SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s Note: Newsletter recipients can click here to access the video of the daily briefing.
The COVID-19 surge continues at a rapid rate, as 650 new cases were reported in San Antonio and Bexar County on Monday. The total number of cases is currently 10,797.
No new deaths were reported. The death toll remains at 109.
A total of 881 people are hospitalized, with 274 patients in intensive care and 154 on ventilators, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in Monday’s briefing.
The following are highlight’s from Monday’s city and county briefing:
- Nirenberg addressed the mass push alert sent to Bexar County residents on Saturday evening. He said it was sent out because the area is experiencing an exponential surge of COVID-19 cases in Bexar County.
- Nirenberg said “half of the people in the hospital with COVID-19 do not have underlying conditions,” and 1 in 5 tests in the area are resulting in positive results. He said a total of 25% of patient hospital admissions are related to the virus.
- Officials said the goal is to increase testing capacity. Dr. Anita Kurian, with the Metropolitan Health District, said only 2% of the local population has been tested for the virus. She said Monday’s testing capacity was 6,104 tests.
- Nirenberg said hospitals continue to be under high stress. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said the county is working on increasing hospital capacity. Another 74 beds were added to the local count on Monday, Wolff said.
- Wolff said the Bexar County Jail continues to see inmates come in with the virus. He said they are being isolated in other parts of the jail.
- Wolff said there’s a “dangerous weekend coming up,” referring to the Fourth of July, a time when many families come together or visit places like rivers or beaches.
- Wolff said Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday regarding high-risk businesses.