DFW COVID-19 Study Interim Findings – January 2021
Summary
As of January 28, 2021, there are over 25.6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States and more than 463,000 cases in Dallas and Tarrant Counties.* It is estimated that 40% of people who have SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms) and that asymptomatic individuals can spread the virus.** With testing and contact tracing being limited early in the pandemic, it is difficult to determine how widespread COVID-19 has been in the local community.
In response to these factors, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Health Resources launched the DFW COVID-19 Prevalence Study to understand how many people, by demographic groups, are or have been infected in North Texas to help develop strategies to improve public health. The study is recruiting in two ways: a community-based sample of adults from the two counties and a non-medical essential employee sample.
As of January 2021, over 18,500 individuals in Dallas and Tarrant Counties have participated by completing a survey and receiving free PCR and Antibody tests; this is a 50% increase from December 2020. Some key themes from the study are summarized below and a report of the interim findings follows. Additional reports will be published as study enrollment continues. The study is actively recruiting volunteers to participate with a focus on racial ethnic minorities and millennials.