Coronavirus Update: September 24th, 2020

By The Numbers:
Statistics are current as of September 24th, 11:00 a.m. CT  

• In Texas, 5,593,488 people have been tested, resulting in 719,599 cases and 15,129 deaths, as reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. There are an estimated 86,416 active cases in our state, and an estimated 618,054 coronavirus patients in Texas have successfully recovered.  
  • Tarrant County has at least 44,268 confirmed cases, the third-highest number of cases among Texas counties; Parker County has 1,909 confirmed cases; and Wise County has 761.
• In the United States, there are at least 6,874,982 cases and 200,275 deaths, as reported by the CDC.

Need to Know:

• Governor Abbott loosens some coronavirus restrictions. Thanks to a downward trend in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations across Texas, last week Governor Abbott announced new executive orders loosening restrictions on certain business sectors. Starting this past Monday, September 21^st, restrictions were relaxed for hospitals and long-term care facilities, as well as retail stores, office buildings, gyms, and restaurants, which are allowed to reopen at 75% capacity. Bars, however, must stay closed. When he announced the reopenings, Governor Abbott credited the improvement in our state’s coronavirus cases to “Texans taking COVID seriously” by social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, and following public health guidance, so continue to do your part to keep our momentum strong.

• Apply for small business aid by October 2^nd. Earlier this summer, the City of Fort Worth’s small business grant program, Preserve The Fort, awarded over $6.2 million to nearly 850 small businesses across Fort Worth. Applications to participate in the second round of Preserve the Fort grant funding is open now, until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, October 2^nd. Eligible small businesses, bars, music venues, and nonprofits may receive grants of up to $150,000. Learn more and apply here today. 

• You can still get your coronavirus impact payment—but time is running out. Up to nine million Americans haven’t collected their economic impact payments yet, including up to one million Texans. If you still haven’t received your $1,200 payment, the IRS is urging you to register at IRS.gov by October 15^th to receive your payment by the end of the year. Individuals can receive up to $1,200, and married couples can receive up to $2,400. Remember that you don’t need earned income or a job in order to receive an impact payment and that you may also be entitled to an additional $500 for each dependent child. You can get answers to your questions about impact payments online and over the phone, through the IRS’ impact payment hotline: 800-919-9835.

• To locate a testing site in Fort Worth, visit fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19/testing/. To locate a testing site anywhere in Texas, visit bit.ly/txcovidtest.