COVID-19 Updates and Information

January 14, 2021

Click here to sign up to receive a weekly Friday UPdate with COVID-19 information and updates.

COVID-19 Vaccination distribution information

In Texas, 1A and 1B individuals are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Those eligible include a variety of frontline healthcare workers and people who are 65 years of age or older and those who are 16 years of age or older who are at increased risk for severe illness due to pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
 
Mass vaccine hubs are now operating in many counties across Texas. Dallas, Tarrant and Denton counties are allowing people in those specific groups to register to get vaccinated, even if they are not a resident of that specific county. Vaccinations will not be given to walk-ups and they are not yet available to the general public.
 
Dallas County Vaccination Registration website.
 
Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 Vaccine Information website.
 
Alternatively, if you are in one of the eligible groups, you can receive a vaccination through various other providers.
 
Texas Health and Human Service COVID-19 Vaccination Provider locations.
 
Texas Health and Human Services Department tracking dashboards
 
The Texas Health and Human Services Department has also established a dashboard so you can track distribution and application of the vaccine on a county-by-county basis.
 
Get updated statistics on coronavirus cases, testing, and recoveries with the state's COVID-19 tracker.
 
Notification from Dallas County on COVID-19 positive cases in UP - January 12

Dallas County Health and Human Services has notified the City that as of January 12, a total of 956 University Park residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since reporting began in March. There have  been 10 additional cases reported since January 8.   

Respecting individual privacy, this is the only information being released at this time.

Case totals are supplied to the County through hospital reports. Dallas County does not track or report on those who have recovered from the virus. 

Also note, the County has added a new category to its tracking data called "probable cases."  That number indicates that a resident has either meet clinical criteria for COVID-19, or there is presumptive lab evidence to indicate that.  The missing element is a lab test confirming that the resident is COVID-19 positive.    

For more information and the latest data from the County, click here. 



Notification from the County of total positive COVID-19 cases in UP (March to Current Date)
 

Date	Total DCHHS positive cases in UP
3/24/2020	8
3/31/2020	12
4/28/2020	25
5/29/2020	26
6/30/2020	38
7/31/2020	75
8/28/2020	142
9/29/2020	250
10/30/2020	342
11/24/2020	571
12/29/2020	856
1/05/2021	941
1/08/2021	946
1/12/2021	956

Dine-In restaurant capacity reduced to 50 percent

On December 3, because COVID-19 patients occupied at least 15 percent of available bed space in hospitals across North Texas for a seventh straight day, by order of Governor Abbott, dine-in restaurant capacity in North Texas dropped back from 75 percent to 50 percent. Non-essential businesses including gyms, retail stores and office buildings in North Texas must also abide by this 50 percent requirement. 

This reduced capacity level will remain in effect until COVID-19 patients make up less than 15 percent of available bed space for seven straight days. This action is mandated throughout the 19-county North Texas region. Among the counties involved are Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties and smaller counties like Rockwall and Wise.

To read a news release from Dallas County with additional details on this action, click here.

Governor's limitations on outdoor gatherings still in effect 

For any outdoor gathering in excess of 10 people, other than those set forth in the Executive Order (GA-30) in paragraph Nos. 1, 2, 3, or 5, the gathering is prohibited unless the mayor of the city in which the gathering is held, or the county judge in the case of a gathering in an unincorporated area, approves of the gathering, and such approval can be made subject to certain conditions or restrictions not inconsistent with this executive order.


Dallas County COVID-19 risk level is red


 
Acting on a recommendation from Dallas County's Public Health Committee, the County has positioned its color-coded coronavirus threat level at red. 
 
Under this highest risk level, residents are urged to stay home unless they are performing essential activities.
 
For more information about the guidelines at each level, written by local public health, epidemiology and infectious disease experts, click here.
 

Dashboard with information about COVID-19 cases on the SMU campus

 

Working in conjunction with local health and public policy officials, SMU has developed a comprehensive plan to enhance the safety of everyone on campus and minimize the spread of COVID-19.  This plan includes, but is not limited to, enhanced cleaning protocols, changes to the academic calendar and contact tracing procedures.  To view a dashboard of confirmed COVID-19 cases, click here.

Please note: To minimize travel and prevent virus spread over the holidays, students left campus for the Thanksgiving break and will not return to campus for the spring semester until January 25, 2021

Dashboard with information about HPISD COVID-19 cases

Highland Park ISD created a public webpage to provide staff and community members with timely and transparent information related to HPISD lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases.  To view the dashboard, click here.

Help for those who are struggling to pay their natural gas bills

If you or someone you know is having difficulty with past due energy bills during this unprecedented time, made more difficult by the pandemic, here is information about assistance for Atmos Energy customers.

UP Public Library modifies hours of service

As health and safety precautions related to COVID-19 continue, based on recent user data, both onsite and at curbside, library service hours have been modified to better meet your needs.  Here are our new hours of operation:

Library Browsing:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday      10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday                         10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
 
Curbside Pickup:
Tuesday through Thursday           10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday                      10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

• Curbside Service is available to all library card holders.  Just place your items on hold as you normally would by either using our online catalog, calling the library at 214-363-9095, or using the library’s app UPTXLIB.
• When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you.  Please wait for the phone call before coming to the library for your items.  A text or email from the library may not mean that your items are ready for pick up.
• When you pull to the curb in front of the library’s entrance, call us at 214-363-9095 to let us know that you are here. Please do not leave a message. Please have your trunk or hatch open and remain inside your vehicle.
• Library staff is available for phone requests and research assistance on Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Books may be returned in the library’s downstairs book return drop 24/7
• Items without holds will still be automatically renewed.

Governor signs Executive Order requiring use of facial coverings 

Governor Greg Abbott's Executive Order requires all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity, building or public space wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.  The Order takes effect at noon on July 3.

A few specifics:
 

• Does not apply to children younger than 10 years of age
• Does not apply when people are consuming food and drink, or are seated at a restaurant
• Does not apply when people are exercising outdoors and are maintaining a safe distance from other people not in the same household
• Does not apply to anyone who is in a swimming pool, lake, or similar body of water
• Does not apply to Counties with less than 20 positive COVID-19 cases

To read the full Order, click here.

Social distancing at City facilities 

In line with the Governor's July 2 Executive Order, for your health and to maintain the health of our workforce, City employees are continuing to practice social distancing. Accordingly, access to City buildings is limited. 
 

• City Hall - Face coverings must be worn.  Masks are available for those who enter the lobby and the 24 hour entrance. Visitors are encouraged to speak with desired staff by cell phone or by appointment. Of course, public walk-up access to our 911 Call Center remains available day or night.
• Peek Service Center - Front doors will continued to be locked during business hours. Visitors are encouraged to set appointments with staff.  Masks must be worn inside the Peek Service Center.  If you do not have one, masks will be provided.
• University Park Public Library - Masks must be worn inside the facility.  Masks are available for those who do not have them.  Curbside service is still available.
• Municipal Court - Wednesday Night Court remains suspended, the Court Window at City Hall continues to be staffed. 
• 2525 University Transfer Station - Masks must worn inside the building.  Masks will be provided for those who do not have them. 
• Other Services - Fire Department: Station tours, birthday parties and child safety seat installations remain suspended. Police Department: Fingerprinting and station tours remain suspended.