Federal COVID-19 drive-thru testing site at Alamodome closes Tuesday, reopens Sunday
A federal COVID-19 drive-thru testing site at the Alamodome closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed through Saturday, Feb. 12, because of previously scheduled events in Lot C where the testing was taking place, a Metro Health official said.
Lopez, Hanna bands reach state competition
Marching bands from Hanna and Lopez early college high schools qualified for their respective state marching contests, with Lopez having marched Nov. 1 and Hanna to perform Monday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Lopez Lobo Marching Band marched in the state contest for the 13th time in the school’s history, performing “Opera-Toonity” under the direction of Ramon Vasquez and finishing 29th among the 33 schools competing in the 5A contest, which drew from more than 250 5A schools from across the state. The Hanna Golden Eagle Marching Band will march at 3:30 p.m. Monday, performing in the 6A state contest for the eighth consecutive year under the direction of Dennis Ewing. The Hanna band will perform “The Golden Hour,” BISD Fine Arts Director Michael Garcia said. Garcia said at the beginning of the year and with all the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic, the priority was to “keep the kids safe and give them the best experience possible.”All six BISD bands received superior ratings at the Pigskin Jubilee exhibition and advanced to Area G competition, with Lopez and Hanna qualifying for state.
myrgv.comBISD bands advance to Area G competition
Marching bands from all six Brownsville Independent School District early college high schools received Superior Division 1 ratings at the annual Pigskin Jubilee marching exhibition held Saturday at Bobby Morrow Stadium in San Benito, taking the first step toward qualifying for state competition in November at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
myrgv.comUTSA 6-0 after outgunning Western Kentucky, 52-46
Frank Harris threw for 349 yards and six touchdowns and hauled in a 23-yard touchdown pass himself as Texas-San Antonio out-lasted Western Kentucky in a game that saw the teams combine to score 98 points, earning a 52-46 victory for the Roadrunners’ school-record sixth straight win to start the season.
Texas launches online COVID-19 registration system as scheduling frustrations mount
click to enlarge Courtesy / City of San AntonioA woman receives her COVID-19 vaccination at the Alamodome. After months of complaints about the scattershot availability of COVID-19 vaccines, Texas has launched an online registration system to help residents schedule appointments for their shots. new portal operated by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services will allow people needing vaccines to sign up for email or text notifications about the incoulations' local availability. San Antonio-area health officials have opted not to set up a centralized waiting list , something done in other large Texas cities.Texas' launch of the online system comes more than three months after it began receiving vaccine shipments in mid-December . The call center will be available 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily and have translators available.
sacurrent.comCongress wants answers from NCAA after weight room disparity at women's basketball tournament
Texas Longhorns huddle during the second half against the UCLA Bruins in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on March 24, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. The National Collegiate Athletic Association's treatment of the women's basketball tournament has gained more political attention. Led by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., 36 members of Congress wrote to NCAA President Mark Emmert seeking answers for last week's weight room disparity in San Antonio, the site of the women's Division I basketball tournament. The letter calls for the NCAA to honor Title IX, which forbids gender discrimination throughout federally funded education institutions. "The players on the women's and men's teams have not been treated equally by the NCAA," the letter says.
cnbc.comTexas will make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations starting Monday
click to enlarge Courtesy / City of San AntonioA woman receives her COVID-19 vaccination at the city's Alamodome site. Texas' health department said Tuesday that all of the state's adult residents will be eligible for coronavirus vaccinations starting Monday.“We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases,” said Imelda Garcia, associate director of the Department of State Health Services, in a news release. “As eligibility opens up, we are asking providers to continue to prioritize people who are the most at risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death — such as older adults.”To that end, DSHS wants vaccination providers to give Texans 80 years old or older priority when scheduling appointments. In the meantime, provider information is available at the DSHS Vaccine Information page Alaska, Mississippi and West Virginia are the only states where all adults are currently eligible. However, others have set full openings for future dates.So far, Texas has administered more than 9.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, hitting some 6 million people with at least one dose and fully vaccinating more than 3 million.
