Coronavirus Update: April 28, 2020

By The Numbers:
Statistics are current as of April 28, 12:00pm CT

  • In Texas, 300,384 people have been tested, resulting in 26,171 cases and 690 deaths, as reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. An estimated 1,682 patients are in Texas hospitals, and 11,786 coronavirus patients in Texas have successfully recovered.
    • Tarrant County has at least 2,019 confirmed cases; Parker County has 25 confirmed cases; and Wise County has 15.
  • In the United States, there are at least 957,875 cases and 53,922 deaths, as reported by the CDC.
    • 282,991 cases are in the New York City area - the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.

Need to Know:

  • Paycheck Protection Program loans are available again for TX-12 small businesses. Yesterday morning, the Small Business Administration resumed accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the forgivable loan program that is supporting more than 1.6 million small businesses and protecting over 30 million American jobs. The PPP, which exhausted its funding in only two weeks due to overwhelming demand, got $310 billion in additional funds thanks to the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, the latest coronavirus relief package that President Trump signed into law last week.
    • More small businesses in Texas were approved for PPP loans than any other state, and now thousands more Texas small businesses will benefit from this critical relief—click here to learn more and apply.
    • ICYMI, I was on WFAA’s Inside Texas Politics Sunday morning discussing the second round of funding for the PPP and how the Program is even better prepared to ensure small businesses will weather this storm.
  • How to get tested: If you are interested in scheduling a test for the coronavirus, you must first meet CDC-determined testing criteria. Tarrant County Public Health has launched a new online screening tool to help you determine if you meet testing criteria. Those who do qualify for testing will be able to schedule an appointment through the website.
    • Online screenings are available for adults only in English and Spanish. For questions about getting your child tested, please contact their medical provider. If you know a neighbor who requires assistance in a language other than English or Spanish, tell them to call Tarrant County Public Health at 817-248-6299.
    • A list of facilities in the Fort Worth area offering testing for the coronavirus can be found on the city website and on the website for the Texas Department of State Health Services.