SAN ANTONIO — To access the RTU blog for June 4, click here.
These are the facts:
- There have been at least 68,271 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 1,734 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 4:00 p.m. on June 3, according to Texas HHS. It is estimated that 45,858 Texans have recovered from the virus.
- City and county leaders say there are 2,953 confirmed positive cases in Bexar County as of 6:13 p.m. on June 3. A total of 78 people have died from the coronavirus in the county.
- 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 are being asked to wear a mask or cloth covering in public areas where social distancing is difficult or not possible. Click here for more information.
NEW DAILY CORONAVIRUS CASES IN BEXAR COUNTY:
We're tracking how many coronavirus cases are confirmed in Bexar County each day from the time San Antonio Metro Health began reporting cases more than two months ago. Graphing those daily case numbers along a 14-day moving average provides an accurate picture of the curve in the San Antonio area and the direction we're heading amid the coronavirus.
Wednesday, June 3
7 p.m.
As part of its Phase 3 reopening guidance, the state says organized outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people are now permitted. However, city and county leaders can still impose further limits if they coordinate with health experts.
6:13 p.m.
City and county leaders say there are 2,953 confirmed positive cases in Bexar County. A total of 78 people have died from the coronavirus in the county.
4:45 p.m.
The state is loosening operating restrictions for bars and restaurants as Phase 3 of its reopening plan gets underway. Effective immediately, bars can serve more customers at any given time, and restaurants' maximum table size is now 10 patrons.
4:00 p.m.
An additional 1,703 cases of coronavirus and 36 fatalities were reported in Texas Wednesday afternoon, according to Texas HHS. There have been at least 68,271 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 1,734 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 4:00 p.m. on June 3. It is estimated that 45,858 Texans have recovered from the virus.
2:30 p.m.
The state has triggered an extended window for unemployed residents to receive benefits; Texans who are out of work are now eligible for up t 52 weeks' of unemployment aid, which amounts to twice as much aid as they can normally receive.
At least 2.2 million Texans have filed for unemployment since mid-March.
11:30 a.m.
On Tuesday, Comal County health officials confirmed three new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 111.
7:01 a.m.
The Senate has confirmed a new inspector general to oversee money distributed as part of the $2 trillion economic rescue law, putting at least one watchdog in place as oversight of the money has lagged
5:17 a.m.
Zoom Video Communications is rapidly emerging as the latest internet gold mine as millions of people flock to its conferencing service to see colleagues, friends and family while tethered to their homes during the pandemic. Tuesday's release of the once-obscure company's financial results for the February-April period provided a window into the astronomical growth that has turned it into a Wall Street star.
4:24 a.m.
The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected late last year, has tested nearly 10 million people in an unprecedented 19-day campaign to check an entire city. It identified just 300 positive cases, all of whom had no symptoms. The city found no infections among 1,174 close contacts of the people who tested positive, suggesting they were not spreading it easily to others.
Tuesday, June 2
6:13 p.m.
City and county leaders say there are 2,882 confirmed positive cases in Bexar County. A total of 75 people have died from the coronavirus in the county.
4:15 p.m.
Texas reported 1,688 more cases of the new coronavirus Tuesday, bringing the total number of known cases to 66,568. In the last week, the state reported an average of 1,273 new cases per day.
The state has reported 20 additional deaths, bringing the statewide total to 1,698. In the last week, the state reported an average 22 additional deaths per day.
Click here for a full breakdown of the numbers.
3:00 p.m.
Demonstrations over the death of George Floyd have brought thousands of people into close contact with each other in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, leading politicians and health experts to warn that they may hasten the spread of a disease that has already claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Americans.
1:02 a.m.
Comal County officials have confirmed eight new cases of coronavirus, its largest one-day total to date. This brings the county's total to 79.
8:42 a.m.
It is important to help children understand what the social distancing requirements are, and why they are necessary. Holistic child psychologist Dr. Nicole Beurkens for some tips on how to do that:
- Hopscotch or chalk obstacle course on the sidewalk
- Outdoor dance party or Freeze Dance
- Jump rope
- Simon Says
- Take turns adding to a collaborative chalk drawing
- Picnic on the lawn
- Blowing bubbles
- Darts with a target in each yard
3:39 a.m.
Will temperature checks of employees make workplaces safe? No, not completely. They can help reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections but shouldn’t be the only safety measure employers take. But some employers are following White House guidelines to screen workers for a fever with daily temperature checks to help prevent the spread of infections.
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.