sacurrent.comHelp feed San Antonio during the Women's Final Four
NCAA Women's Final Four fans could help the San Antonio Food Bank score big. Because of the limited capacity at the Alamodome, fans who aren't able to attend in-person, can still attend through a cutout of themselves. READ MORE: Spurs included in new Oreos celebrating 'greatest' NBA dynastiesProceeds of your fan cutout purchase will benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, the Pat Summitt Foundation and the San Antonio Food Bank. The cutouts will be on display throughout the Women’s Final Four. Go here to order a fan cutout.
mysanantonio.comFully vaccinated people can now rage indoors together without masks, CDC says
click to enlarge Courtesy Photo / City of San AntonioA worker at the city of San Antonio's Alamodome vaccination site calls on the next person in line to get their shot — the first step toward raging responsibly indoors. This story first appeared in the Detroit Metro Times, an affiliated publication. Scream, go nuts and unmask your deepest desires, because the time has come for fully vaccinated folks to be able to hold and attend indoor gatherings with fellow fully vaxxed people without masks.That's right — fully vaccinated people (meaning people who have waited two weeks after having received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson's) can now gather indoors together without wearing masks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised Monday.Fully vaccinated people can also gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks, so as long as those in the household are not considered high risk for COVID-19. And if you've been around someone who is COVID-19 positive, you no longer have to keep clear of others or get tested, as long as you have received all recommended doses and have waited two weeks following the final dose.The CDC notes that despite being fully vaccinated, people who live in a group setting — like a correctional facility or group home, and have been exposed to others who have contracted COVID-19 — are advised to still quarantine for 14 days and get tested, with or without symptoms.But don't get too excited, as the CDC also addresses everything that haschanged for those who have vaccinated. It's still recommended that fully vaxxed people maintain social distancing and mask-wearing in public and at the workplace, and should continue to avoid crowds, poorly ventilated spaces and gathering indoors with unvaccinated people from more than one other household.It's also suggested to note any possible COVID-19 symptoms regardless of vaccination status, because as the CDC states, we're still learning how effective these vaccinations are in preventing the spread of the virus and how long vaccines are effective.For more information regarding CDC recommendations, see CDC.gov To find out how and where to get inoculated in San Antonio, visit the vaccination page of the city's COVID-19 portal And remember — rage responsibly.
sacurrent.comSan Antonio's congressional delegation asks White House to set up mass vaccination center here
click to enlarge Courtesy / City of San AntonioA woman receives her COVID-19 vaccination at the city's Alamodome site. San Antonio's five-member congressional delegation is urging the Biden Administration to establish a mass vaccination center here similar to ones announced for Dallas, Houston and Austin earlier this month.In a letter pointing out that Bexar County has suffered more COVID-19 deaths per capita than any of Texas' other large population centers, the bipartisan group urged the White House open a center that can inoculate 6,000 people daily. Democrats Joaquin Castro, Henry Cuellar and Lloyd Doggett along with Republicans Tony Gonzales and Chip Roy signed the correspondence.The Biden administration promised to open 100 mass vaccination sites over 100 days to get shots into the arms of underserved community members. So far, however, it's announced no plans for one in San Antonio.The Federal Emergency Management Agency could operate the Alamo City location in partnership with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and local officials, the lawmakers wrote.“In addition to being the third most populous area in the state, Bexar County is ranked first in the Centers for Disease Control’s Social Vulnerability Index," the letter states. "This index measures a community’s need for support to prepare and respond to events such as the current pandemic and considers factors such as poverty, access to transportation, housing and healthcare."
sacurrent.comFirst cases of more contagious U.K. variant of COVID-19 confirmed in San Antonio area
click to enlarge Courtesy / City of San AntonioA woman receives her COVID-19 vaccination at the Alamodome. Local health officials have identified the first two known cases of the more contagious U.K. variant of COVID-19 among Bexar County residents.The two cases, detected by genetic sequencing, are still under investigation by San Antonio Metro Health, which pledged to share more information when it's available.During Tuesday evening's pandemic briefing, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said the strain has likely been in the area for a while. He urged residents to continue practicing social distancing, wearing masks and washing their hands.“We do need to be careful,” Wolff said. “It’s out there and it spreads very, very, very quickly.”Health officials have found 40 cases of the U.K. variant in Texas since January. The first was detected in Houston and other cases have shown up in Dallas and Austin.The U.K. strain doesn't appear to cause more serious illness, according to scientists.
