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Coronavirus SA Timeline: May 12

Facts not fear: KENS 5 is tracking the latest headlines and updates about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

SAN ANTONIO —

These are the facts:

  • There have been at least 41,048 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 1,133 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 5:00 p.m. on May 12, according to Texas HHS.
  • City leaders say there are 1,920 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:13 p.m. on May 11. A total of 57 people have died related to the coronavirus.
  • Governor Abbott's order for a "phased in" reopening of the Texas economy got underway Friday, May 1, and further phases are expected. You can find more information about that here.
  • Per city orders, most San Antonians need to wear a mask or cloth covering in public areas where social distancing is difficult or not possible. Click here for more information.
Credit: KENS 5

Tuesday, May 12

6:50 p.m.

In their Tuesday evening briefing, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff countered a letter from Attorney General Ken Paxton alleging that the metro is doing more than it has the right to enforce social distancing. The city contended that everything in the local orders is in line with that of the governor's without superseding state mandates, and Nirenberg called the letter a political maneuver. 

6:15 p.m.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 22 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,942. Meanwhile, no new deaths from COVID-19 complications were reported, keeping the local death toll at 57. In all, 53% of county residents diagnosed with the virus have recovered.

5:45 p.m.

Governor Abbott issued a proclamation today, extending his Disaster Declaration for all Texas counties in response to COVID-19. 

The declaration was originally issued on March 13 and previously extended on April 12. The Disaster Declaration provides the state with a number of resources to help residents as the state continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

5:15 p.m.

Bexar County officials can't require people to wear masks or stay at home, according to a letter sent Tuesday by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The letter says local orders cannot conflict with Gov. Greg Abbott's executive orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Similar letters were sent to officials in Dallas and Travis counties. 

5:00 p.m.

According to Texas HHS, there have been at least 41,048 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 1,133 reported deaths from COVID-19. 538,173 tests have been distributed in the state.

2:56 p.m.

The House of Representatives will vote on the 'Heroes Act,' which would offer a new round of payments to individuals and feature an additional “hazard pay” for essential workers. But the legislation is heading straight into a Senate roadblock.

2 p.m.

City health officials say they have started investigations into four local nursing homes where the coronavirus has infected residents and staff. Between all four, there have been a total of 39 total diagnoses; 17 of them stem from a single southeast-side facility.

12:17 p.m.

Sheriff Salazar said that 40 deputies have tested positive for coronavirus while 23 have recovered and 66 have tested negative. He also reported 227 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19.

11:45 a.m.

Comal County officials say the number of confirmed cases in the community is up to 68 after three new diagnoses. The death toll in the area remains at six. 

11 a.m.

The San Antonio Fire Department provided the following update in regards to cases among its ranks:

  • SAFD uniformed positive cases: 6
  • SAFD uniformed in quarantine: 10
  • SAFD civilian employees in quarantine: 0
  • Total SAFD personnel quarantined: 10

8:51 a.m.

Are you looking for a job? Every Tuesday KENS 5 shares the latest round-up of which companies are hiring in the San Antonio area.

6:49 a.m.

Dr. Fauci warns of "suffering and death" if the US reopens too soon. He warned that officials should adhere to federal guidelines for a phased reopening. He is among the health experts testifying to a Senate panel.

Monday, May 11

9:30 p.m.

6:13 p.m.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 19 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on May 11, bringing the total to 1,920

Meanwhile, 1 new death from COVID-19 complications was reported, bringing the local death toll to 57. In all, 978 county residents have recovered from the virus.

5:46 p.m. 

The Kendall County Office of Emergency Management and the City of Boerne have reported a new case of coronavirus bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 20.

5:38 p.m. 

Officials in DeWitt County are reporting the county's 16th and 18th cases of coronavirus.

5:35 p.m. 

Promising news from the COVID-19 Infectious Disease team at University Health System and UT Health. The team will be starting the second phase of patient testing for a coronavirus drug, remdesivir.  

READ MORE: UT Health San Antonio and University Hospital move into second phase of testing for coronavirus drug

5:20 p.m. 

Guadalupe County officials have confirmed six additional cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 99. Of the 99, 77 have recovered. 

4:50 p.m 

Officials in Hays County said that they have had five new cases since Saturday's update and that 140 of the county's 208 lab-confirmed cases are now considered recovered.

4:34 p.m 

Officials with the City of San Antonio have confirmed that an employee of the Southeast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has died.

The employee was described as an African American woman in her 60s with underlying medical conditions. 

Back on April 20, we reported that 74 residents tested positive for the virus as well as 28 employees following an outbreak at the nursing home. At that time there had been 18 deaths. 

1:01 p.m.

The San Antonio Fire Department reported the latest number of cases within the department:

SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive: 6

SAFD Uniformed in quarantine: 9

SAFD Civilians in quarantine: 0

Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined: 9

12:27 p.m. 

Starting today, Metro Health will be expanding coronavirus testing to asymptomatic individuals. This means that San Antonio residents will have access to testing even if they do not have any coronavirus symptoms.

10:48 a.m. 

Comal County officials confirmed zero new cases of coronavirus over the weekend. 

With six deaths and 48 recoveries, the county has 11 active cases, one of which is hospitalized.

As of Monday morning, the Comal County Office of Public Health has received reports of the following test information:

  • 940 tests conducted
  • 65 positive tests
  • 790 negative tests
  • 85 results still pending

8:27 a.m.

The San Antonio Police Department reported the latest number of cases within the department:

Sworn Officers positive: 6

Officers in quarantine: 3

Civilians in quarantine: 6

Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined: 9

8:05 a.m.

The Internal Revenue Service has set a Wednesday, May 13, deadline for direct deposit info. Otherwise, you may have to wait weeks for a check in the mail. You can sign up for direct deposit using the Get My Payment tool.

FOR PREVIOUS UPDATES, CLICK HERE 

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Coronavirus symptoms

The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.

But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.

The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.

Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...

  • The air by coughing or sneezing
  • Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

Help stop the spread of coronavirus

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Eat and sleep separately from your family members
  • Use different utensils and dishes
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
  • If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.

Lower your risk

  • 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.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • The CDC recommends wearing a mask or cloth face covering if you have to be out due to an essential service or essential activity such as going to the grocery store.
  • If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.

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