SAN ANTONIO —
These are the facts:
- There have been at least 21,069 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 543 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, according to Texas HHS.
- City leaders say there are 1,126 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:15 p.m. on April 22. A total of 39 people have died related to the coronavirus, and 350 people have recovered.
- Governor Abbott's order for a "phased in" reopening of the Texas economy is already underway. He also announced that schools will stay closed for the remainder of the school year.
- Starting Monday, April 20, most San Antonians have to wear a mask or cloth covering in public areas where social distancing is difficult or not possible. Click here for more information.
Coronavirus Q&A | SA's "Stay Home, Work Safe" order | List of companies still hiring |Shopping times for seniors | School districts offering free meals
Wednesday, April 22
9:50 p.m.
A ban on nearly all abortions in Texas during the coronavirus pandemic appears to be over, as clinics began offering the procedure again Wednesday, and state lawyers ceded in a legal filing that there is no longer any "case or controversy."
6:30 p.m.
President Trump announced he would sign an executive order on Wednesday putting a 60-day pause on issuing green cards to migrants amid the coronavirus fight. He refers to it as a move to preserve jobs for American workers in a time of economic uncertainty.
6:20 p.m.
County officials say two more sheriff's office deputies have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, as have five more inmates.
In total, 34 inmates at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center have tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, 29 deputies have tested positive.
6:15 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg says the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the metro has surpassed 1,100 and the total is now at 1,126. Meanwhile, the death toll from COVID-19-related complications remains at 39 after no new deaths were reported.
A total of 350 Bexar County residents have recovered from the virus.
4:20 p.m.
Hays County officials report three new cases of coronavirus in the county, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive cases to 143. The County says 65 of those patients have recovered and are out of quarantine. One Hays County resident has died from coronavirus.
4:09 p.m.
New Braunfels is reopening the Landa Park Golf Course on Thursday, April 23. The city said the course has "newly established protocols" that will minimize interaction between golfers and staff members.
Additionally, the city announced the Public Library will resume its Curbside Hold Pickup on Friday, April 24.
3:25 p.m.
The Big Give Emergency Relief fund reached an important milestone this week. The fund has raised more than $500,000 through donations. Back in March, the Nonprofit Council directing it's annual "Big Give SA" effort into an emergency relief fund for nonprofit groups in 15 south Texas counties due to coronavirus. The effort helps than 500 area nonprofits currently experiencing strains on their services and operations because of the pandemic.
1:29 p.m.
San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson has ordered parks to remain closed until further notice effective as of 11 p.m. Tuesday (yesterday).
8:24 a.m.
The following information has been provided by the San Antonio Fire Department regarding coronavirus cases:
Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive: 6
Officers in quarantine: 8
Civilians in quarantine: 2
Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined: 10
7:15 a.m.
During a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday, Attorney General William Barr discussed the state's "stay-at-home" restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. He claimed some orders were "disturbingly close to house arrest." Barr said he will consider legal action if governors start to civil liberty restrictions "too far."
"These are unprecedented burdens on civil liberties right now. You know, the idea that you have to stay in your house is disturbingly close to house arrest," Barr said. "I’m not saying it wasn’t justified. I’m not saying in some places it might still be justified."
6:45 a.m.
There were more than 825,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States by 4 a.m. ET Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 45,000 deaths in the U.S., with more than 75,000 total recoveries. More than 4 million tests have been conducted nationwide.
Tuesday, April 21
8:40 p.m.
President Trump announced what he described as a “temporary suspension of immigration into the United States” on Tuesday, an executive order barring those seeking permanent residency green cards but not temporary workers.
Trump said he would be placing a 60-day pause on the issuance of green cards in an effort to limit competition for jobs in a U.S. economy wrecked by the coronavirus. But he said there would be “certain exemptions” included in the order, which staff were still crafting Tuesday.
7:30 p.m.
The coronavirus pandemic has sent the price of oil into a downward spiral; with a decreased demand has also come a steep drop in prices.
Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday said local leaders were working with White House officials on a solution, but in the meantime, those who were laid off from their job in the oil industry are still looking for work.
6:50 p.m.
H-E-B says that thanks to an "improving supply chain and stronger product availability," it will temporarily expand its hours of operation at all stores to open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. The changes take effect Monday, April 27.
