wright McCourt is a voluntary Ambassador to Midland representative Mike Conoway and part of the Alzheimer's Association Congressional team. She says the separation does a lot of harm to the patient as they don't understand why no one is coming to see them. "It does nothing but decline their mind, their body their spirit. You can't be there to make sure your loved one is eating, that they're getting the proper care that they need" said McCourt.She can imagine a scenario where visitors have their temperature taken, wear a mask and perhaps even a gown and gloves. And if the patient doesn't understand "you could always tell a little fib and say I have a cold and I really don't want to expose you to my cold, so I'm wearing this so I don't make you sick, instead of trying to explain to them what Covid is."Her father battled Alzheimer's four 14 years and lived the last four in a memory care unit. "If it were me personally, I would have just moved in with my dad. Not being able to see your loved one and make sure they're being looked after is just more than I can imagine."

July 30, 2020

FWISD Board To Hold Emergency Meeting

FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD) - The Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees will be holding an emergency meeting at 8:00 a.m. Thursday to discuss the opening of the upcoming school year.Yesterday, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued guidance that stated that local governments do not have the authority to close school campuses to in-person learning.That guidance puts the decision on how to open the school year back in the hands of local school boards.The Fort Worth ISD had previously announced that it would give parents the option of whether to have their kids go to school or attend remotely.Those wishing to offer public comment must register to do so by calling 817-814-1956 by 8:00 a.m. Thursday.

July 29, 2020