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Coronavirus SA Timeline: April 18

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

SAN ANTONIO —

These are the facts:

  • There have been at least 18, 260 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 453 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 6 p.m. p.m. on Saturday, April 18, according to Texas HHS.
  • City leaders say there are 992 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:15 p.m. on April 18. A total of 38 people have died related to the coronavirus, while 256 have recovered.
  • Governor Abbott issued an executive order telling people to stay home unless working in an "essential service" or doing an activity deemed essential. Here is what that means.

Coronavirus Q&A | SA's "Stay Home, Work Safe" order | List of companies still hiring |Shopping times for seniors | School districts offering free meals  

Saturday, April 18 

6:25 p.m.

While reporting the latest coronavirus figures, San Antonio and Bexar County leaders condemned the large gatherings of demonstrators that took to Austin streets on Saturday to protest ongoing stay-home orders. 

Mayor Nirenberg called the actions taken by dozens at the state's capitol "reckless" and "careless."

6:10 p.m.

Local leaders reported 33 newly-confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Bexar County, bringing the total in the metro to 992. Mayor Ron Nirenberg also reported an additional death from coronavirus complications, of a man in his 50s with underlying heath issues. 

Meanwhile, 256 county residents have recovered from the virus, and 78 are currently being treated at a hospital. 

5:30 p.m.

Hays County reports four new confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents in the community, bringing the total there to 125. Fifty-four have recovered. 

2 p.m.

Dozens of protesters took to Austin streets to protest ongoing social distancing guidelines, one day after Gov. Abbott announced the first steps in his plan to re-open businesses across the state. It's one of several similar protests that have unfolded across the country, and was promoted by Austin-based InfoWars. 

10:41 a.m.

Comal County officials have confirmed zero positive cases of coronavirus for a third straight day.

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

  • 581 tests conducted
  • 43 positive tests
  • 513 negative tests
  • 25 results still pending

The county also announced it has set up a hotline for residents to call with coronavirus-related questions and local restrictions. The number is (830)221-1120, and is available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also go to this website for information. 

7:45 a.m

There were more than 706,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States around 7:45 a.m. Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 37,000 deaths in the U.S. and 59,000 recoveries. More than 3.5 million tests have been conducted.

Worldwide, there have been 2.2 million cases, 154,000 deaths and 577,000 recoveries.

Friday, April 17

6:20 p.m.

Local leaders confirm a fifth San Antonio firefighter has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. 

6:15 p.m.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg reports an additional 41 confirmed cases of the virus in the San Antonio metro, bringing the total local number to 959. The death toll from COVID-19 complications remains at 37. 

"What you're doing is working, so stay the course," Nirenberg said in his daily briefing alongside County Judge Nelson Wolff. "Stay home and save lives. We're not out of the woods yet."

6:10 p.m.

Officials in Atascosa County report the county's first death from coronavirus complications, identifying the victim only as an elderly man."

5:20 p.m.

After Gov. Abbott announced that all schools in Texas will stay closed for the rest of the academic year, the UIL followed suit by "canceling all remaining 2019-2020 spring activities and state championships," including practices and workouts. 

4:20 p.m.

County authorities say they will quarantine a specific section of the jail as seven of the 15 total COVID-19-positive inmates are housed there. Three deputies who work in the annex also tested positive for the virus. 

2:43 p.m.

BCSO reported an additional five inmates have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Bexar County Jail to 15.

11:35 a.m.

The San Antonio Fire Department reported the following information Friday about firefighters who have tested positive for coronavirus and those who are in quarantine. The information is from April 16th, 2020.

  • SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive -4
  • SAFD Uniformed in quarantine - 53
  • SAFD Civilians in quarantine-0
  • Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined- 53

10:51 a.m.

BCSO has reported a detention deputy testing positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of deputies who have tested positive to 21.

At this time, BCSO has not determined where the source of the infection originally occurred.

8:25 a.m. 

The San Antonio Police Department has provided an update on their numbers as of today:

Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive -6

Officers in quarantine - 5

Civilians in quarantine- 3

Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined- 8

7 a.m.

With a road map to now go by from President Donald Trump, Gov. Abbott will announce today his plan to gradually re-open Texas. He's expected to hold a news conference at noon, which will be streamed here on KENS5.com.

Earlier this week, he announced he would be going over details on jump starting the economy but emphasized it would be gradual and not everything would open all at once.

5:45 a.m. 

There have been 671,331 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of Friday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been 33,284 deaths and 56,236 recoveries. More than 3.4 million tests have been conducted. Worldwide, there have been 2.16 million cases, 144,000 deaths, and 544,000 recoveries.

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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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