SAN ANTONIO —
These are the facts:
- There have been at least 42,403 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 1,158 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 3:20 p.m. on May 13, according to Texas HHS.
- City leaders say there are 1,972 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:13 p.m. on May 13. A total of 58 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.
Wednesday, May 13
6:40 p.m.
In the daily coronavirus response briefing alongside local leaders, SAWS CEO Robert Puente said there has been a 300% increase in the number of San Antonio residents "eligible to be disconnected" from access to water after not staying up to date on their bills. It's just one sign of how the coronavirus pandemic has yielded a major economic fallout.
6:13 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 30 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on Wednesday, bringing the total to 1,972. Meanwhile, one new death from COVID-19 complications was reported, bringing the local death toll to 58. In all, 1,050 county residents have recovered from the virus.
The woman who died was an 80-year-old resident at the Rio at Mission Trails nursing home.
4:45 p.m.
Metro Health has announced two more walk-up coronavirus-testing sites that will open this week for Bexar County residents. The Southside Lions Community Center and the Claude Black Community Center will serve as testing locations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
According to officials, you don't need to schedule an appointment beforehand, though only the first 150 people at each location will be able to get a test before the daily capacity is reached.
3:30 p.m.
The state reported more than 1,000 new cases of the coronavirus over Tuesday, bringing the total tally to 42,403. Meanwhile, 1,158 Texans have died from coronavirus-related complications.
3:15 p.m.
As part of its series of visits to major cities across the country, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the military branch's air demonstration squadron, visited San Antonio to salute healthcare workers on the frontlines against COVID-19. Here's what the flyover looked like, from the ground and from the sky.
12:30 p.m.
In a press release distributed on Wednesday afternoon, state officials said it would be dispatching the Texas National Guard to help with disinfection efforts of nursing facilities across the state, after receiving guidance from local disaster assessment experts.
11:30 a.m.
The San Antonio Fire Department has updated their numbers:
- SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive -6
- SAFD Uniformed in quarantine - 8
- SAFD Civilians in quarantine-0
- Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined- 8
11:27 a.m.
Comal County officials have reported one recovery from coronavirus and zero new cases of the disease.
At this time, there have been 6 deaths and 56 recoveries. The county currently has six active cases, one of which is hospitalized.
10:35 a.m.
The San Antonio Police Department has updated their numbers:
- Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive -6
- Officers in quarantine - 6
- Civilians in quarantine- 5
- Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined- 11
8:20 a.m.
The University of Texas at San Antonio says it will be refunding $10 million to students amid the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
4:10 a.m.
A new coronavirus aid package released Tuesday by House Democrats includes $25 billion for the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service, which could run out of money by the end of September without a taxpayer bailout.
3:57 a.m.
Advice from the nation’s top disease control experts on how to safely reopen businesses and institutions in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic included detailed instructive guidance and some more restrictive measures than the plan released by the White House last month.
The 63-page document shows how the thinking of the CDC infection control experts differs from those in the White House managing the pandemic response.
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.
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.