SAN ANTONIO — We're tracking the latest numbers from the coronavirus pandemic in San Antonio and across Texas. Here are the latest numbers reported by Bexar and surrounding counties:
- Bexar County: On Thursday, 860 new cases were reported, bringing the total number of cases to 178,662. Five new deaths were also reported, raising the local death toll to 2,186.
- Hays County: On Thursday, officials reported 119 new cases in the county and two additional COVID-related fatalities. As of Thursday, there are a total of 15,285 lab-confirmed local cases, while the death toll rose to 195. Officials estimate 13,090 residents have recovered, while 2,000 are still ill with the virus.
- Comal County: On Thursday, officials reported 34 new cases and two additional COVID-related fatalities. There are a total of 8,329 cases, including 4,369 confirmed and 3,944 probable cases, while 259 county residents have died due to COVID-19 complications. The county estimates 7,442 residents have recovered, while 628 are still ill with the virus.
More county case information is available through the Texas Department of Health Services COVID-19 dashboard.
How Bexar County is trending
We've tracked how many coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Bexar County from the time officials began reporting cases in March 2020. The graphic below shows the number of cases since June and charts those daily case numbers along a 7-day moving average to provide a more accurate picture of the overall coronavirus case curve in our area and the direction we're trending amid the pandemic.
On Thursday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported an additional 860 new coronavirus cases in Bexar County. In all, 178,662 Bexar County residents have been diagnosed with the virus. The county's 7-day moving average fell to 1,335, the lowest it's reached since January 3.
Nirenberg also reported five new coronavirus-related deaths, raising the county's death toll to 2,186 since the pandemic began.
The number of patients in Bexar County hospitals fell to its lowest level since December 27. 46 fewer coronavirus hospitalizations were reported today in comparison to Wednesday, bringing the day's concurrent total to 1,081, which is the first time that number has dropped below 1,100 since last year.
128 patients were admitted in the past day. The number of patients hospitalized has dropped by more than 250 patients in the last week.
374 patients are in intensive care; the last time the number of patients in the ICU due to COVID-19 was this low was January 5. 223 patients are on ventilators.
This week's local positivity rate dropped to 11.4 percent, a decrease of 4.5 percentage points over the last week. The county's risk level remains at a severe level.
Coronavirus in Texas
The total number of novel coronavirus cases in the state since the pandemic began grew by 15,283 on Thursday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. That total includes 11,999 new confirmed cases, 2,749 new probable cases, and a backlog of 535. More details can be found on this page.
Thursday's figures bring the total number of Texans diagnosed with COVID-19 to more than 2.448 million.
Meanwhile, state health authorities reported another 439 deaths from coronavirus complications in Texas. In all, 37,727 Texans have died from COVID-19.
The number of COVID-19 patients receiving treatment for their symptoms throughout Texas decreased on Thursday by 304. The concurrent total stands at 10,523., which is the lowest number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 since December 21.
The state estimates that about 2.037 million Texans have recovered, while 354,724 Texans remain ill with COVID-19.
The latest update from the Texas Education Agency showed that there have been at least 146,963 cumulative cases among staff and students across the state through January 24. That number comprises 93,542 positive student cases and 53,421 staff cases. More information can be found here.
The TEA releases new data on school cases on Fridays.
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Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea, 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.
Experts determined there was consistent evidence these conditions increase a person's risk, regardless of age:
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread...
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
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.
Find a Testing Location
City officials recommend getting a COVID-19 test if you experience fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
San Antonio operates several no-cost testing locations, including two walk-up locations open Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.:
Cuellar Community Center
5626 San Fernando St.
San Antonio, TX 78237
Ramirez Community Center
1011 Gillette Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78224
Additionally, Freeman Coliseum offers drive-through no-cost testing from Monday through Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. An appointment is required and can be made either online or by calling (833) 213-0643.
Here's a Testing Sites Locator to help you find the testing location closest to you in San Antonio.