COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Update: March 10

State health department announces next group to get the COVID-19 vaccine

Texans age 50 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, March 15, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced today.

Texas has prioritized health care workers, nursing home residents, those 65 and older and people with certain medical conditions for the vaccine in categories 1A and 1B. School and child care personnel recently were also determined to be eligible, following a federal directive to vaccinate teachers.

According to the TDSHS, more than 90 percent of COVID deaths in Texas have been among people age 50 and older, with 20 percent of death between the ages of 50 and 64. Officials say by expanding the vaccination eligibility they believe hospitalizations will continue to be reduced.

Update: March 2

Governor rescinds mask mandate, reopens businesses to 100 percent

Gov. Greg Abbott in a press conference this afternoon announced that he will be rescinding most of his COVID-19-related statewide mandates next week. This will include expanding capacities at all Texas businesses to 100 percent and allowing his statewide mask order to expire, on Wednesday, March 10.

The governor cited positive trends in active cases, positivity rates and hospitalizations — as well as the ramp-up in vaccine distribution to as many as 1 million shots administered per week — as the basis for his decision.

While the statewide mandates are set to expire, Gov. Abbott urged Texans to continue taking precautions to keep themselves and others safe.

His latest order also allows for county-level restrictions. Specifically, if a Trauma Service Area sees COVID-19-related hospitalizations above 15 percent for seven consecutive days, county judges will have the ability to issue limited orders of their own to fight back against the spike.

Update: Feb. 23

County Judge extends mask mandate until May 25, hospitalization decline results in new guidelines

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley extended the county’s mask mandate until at least May 25 when the Tarrant County Commissioners Court met Feb. 23. Commissioners also voted unanimously to extend the declaration of disaster until the same date, which allows Whitley to put the mask in place. The judge has the power to rescind the order at any time. 
The declaration of disaster was first enacted on March 13, 2020. The judge's mask order supports Gov. Greg Abbott’s July 2 order, which requires people in counties with 20 or more confirmed COVID-19 cases to wear a face mask in buildings and businesses open to the public and outdoors where maintaining six-feet distance isn't possible. 
The county has seen a drop in coronavirus hospitalizations during February, which the judge has maintained is a figure he watches closely. That number drop below the 15 percent threshold for seven consecutive days last week during last's winter storm. This was the first time that number dropped below 15 percent for a one-week period since early December.
As such, the North Texas region is no longer consider a “high hospitalization” area as defined by Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order 32. These are the guidelines now defined in that order:
• Restaurants, retailers, office buildings, gyms, museums, libraries, and manufacturing facilities may return to 75 percent indoor capacity.
• Tarrant County bars may reopen at 50 percent capacity.
• Elective surgeries at licensed hospitals may resume.
For more details on COVID-19 in Tarrant County, visit coronavirus.tarrantcounty.com.

Update: Jan. 28

Catholic Charities helping seniors get to vaccine appointments

Need a ride? If you're a Tarrant County senior and you've got an appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccine, Catholic Charities can help get you to the vaccine site. The service is offered Monday-Friday, 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 817-336-8714 to see if you qualify. Please remember that you must have an appointment to receive the vaccine. The Tarrant County Public Health vaccine registration site is www.tarrantcounty.com/covidshot.

Update: Jan. 11

Johnson County residents can register with Tarrant County Public Health for COVID-19 vaccine

Mansfield residents living in Johnson County who qualify for the COVID-19 under the Phase 1A and 1B distribution plan may register with Tarrant County Public Health to receive the vaccine at Tarrant County sites. Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon and Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley agreed to the plan and issued an announcement late Friday. If you are a Mansfield resident in Johnson County, visit the TCPH Vaccine Clinic App site and follow the step-by-step instructions for registering to receive the vaccine. Residents must sign-up to determine eligibility prior to receiving instructions and appointment information. For more information, call the TCPH Coronavirus hotline at 817-248-6299.

Update: Dec. 29

Information on COVID-19 vaccine provided online by Tarrant County Public Health

Tarrant County Public Health has launched an online resource for residents interested in COVID-19 vaccine information. The TCPH Vaccine Clinic App provides step-by-step instructions for registering to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Residents must sign-up to determine eligibility prior to receiving instructions and appointment information. For more information, call the TCPH Coronavirus hotline at 817-248-6299.

Update: Dec. 22

Tarrant County Public Health site provides COVID-19 testing information

A list of community testing sites is available online from Tarrant County Public Health where residents can screen symptoms and schedule testing. The site also provides a list of testing sites across the state.

Visit the COVID-19 Testing in Tarrant County page and follow the self-screening instructions prior to scheduling an appointment at a testing site. Public health officials suggest scheduling an appointment before visiting a site. Testing is free, but if you have insurance please bring your card with you to the testing site. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

City of Mansfield Health and Safety Policy

Update: Nov. 23

Governor, DSHS announce COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) today announced the guiding principles for the state's COVID-19 vaccine allocation process, which will serve as a foundation for the initial distribution of the vaccines expected as early as next month.

The guidelines were established by the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel, created by DSHS to make recommendations on vaccine allocation decisions including identifying groups that should be vaccinated first to provide the most protest to vulnerable populations and protect critical state resources.

"These guiding principles established by the panel will ensure that the State of Texas swiftly distributes the COVID-19 vaccine to Texans who voluntarily choose to be immunized," said Gov. Abbot. "This process will help us mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, protect the most vulnerable Texas and safeguard critical state resources."

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Governor Abbott releases a video on the importance of social distancing

211 Texas activated

The State of Texas has activated the statewide 211 network to provide COVID-19 information 24/7 to residents. 211 specialists from across the state are available to answer the most frequently asked, non-medical questions on the coronavirus based on material provided by the CDC and the DSHS. Any questions the 211 specialists cannot answer will be referred to the information lines of the state health department and local public health officials, in Mansfield’s case the Tarrant County Health Department.