SAN ANTONIO —
These are the facts:
- There have been at least 37,860 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 1,049 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 12:15 p.m. on May 9, according to Texas HHS.
- City leaders say there are 1,887 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:13 p.m. on May 9. A total of 56 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.
Saturday, May 9
10 p.m.
Two members of the White House coronavirus task force have placed themselves in quarantine after reportedly coming into contact recently with a positive patient.
9:15 p.m.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office says a total of 307 jail inmates have now tested positive for coronavirus after six new reported diagnoses on Saturday. Forty-nine of them have recovered.
9 p.m.
President Trump on Saturday announced the federal government will purchase $3 billion worth of dairy, meat and produce from farmers to help out local food banks.
7:30 p.m.
As national parks slowly begin to increase access for outdoor recreators, officials say to expect more employees patrolling trails and campgrounds.
6:40 p.m.
City leaders encouraged social and physical distancing ahead of Mother's Day. In his daily updates regarding coronavirus in San Antonio, Mayor Nirenberg urged everyone to find a way to thank and show love to their mothers from afar, especially if they are members of a vulnerable population.
6:13 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 52 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on Saturday, May 9, bringing the total to 1,887. Meanwhile, no new deaths from COVID-19 complications were reported, so the local death toll remains at 56.
5 p.m.
After previously being postponed at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the NHL says its annual draft may now happen earlier than originally scheduled—in early June, before the Stanley Cup Final.
1 p.m.
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the State of Texas rose to 1,049 on Saturday, according to the the Health and Human Services Department. There have been 37,860 total cases, amounting to an increase of more than 1,200 over Friday's reported figures.
11:15 a.m.
There are a total of 1,288,569 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States as of Saturday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have also been 77,344 reported coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S.
7:53 a.m.
NCAA President Mark Emmert says the coronavirus is making it unlikely all schools will be ready to begin competing in college sports at the same time.
7:41 a.m.
Eleven members of the U.S. Secret Service are currently positive for coronavirus, according to reports by USA Today and Yahoo News.
1:17 a.m.
NBA teams start to reopen facilities, as plans for tests begin emerging.
12:37 a.m.
National gas prices are on the rise as states reopen, according to a recent report from AAA.
Friday, May 8
9:15 p.m.
Senator John Cornyn, R-TX, said he wants protection for business owners who are opening this month under the latest state orders and who are complying with measures to protect customers.
6:15 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 30 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on Friday, bringing the total to 1,835. Meanwhile, two new deaths from COVID-19 complications were reported, bringing the local death toll to 56. In all, 927 county residents have recovered from the virus, which is 51 percent.
5:35 p.m.
Hays County officials report a new death from coronavirus complications—a Wimberley resident in their 90s who had been in the hospital since last month.
A total of two county residents have died from the virus, and 203 have been confirmed to be infected with it.
4:35 p.m.
The White House said a press secretary who works for Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for the coronavirus, making her the second person who works at the White House confirmed to have been diagnosed in the last few days.
3:38 p.m.
The San Antonio Police Department has released its latest cases.
- Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive: 6
- Officers in quarantine: 3
- Civilians in quarantine: 9
- Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined: 12
1:50 p.m.
The San Antonio Fire Department has released its numbers of coronavirus-related cases:
- SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive -6
- SAFD Uniformed in quarantine - 10
- SAFD Civilians in quarantine-0
- Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined- 10
12:30 p.m.
Texas now has 1,004 confirmed deaths from coronavirus, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. More than 36,000 cases have been reported.
11:26 a.m.
One Kendall County resident tests positive at the first Boerne/Kendall County mobile test site. A total of 92 tests were administered at the site last week. Of the 92 tests, four people tested positive. The other 3 people who tested positive were residents of Comal and Bexar counties.
At this time, Kendall county is reporting a total of 19 cases.
11:25 a.m.
CPS Energy has confirmed that one of their team members has tested positive for coronavirus. The affected employee is recovering at home.
11:20 a.m.
The Hays County Local Health Department reports an additional death related to coronavirus. This brings the total to two deaths.
Officials said the person, who passed away Thursday, May 7, was a Wimberley resident in their 90s who was counted in the existing positive cases that have been reported daily.
As of Friday, Hays County has 73 active cases and has administered 2,091 tests. A full report COVID-19 update will be released later this afternoon.
10:14 a.m.
Comal County confirmed four recoveries from COVID-19 and zero new cases.
With six deaths and 48 recoveries, the county has 11 active cases, one of which is hospitalized.
As of Friday morning, the Comal County Office of Public Health has received reports of the following test information:
- 932 tests conducted
- 65 positive tests
- 785 negative tests
- 82 results still pending
7:45 a.m.
The U.S. unemployment rate hit 14.7% in April, the highest rate since the Great Depression, as 20.5 million jobs vanished in the worst monthly loss on record. The figures are stark evidence of the damage the coronavirus has done to a now-shattered economy.
6:30 a.m.
The next step in reopening Texas begins this morning with salons welcoming customers back. In addition to salons, barbershops, hair and cosmetology salons, and nail salons are also allowed to open back up today.
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.