Tarrant County Public Health COVID-19 reporting process to include provisional data

March 30, 2020 (Tarrant County, TX) - Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) today announced that they will begin reporting all COVID-19 cases reported to the county, including pending COVID-19 cases that have been confirmed by lab reports.

“Until now, we have only been reporting confirmed cases, but as the numbers in Tarrant County continue to increase, we want to provide the public with as much information as possible about the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said TCPH Director of Public Health Vinny Taneja.  “So, effective immediately, we will begin sharing provisional case counts that have been confirmed by lab reports, but are pending on investigational data” he said.

Tarrant County Public Health today reports a total of 155 confirmed cases on their website.

In addition to that number an additional 83 provisional cases are lab confirmed, but pending due to missing investigational data. Those cases will now be included so that the news media and the public will have a better idea of what is happening in the county from a reported cases standpoint.

“The health and safety of all Tarrant County residents is our number one priority,” Taneja said. “We want to be transparent and open as possible, while also protecting the privacy and health information of everyone involved.”

COVID-19 causes respiratory illness with cough, fever, and shortness of breath, and may lead to bronchitis and severe pneumonia. The United States now has more than 122,000 reported cases of COVID-19.

Tarrant County Public Health reminds everyone to continue to follow basic preventive measures to protect from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. These include:

• Stay home as much as possible and practice social distancing by staying six feet away from others when you do go out. Avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick. If you have trouble breathing, or a persistent fever, call your primary care provider.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Frequently clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces.

For more information visit coronavirus.tarrantcounty.com or call the information line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 817-248-6299.

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