Coronavirus Update: May 1, 2020
By The Numbers:
Statistics are current as of May 1, 3:00pm CT
- In Texas, 351,775 people have been tested, resulting in 29,229 cases and 816 deaths, as reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. An estimated 1,778 patients are in Texas hospitals, and 14,122 coronavirus patients in Texas have successfully recovered.
- Tarrant County has at least 2,149 confirmed cases; Parker County has 30 confirmed cases; and Wise County has 17.
- In the United States, more than 1 million cases of coronavirus have now been diagnosed. There are at least 1,062,446 cases and 62,406 deaths, as reported by the CDC.
Need to Know:
- Reopening Texas, safely and strategically. Phase One of Governor Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas, while maintaining our progress in slowing the spread, becomes effective TODAY. Under Phase One:
- All retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls can reopen at 25 percent capacity if they choose. If the virus’ spread remains contained for two weeks during Phase One, then Phase Two, which will open even more businesses, can begin as early as May 18.
- Churches can expand capacity if they practice social distancing.
- All licensed medical practitioners can return to work, although hospitals must reserve 15 percent capacity for coronavirus patients.
- While Texas’ stay-at-home order expired yesterday, Governor Abbott—and the CDC—are still urging us all to continue social distancing to maintain our momentum and not squander our gains.
- Loan options for Fort Worth’s small businesses. On Monday, the Small Business Administration resumed accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program, once again giving critical support to millions of small businesses and the tens of millions of Americans they employ. For 8 hours on Wednesday, the SBA only accepted loans from America’s smallest lending institutions to guarantee that the smallest lenders and their customers have access to PPP funds. Don’t get left out: click here to learn more about the PPP and apply.
- Another—smaller—loan program for small businesses is also getting additional funds. The City of Fort Worth’s nearly $2 million Business Resiliency Microloan Program is planning to make an additional $15 million available for small businesses, with the goal of making the funds available by May 15.