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Real-time updates:
Friday, April 3
6:10 p.m.
Local leaders say the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bexar County now stands at 342, an dramatic increase over the figure of 254 reported on Thursday. Ninety-three of the cases are classified as community-transmission, and another 93 are travel-related.
However, it should be noted that figure includes the new numbers from the outbreak at the Southeast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where 67 of 84 residents have tested positive.
4:45 p.m.
San Antonio announces residents no longer need a physician's referral to be tested for the coronavirus, thanks to an influx of new testing supplies. They must, however, be showing symptoms.
4 p.m.
Lavaca County leaders confirm the second positive case of COVID-19 in their area, a travel-related case. The patient is isolating at home.
Elsewhere, the number of positive coronavirus cases in Hays County is up to 47 total; seven of those are travel-related. That figure includes the first confirmed case in Wimberley, Texas.
3:45 p.m.
Walmart announces extra precautions to promote social distancing in its stores, including limiting foot traffic to five customers per 1,000 square feet. That amounts to about 20% store capacity. They'll also be emphasizing the proper use of store entrances and exits and instituting one-way movement through aisles.
3:30 p.m.
The state announces it is offering childcare assistance for essential workers in Texas who are unable to find someone to look after their children. There are certain requirements to be eligible for the assistance.
2:30 p.m.
Gov. Abbott said more than 55,000 Texans have been tested for COVID-19. Of those, 5,478 have tested positive for the virus.
The governor said there are 91 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths in the state.
Abbott also said because of executive orders he has signed, there has been a 142% increase in hospital beds in the state. As of Friday afternoon, there are in the state:
- 19,695 beds available
- 47,585 total beds reported
- 2,107 ICU beds available
- 8,741 ventilators available
11:30 a.m.
City officials held a press conference to provide an update on the coronavirus outbreak at a local nursing home. At this time, 67 of the 84 residents have tested positive for coronavirus and there has been 1 reported death.
10:02 a.m.
Comal County confirms 3 additional cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 18.
8:21 a.m.
The number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 passed 6,000 early Friday morning, an increase of approximately 2,000 in the span of about 48 hours. That's according to numbers from Johns Hopkins University.
8:03 a.m.
A record-long streak of U.S. job growth ended suddenly in March after nearly a decade as employers cut 701,000 jobs because of the viral outbreak that's all but shut down the U.S. economy.
7:00 a.m.
Costco will start limiting how many customers can come into its stores beginning Friday in a temporary effort to encourage social distancing. The company said on its website that only two people per membership card will be allowed to enter. That means parents who normally haul their whole family to the store may have to leave some of them at home. Costco on Monday also announced its stores will close at 6:30 p.m. on weekdays temporarily -- two hours earlier than normal. Gas stations will close at 7 p.m. on weekdays and 6:30 p.m. on weekends.
6:30 a.m.
The number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 passed 6,000 early Friday morning, an increase of approximately 2,000 in the span of about 48 hours. That's according to numbers from Johns Hopkins University. More than 1/4 of those are in New York City.
Meanwhile, the university is also reporting 5,253 coronavirus cases in Texas and 86 deaths related to the coronavirus in Texas.
Thursday, April 2
9 p.m.
Officials with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department say one of its employees, who worked at a state school in Giddings, has tested positive for the coronavirus, having left work earlier this week after beginning to feel sick.
TJJD officials say the employee didn't interact with youth as part of their job, and anyone they had close contact with are now self-isolating.
6:45 p.m.
Two more Seguin residents have tested positive for coronavirus, according to city officials. 19 people in total have tested positive in the city.
6:15 p.m.
City Councilman Manny Pelaez told KENS 5 the number of cases at the Southeast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is up to 59 confirmed positive tests for coronavirus.
These cases are not included in Metro Health's latest county, according to Mayor Nirenberg.
6:15 p.m.
The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus has risen to 254, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said during his daily update. 59 positive cases have been reported at the Southeast Nursing & Rehabilitation center; it's unclear how many of those cases are reflected in the city's official count.
Nirenberg said the city has 79 travel-related cases and 82 community transmission cases, making this the first update where community spread outnumbers travel-related cases. 47 people have recovered fully.
4:15 p.m.
IDEA Public Schools is closing its Texas campuses for learning for the rest of the 2019-2020 academic school year amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read the schools full statement below:
"At IDEA Public Schools the safety of our students, staff and families is our top priority. All IDEA Public Schools campuses in Texas are preparing to offer distance learning the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. Our school buildings will remain closed except for meals and childcare. We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the summer and hope to reopen our school buildings in August."
4:00 p.m.
DeWitt County officials reported two new cases of coronavirus in county residents. One of the cases is believed to have been aq The total know cases in DeWitt County has risen to six.
2:45 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg plans to ask City Council next week to extend the “Stay Home, Work Safe” order through at least April 30, according to the mayor's office. The order was previously in place until April 9.
This comes after Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order with similar mandates through the end of April. You can read more about that order here.
1:51 p.m.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says a Detention Deputy has tested positive for coronavirus. It appears to be a community transmission of COVID-19. BCSO said the deputy did not have any contact with the public prior to being placed on administrative leave.
11:58 a.m.
Kendall County has confirmed its eight coronavirus cases. They have confirmed four cases are in Boerne, three are in Kendall County and one is in Fair Oaks Ranch. Seven of the cases are travel-related and one is close contact spread. There are currently no confirmed community spread cases.
11:00 a.m.
San Antonio's City Council announced the suspension of $82 million in spending on Thursday as coronavirus continues to hurt the local, national and global economy.
Officials say these are suspensions, not cuts, so the spending is expected to resume once the situation improves. The biggest suspensions are to street maintenance projects, and the City has also instituted a temporary hiring freeze for most positions.
10:45 a.m.
San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood gave details to the city council about the coronavirus outbreak at a nursing home. SAFD created a system where any nursing home in the region needing a patient transported from SAFD or private ambulance, a doctor will screen them first, see if person can be treated at center.
9:45 a.m.
The San Antonio City Council observed a moment of silence this morning to honor the people who have died from coronavirus and recognize the healthcare workers and other people who are on the front lines of the battle against coronavirus.
See the bells ringing below during the moment of silence at San Fernando Cathedral:
8:05 a.m.
More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, far exceeding a record high set just last week, a sign that layoffs are accelerating in the midst of the coronavirus. The job cuts are mounting against the backdrop of economies in the United States and abroad that have almost certainly sunk into a severe recession as businesses close across the world.
7:25 a.m.
A moment of silence is being held Thursday in San Antonio today at 9:20 a.m. to honor the people who have died from coronavirus and recognize the healthcare workers and other people who are on the front lines of the battle against coronavirus.
7:10 a.m.
The Federal Trade Commission says consumer complaints related to the coronavirus have surged. The FTC said Tuesday it has received 7,800 complaints since the start of the year and about half of those came in just the past week.
"The top categories of coronavirus-related fraud complaints include travel and vacation related reports about cancellations and refunds, reports about problems with online shopping, mobile texting scams, and government and business imposter scams," the FTC said in a statement.
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, hot 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.
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.