SAN ANTONIO —
These are the facts:
- There have been at least 45,198 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 1,272 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 3:15 p.m. on May 15, according to Texas HHS.
- City leaders say there are 2,120 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:13 p.m. on May 15. A total of 62 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.
Friday, May 15
8:45 p.m.
House Democrats pushed through a massive $3 trillion coronavirus relief package meant to help shore up a U.S. economy in freefall, but it faces resistance from the Republican-led Senate and White House. The bill would send $1 trillion to local governments' aid, as well as another round of $1,200 checks to individual Americans.
7:30 p.m.
The Texas Restaurant Association painted a grim future for Lone Star State eateries, saying that nearly 10% have closed during the ongoing pandemic, without plans to reopen.
7 p.m.
The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ordered that evictions and debt collections can resume in May after the court system temporarily put a hold on both during the ongoing pandemic. Eviction hearings can resume as soon as Tuesday, but some Texan tenants may be protected for a few more months through federal aid and moratoriums.
6:13 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 79 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on Friday, bringing the total to 2,120. Meanwhile, three new deaths from COVID-19 complications were reported, bringing the local death toll to 62. In all, 1,071 county residents have recovered from the virus.
5:40 p.m.
J.C. Penney, which had been struggling financially just before the coronavirus pandemic started, announced Friday it would file for bankruptcy while closing some stores.
4 p.m.
Calling the effort "Operation Warp Speed," President Donald Trump on Friday said the government would use "every plane, truck and soldier" at its disposal to distribute coronavirus vaccines that he hopes are ready by year's end.
3:30 p.m.
The number of lab-confirmed coronavirus cases rose by about 1,300 in the state on Friday, bringing the new total to 45,198, according to state health officials. The death toll rose to 1,272.
2:30 p.m.
Baptist Health System will be enforcing new rules come Monday, May 18.
The BHS visitation policy will be relaxed to allow one designated support person to accompany each patient.
2:17 p.m.
The Kendall County Office of Emergency Management and the City of Boerne is reporting a new case of coronavirus. This brings the total number of cases in the county to 21.
1:40 p.m.
VIA announced that they will resume collecting fares on June 1. They had suspended fare collection to prevent crowding at the entry points on buses.
Ticket windows will reopen on May 20, and tickets can also be purchased online. Passengers are required to wear a mask, and information on schedules and routes can be found here.
1:00 p.m.
La Cantera Resort & Spa announced that they will reopen to welcome guests on June 3. Guests will be able to make hair and nail appointments, and the company has put in place new standards to limit the potential spread of coronavirus.
11:06 a.m.
Comal County officials confirm two more cases of coronavirus bring the total number of cases in the county to 70.
10:00 a.m.
A food service employee in Medina Valley Independent School District is quarantining after having direct contact with a family member who has tested positive.
The employee worked in the kitchen at Potranco Elementary, which will be shut down for two weeks and sanitized. All employees who had contact with that employee are self-quarantining at home as well.
"For today’s meal service (May 15), food will be brought from another site and we will set up in the Potranco Elementary parking lot to distribute food," said a letter from MVISD Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Rohrbach. "Starting on Monday, May 18, the meal service at Potranco Elementary will move to Loma Alta Middle School for two weeks."
Thursday, May 14
9:00 p.m.
An employee at an H-E-B in New Braunfels has tested positive for coronavirus according to the store's website.
They say this person was last at the store at 651 South Walnut Ave.on May 5, and the store has been deep cleaned and sanitized multiple times since then.
8:45 p.m.
By the numbers: Of the 2,041 Bexar County residents who have tested positive for coronavirus, more than half have recovered, as of Thursday evening.
6:13 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 65 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on May 14, 2020, bringing the total to 2,041.
Meanwhile, 1 new death from COVID-19 complications was reported, bringing the local death toll to 59.
In all, 1,051 county residents have recovered from the virus.
5:40 p.m
Hays County health officials reported two new COVID-19 cases in the county, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in the count to 219. 144 residents have recovered from the virus; Hays County has seen three fatalities due to coronavirus.
5:30 p.m.
There have been at least 43,851 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 1,216 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 5:30 p.m. on May 14, according to Texas HHS.
5:00 p.m.
Many Texas school districts are changing their plans for next year, but Comal Independent School District is sticking to their calendar.
This comes after the Texas Education Agency provided new guidance, including an earlier start date, later end date, longer winter break and other prolonged vacations, among other things.
3:50 p.m.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar announced 44 additional cases of coronavirus at the jail on Thursday, bringing the total to 297.
He said that after a push to ramp up testing and isolate units of inmate workers, many who would have otherwise been working in the kitchen have tested positive. 223 of the positive cases are asymptomatic.
According to Salazar, over 1,300 inmates have been tested so far. He called the goal of testing everyone a "moving target" considering 70-100 inmates come in every day and 70-100 leave.
11:48 a.m.
The San Antonio Fire Department has updated their numbers:
- SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive -6
- SAFD Uniformed in quarantine - 4
- SAFD Civilians in quarantine-0
- Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined- 4
Service delivery to the citizens of the City of San Antonio has not been impacted.
10:17 a.m.
Another movie theater is opening its doors in San Antonio; City Base Entertainment is set to welcome customers on Friday. The company shared its new safety procedures that will be implemented for guest safety.
10:10 a.m.
America faces the “darkest winter in modern history” unless leaders act decisively to prevent a rebound of the coronavirus, says a government whistleblower who alleges he was ousted from his job after warning the Trump administration to prepare for the pandemic.
7:45 a.m.
Tyson Foods is lowering some prices on certain products this week after coronavirus closures at meatpacking plants led to a surge in meat costs, the company says.
7:41 a.m.
Roughly 36 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the two months since the coronavirus first forced millions of businesses to close their doors and shrink their workforces, the Labor Department says.
5:17 a.m.
New locations have been announced in San Antonio for mobile and walk-up COVID-19 testing. The city says these locations do not require an appointment.
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.