sacurrent.comU.S. Army 'impressed' by San Antonio's COVID-19 vaccine rollout at Alamodome
Courtesy, Metro HealthU.S. Army officials toured the Alamodome's vaccination site this week and left feeling "impressed" by the operation, according to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health DistrictAccording to Metro Health spokeswoman Michelle Vigil, the headquarters for the Army's vaccination efforts are at Ft. Sam Houston. Officials where given a detailed tour of the vaccine operations at the city-run mega hub, which launched earlier this January.
mysanantonio.comAfter hitting record earlier this month, COVID-19 hospitalizations are declining in San Antonio
click to enlarge City of San AntonioWorkers at the city's Alamodome vaccination site administer COVID-19 shots. The number of San Antonians in the hospital to treat COVID-19 has dropped by 244 since the city tallied a record high 10 days ago.As of Thursday, 1,276 people were in Bexar County hospitals to treat COVID-19 infections, 387 of those in intensive care and 249 on ventilators. That's down from the January 18 peak of 1,520.Local officials also reported 1,752 new COVID-19 cases Thursday and 20 new deaths over the past 14 days. The San Antonio area surpassed 2,000 coronavirus deaths on Wednesday with 500 of those fatalities reported since Jan. 1.Local health officials attributed the spike in hospitalizations and mounting death toll to gatherings over the holidays.The local falloff in hospitalizations mirrors a state trend. On Thursday, 12,380 patients were hospitalized in Texas, down from a mid-January high.
sacurrent.comYou got your first COVID-19 vaccine dose at city-run hub, now what?
In Bexar County, 55,947 people of the area's 1.5 million people have received the first of two doses in the COVID-19 vaccination process. Prior to Wednesday, the two city-run options had differing systems of signing patients up for their second round of the COVID-19 vaccine. Metro Health provided an update on Wednesday on how residents must go about getting their second dose. Officials said that the process is now more streamlined as patients are now scheduling onsite after getting their first dose. Daniel Calderon, a spokesperson for the WellMed vaccine rollout, said there should be "no confusion" in patients getting registered for their second visit to those sites.
mysanantonio.comSan Antonio Metro Health says there will not be a waiting list for COVID-19 vaccinations
Jammed phone lines and "registration full" notices on the COVID-19 vaccination registration site for city-run hubs have some residents asking if a waiting list would help, but Metro Health says there are no plans to implement one. A representative for Metro Health says the department will not be offering a wait list at this time. Rather than opening a floodgate by making the entire week of appointments available, registration will be on a rolling basis with 2,000 slots opening daily. "Other large cities have tried (the waiting list) approach and have not been successful." Appointment registration for the Alamodome vaccination site is available online here.
mysanantonio.comAlamodome receives 9,000 more COVID-19 doses, here's how to sign up
San Antonians can register for COVID-19 vaccine appointments next week at the Alamodome, because the City just received more of the vaccine. The San Antonio Metro Health District has received another 9,000-dose shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and will begin booking the new appointments Friday, according to a release from the city. This is in addition to the new doses WellMed has also received. The Alamodome appointments will be made on a rolling basis for 2,000 people a day. RELATED: I moved to San Antonio during the pandemic.
mysanantonio.comSan Antonio's Covid-19 mass vaccine hubs are open. You may have to wait for your first dose.
RELATED: San Antonio reacts to COVID-19 vaccines arrivalThose interested in registering for shots at the WellMed Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Center or the Alicia Treviño López Senior Community Center can call 833-968-1745. University Health reports that all vaccines available at Wonderland of the Americas have also been spoken for. Vaccines may still be available from providers throughout San Antonio according to a map available at the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The emergency management site warns users to call providers, because the map might not have the most up-to-date information. For now vaccines are still going to (1A and 1B groups) like health care workers and those labeled high risk for COVID-19 complications.
