Mayor Ron Nirenberg, City Council briefed on COVID-19 response, preparedness

SAN ANTONIO – Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Council heard a briefing about San Antonio’s response and preparedness regarding the coronavirus pandemic during a meeting on Thursday.

Nirenberg reported Wednesday evening that there are 890 COVID-19 cases in Bexar County, resulting in 37 deaths. He said 77 patients are in the hospital, 50 are in intensive care, 36 are on ventilators and 147 have recovered. Forty-one cases are under investigation.

WATCH: Nirenberg, Wolff announce new health committee to advise leaders when to reopen San Antonio, Bexar County

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said Wednesday that a new health committee will be announced Thursday. The committee will help leaders interpret data to figure out when and how to reopen the city and county, Wolff said.

COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE FROM KSAT:

• Everything we know about the coronavirus cases in Bexar County
• Track coronavirus cases by ZIP, age in San Antonio with interactive map
• Explained: San Antonio, Bexar County issue ‘Stay Home, Work Safe’ order. Here’s what that means.
• Can Texas handle a COVID-19 spike? Here’s what the data says.
• Map: Track COVID-19 cases in Texas, county-by-county updates
• SAQ: Your coronavirus questions answered
• A guide to unemployment benefits for Texans laid off during coronavirus pandemic
• Map: Where San Antonio-area students can find free school meals during closures
• 8 ways to help your fellow San Antonians during coronavirus pandemic
• ’SA Food 2 Go:’ Search nearby restaurants offering to-go, delivery around San Antonio
• Resources from World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, City of San Antonio