6:20 p.m.
Local leaders announced the members of a 19-member economic transition team that will soon begin formulating what the city's return to pre-pandemic life will look like. Mayor Ron Nirenberg says the team will work off the guidance of medical health experts.
6:13 p.m.
During the daily coronavirus press conference held by San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, an update on current coronavirus cases was provided.
Here's a look at the city/county numbers as of 6:13 p.m.
- 1,080 cases confirmed
- no new deaths to report
- 82 hospitalized
- 50 under investigation
- 41 in intensive care
- 24 on ventilators
5:58 p.m.
Two more Bexar County Sheriff's deputies have tested positive for coronavirus, BCSO announced Tuesday evening. 22 deputies are currently positive for COVID-19, while 5 deputies have fully recovered and returned to duty.
Additionally, another inmate at the Bexar County Jail tested positive, bringing the total number of inmates with coronavirus to 29.
5:36 p.m.
Guadalupe County officials have confirmed four additional coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases to 63.
5:10 p.m.
The Hays County Local Health Department has reported five new coronavirus cases bringing the total to 140, with 58 of those affected already recovered and out of quarantine.
4:54 p.m.
A nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid package flew through the Senate on Tuesday after Congress and the White House reached a deal to replenish a small business payroll fund and provided new money for hospitals and testing. It now goes to the House.
4:48 p.m.
The Mayor of Floresville has confirmed 1 new coronavirus-related death.
State officials confirmed the death of a second resident of the Frank M. Tejeda Veterans Home. This death brings their fatality total to 2.
At this time, there are 11 positive cases of coronavirus. Three staff members at the Veterans Home make up three of the 11 cases.
4:17 p.m.
The City of Lytle has issued an extension of the Disaster and Public Health Emergency Declaration through May 31.
11:20 a.m.
The San Antonio Fire Department reported one additional case of coronavirus among firefighters. Below are the total cases reported from the department:
"April 20, 2020
SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive -6
SAFD Uniformed in quarantine - 52
SAFD Civilians in quarantine-0
Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined- 52"
10:50 a.m.
The following information was released on the City of Boerne's Facebook page:
"The City of Boerne has been notified that two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 are in our community. Two employees of the Cibolo Creek Health and Rehab Center have tested positive. One of these cases is a City of Boerne resident; the other is a Bexar County resident.
All staff have recently been tested as a proactive measure implemented by the facility. The two staff members, which were not showing any symptoms, are self-quarantined and being monitored by the Department of State Health Services. No patients at the facility are showing any symptoms and all are currently being tested."
10:30 a.m.
Comal County released the following information about coronavirus cases:
"As of Tuesday morning, the Office of Public Health has received reports of the following test information:
- 594 tests conducted
- 45 positive tests
- 525 negative tests
- 24 results still pending
Of the 45 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Comal County, the location breakdown is:
- 14 from New Braunfels or the immediate area
- 8 from the Bulverde area
- 5 from eastern Comal County
- 4 from north of Canyon Lake
- 3 from south of Canyon Lake
- 3 from Garden Ridge
- 3 from the Spring Branch area
- 2 from Fair Oaks Ranch
- 2 from southwest Comal County
- 1 from central Comal County"
10 a.m.
Bexar County Commissioners are holding a meeting this morning to discuss the county's coronavirus response. You can watch the video below:
9:13 a.m.
Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive: 6
Officers in quarantine: 8
Civilians in quarantine: 3
Total SAPD personnel quarantined: 11
9:01 a.m.
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System and The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio are preparing to resume elective procedures and surgeries Wednesday.
8:20 a.m.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday agreement has been reached on “every major issue” of a nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid package for small businesses, as well as additional help for hospitals and COVID-19 virus testing.
7:15 a.m.
Amazon has started using thermal cameras in its warehouses worldwide to screen workers for coronavirus symptoms, according to reports from BBC and Reuters.
The cameras are used to help detect a fever. BBC said the new technology is a lot faster than the close-range thermometers the company previously relied on.
6 a.m.
There were more than confirmed 787,000 cases of COVID-19 in the United States by 7 a.m. ET Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 42,000 deaths in the U.S., with more than 73,000 recoveries. More than 4 million tests have been conducted nationwide.
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.