Coronavirus Update: April 8, 2020

By The Numbers:
Statistics are current as of April 8, 12:00pm CT

• In Texas, 96,258 people have been tested, resulting in 9,353 cases and 177 deaths, as reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Tarrant County has at least 554 confirmed cases; Parker County has 6 confirmed cases; and Wise County has 3. Yesterday, April 7 was the seventh consecutive day Tarrant County confirmed at least one coronavirus-related death, bringing the county’s total to at least 18 dead.
• In the United States, there are at least 374,329 cases and 12,064 deaths, as reported by the CDC.
• 141,100 cases are in the New York City area - the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.

Need to Know:

• Update from Governor Greg Abbott: Monday, April 6th, Governor Abbott addressed Texans on what the state is doing to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Governor announced that:
• Texas received 2.5 million masks in the past 24 hours, and will receive an additional 3 million masks by April 11;
• The Texas Department of Public Safety has established checkpoints on the border between Texas and Louisiana. Anyone traveling from Louisiana into Texas must now self-quarantine for 14 days, unless exempted by the Governor’s order; and
• Texas’ mitigation efforts are working—but people should continue sheltering at home.
• Drive-through testing is available in Texas 12. Tarrant County adults or children looking to be tested for the coronavirus can now visit four drive-through test sites operated by Urgent Care for Kids. Those seeking to be tested must first complete Urgent Care for Kids’ virtual pre-screen processing. Visit https://urgentcarekids.com/covid19-test/ for more information and test site locations.
• More relief loans for small businesses are out the door thanks to the Paycheck Protection Program. Application forms for the Small Business Association (SBA)’s Paycheck Protection Program, designed to support small businesses and keep more Americans employed, are available through the SBA and Treasury’s websites and through your local lender. As of yesterday, April 7th, over 178,000 loans – totaling $50 billion – have been approved for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program. As the program continues, I will work with the Administration to ensure it has the funds necessary to support our job creators and their hardworking employees.
• An FAQ document from the SBA and Treasury is available online.
• If you are having problems with the process after contacting your local lender, my office is here to help: (817) 338-0909.