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Coronavirus Tracker: Bexar Co. hospitalizations drop to lowest levels since mid-June

Facts, not fear: KENS 5 is tracking the latest numbers from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in San Antonio and across Texas.

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: 170 new cases were reported Thursday, bringing the total number of cases for the county to 59,323. There were three new deaths reported, bringing the county's death toll to 1,171.
  • Comal County: The county reported five additional cases on Thursday and no additional deaths. There have been a total of 3,534 cases of COVID-19 in the county – including 2,766 confirmed cases – while 116 county residents have died. County officials say there are 95 active coronavirus cases, and 3,323 residents are considered recovered.
  • Hays County: Officials in Hays County on Thursday reported 10 new cases in the county and no additional virus-related deaths. As of Thursday, there are a total of 6,018 lab-confirmed cases in the county (1,004 of which are active) while the death toll remains at 55. 4,959 residents have recovered from the virus.

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 announced 170 additional coronavirus cases in Bexar County, bringing the total number of local diagnoses to 59,323. He also reported three more virus-related deaths; in all, 1,171 county residents have died from coronavirus complications. 

Credit: KENS

Hospitalizations dropped under 200 for the county, to 185. The last time the number of Bexar County residents receiving treatment for COVID-19 symptoms was that low was June 14. 

The number of patients on ventilators (36) and in ICU (80) are also down slightly from Wednesday. 

Credit: KENS

Coronavirus in Texas 

The number of Texans who have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began grew by 4,238 cases on Thursday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

3,786 of those are new diagnoses over the last 24 hours, while the other 452 cases stem from a number of backlogs in several counties and groups of previously unreported cases in some areas. More details can be found at the top of this page.

In total, 781,794 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Texas.

Credit: KENS

State health authorities, meanwhile, reported an additional 104 virus-related deaths on Wednesday. At least 16,334 Texans have passed away from COVID-19 complications. 

Meanwhile, more Texans were hospitalized for coronavirus symptoms on Thursday. There were 37 more Texans receiving treatment for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, for a total of 3,556 currently hospitalized; it's been nearly a month since the figure was that high. 

The state estimates that 695,194 Texans have recovered, while 71,878 Texans remain ill with COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Texas Education Agency updated its online coronavirus database to show that there have been 12,847 cumulative cases among staff and students across the state as of Oct. 4. More information can be found here.

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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.

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.

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