No new COVID deaths in Bexar County
Metro Health officials reported no new coronavirus deaths Wednesday, as the overall number of cases and deaths continue a steady, downward trend in San Antonio.
Therewere155 newcoronavirus cases, a slight uptick from the weekend — which officials said could be due to the Labor Day holiday — but still a far cry from the summer surge that saw more than 1,000 cases on some days.
“It’s too early to break out the champagne, but you might take a little sip or two,” Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said at the Wednesday briefing, a turquoise kerchief he uses as a mask around his neck. “One day doesn’t cure everything but the numbers are certainly looking good.”
Officials also reported 30 more people admitted to local hospitals to get treated for COVID-19. Hospitals are caring for 228 COVID-19 patients, including 87 in intensive care and 41on ventilators.
The latestnumbers bring the total number of San Antonio cases up to 53,794, with 1,068 coronavirus-related deaths. The number of people who test positive has edged up slightly to 6.5 percent, from 6 percent last week. Officials had hoped to lower the rate to 5 percent before schools reopened earlier this month.
To assist students, Nirenberg said the Parks and Recreation Department will open virtual learning hubs with free internet access and lunches to students over 6 years old at eight community centers. The hubs will be open Monday to Friday every week starting Oct. 5.
Nirenberg said the city’s public and private labs can
test up to 7,000 people a day for coronavirus, but that the daily testing demand has not reached that level.
The city opened playgrounds, sports fields and other outdoor recreational spaces Monday. That same day, officials announced San Antonio had moved to the green “safe” zone in its risk-measurement meter, after more than a month of a decline in new cases and deaths.
Last week Gov. Greg Abbott authorized restaurants and retail stores to open to 75 percent occupancy for most counties in the state.
Public libraries, swimming pools and other city facilities are expected to open in the coming weeks.
But officials are still urging residents to maintain caution as they brace for the impact of the oncoming flu season. The Freeman Coliseum will have a drivethrough flu shot event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The shots will be free for those without insurance.
“The flu shot is important every year, but in this year we’re particularly concerned about it because we don’t want both viruses circulating in our population,” said Dr. Sandra Guerra, assistantmetro Health medical director.
But the flu season is expected to be milder than previous years, Guerra said, because all the precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus — physical distancing, masks and limited gatherings — also help prevent the spread of the flu.