mysanantonio.comAlamodome transforms into no-cost mass COVID vaccine site starting Monday, city says
Update:The 9,000 slots open to the public were filled within six minutes of the registration opening, according to a press release from the City of San Antonio. Previous Story:Starting Monday, the Alamodome will become a no-cost mass COVID-19 vaccine site. At this time, per state guidelines only allows for people who fall under Phases 1A and 1B to receive the vaccine at the Alamodome, the City of San Antonio officials announced in a press release Friday. "This site will accelerate the vaccination process and help us provide protection for San Antonio residents as soon as possible." The Alamodome vaccine clinic will be available Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
mysanantonio.comSan Antonio's Alamodome will become free COVID-19 vaccination site starting next week
click to enlarge U.S. Secretary of DefenseA medical professional holds a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine. The city of San Antonio will host a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Alamodome beginning Monday, January 11.The site will offer both drive-thru and in-person vaccinations, inoculating 1,500 people daily, according to a statement from the city.Vaccines will only be available to Phase 1A populations, which include healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities, and to Phase 1B populations, which include people over 65 or those who have a chronic medical condition that puts them at elevated risk.“The vaccination site at the Alamodome is an important step forward in our fight to eradicate the pandemic," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement. "This site will accelerate the vaccination process and help us provide protection for San Antonio residents as soon as possible.”Appointments are required. They are available by visiting covid19.sanantonio.gov/vaccine or by calling 311 and selecting option 8.
sacurrent.comMonster Jam truck rally at Alamodome postponed until July
click to enlarge Joshua LinaresAmid a record-shattering rise in COVID-19 cases in San Antonio, a planned monster truck event at the Alamodome has been postponed until July, MySA reports Monster Jam, which was slated to take place on January 23-24, will now be held on July 3-4. Tickets purchased for January 23 will be honored on July 3, and those purchased for January 24 will be honored on July 4.In an announcement provided to the news site, organizers Feld Entertainment stated that the city made the decision "due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and in accordance with local government restrictions on large gatherings. "Fans seeking ticket refunds for the event have been directed to do so at the point of purchase.
sacurrent.comCity provides at least 6,400 small businesses, nonprofits with PPE, safety supplies
SAN ANTONIO The city provided bundles of face coverings, hand sanitizer and thermometers to at least 6,400 businesses and nonprofits in a drive-thru event at the Alamodome on Wednesday. The $1.9 million worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety supplies were bought with CARES Act funds and distributed to businesses and nonprofits with 25 or fewer employees. About 5,200 organizations registered ahead of time, and the city allowed others to register at the site. Even as more businesses are allowed to reopen, the supplies that can help them do so safely can be hard to find en masse, said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. Supply Pickup DayIts a commitment to the safety of their employees, to the general public, and, of course, to their customers, Nirenberg said.
'We are in a shortage': South Texas Blood and Tissue Center in critical need of donations
'We are in a shortage': South Texas Blood and Tissue Center in critical need of donationsVictor Castillo, 32, sets up Michelle Martinez, 36, who is donating blood Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The city and South Texas Blood and Tissue Center are holding a three-day blood drive at the Alamodome from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 21-23. less Victor Castillo, 32, sets up Michelle Martinez, 36, who is donating blood Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The city and South Texas Blood and Tissue Center are holding a three-day blood drive at the Alamodome from 9 ... more Photo: Jerry Lara /Staff Photographer Photo: Jerry Lara /Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 'We are in a shortage': South Texas Blood and Tissue Center in critical need of donations 1 / 1 Back to GalleryThe South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is running low on its blood supply, a cause for concern now that non-emergency surgeries are happening again, the center's chief operating officer said Sunday during the City of San Antonio's COVID-19 briefing. The center estimates it needs 500 donors a day to keep up with the current demand for South Texas patients. I encourage everyone to support our neighbors by donating during the Alamodome blood drive.
mysanantonio.comBlood Donations Urged at 3-Day Drive to Refill San Antonio Stocks
Joining local officials at a daily briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, Elizabeth Waltman, South Texas Blood and Tissue Centers chief operating officer, said blood stocks have dwindled after nonessential surgeries resumed this month. To address the shortage, Waltman said the center is holding a three-day blood drive at the Alamodome. You can donate blood, you can save a life, you can help make food available for families that are struggling, she said. The virus also has led to the cancellation of 120 blood summer drive events, she said. Waltman was joined at the briefing by Paul Balsadua, a San Antonio resident who advocates for plasma donation after his recovery from COVID-19.
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