80 new cases but three deaths

Mayor says San Antonians need to consider risks before going out in public

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 80 new coronavirus cases Saturday — 81 fewer than the day previously — bringing the area’s seven-day average to 147 cases.

Metro Health also reported three new deaths, including a Hispanic man in his 70s, and a Hispanic woman and a white man in their 80s. Each had underlying health conditions.

Since the pandemic started in March, 1,174 residents have died from the virus.

San Antonio hospitals were caring for 190 patients with coronavirus Saturday — three fewer than Friday — with 26 of those being newadmissions. Of thosepatients, 83 are in intensive care and 38 are using ventilators to breathe.

“Despite the encouraging trends, it’s clear thatCOVID-19 isn’t going to go away anytime soon,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Saturday. “Stay vigilant this weekend, San Antonio. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and please consider the risks before youtravel to a public space.”

In October so far, San Antonio has seen 1,381 new cases, according to daily reports from Metro Health. By comparison, the first 10 days of September saw 1,515 new cases of coronavirus.

The hospitals also were treating more patients infected with the virus.

On Sept. 10, there were 284 coronavirus patients in San Antonio hospitals, with128 inintensive care and 80 using ventilators.

Get tested

The city has expanded its hours for testing those without symptoms as it seeks to better track the spread of the virus.

Free testing for asymptomatic individuals will be available at two locations: Cuellar Community Center at 5626 San Fernando Street and Ramirez Community Center at 1011 Gillette Blvd. Both sites are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

People with symptoms also can get tested at those sites during those times.

An appointment is not required for either location.

Testing for symptomatic individuals is also available at no cost at the Freeman Coliseum every day from9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required to get tested there.

To schedule an appointment, call 833-213-0643.

Possible symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle and body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

After being tested for COVID-19, patients should assume they are positive until they get their test results back and as a precaution stay at home in a room away from other people.

People who test positive should call people they had close contact with — that's defined as having spent at least 15 minutes with a person within six feet — two days before showing symptoms, the city advises, as well as any places they might have visited during those two days.