City of San Antonio, Bexar County leaders provide COVID-19 winter surge update
San Antonio and Bexar County officials came together Friday afternoon to update the public about the current status of COVID-19 in our area amid a continuous surge of cases and a third consecutive week at the โsevereโ risk level.
Wait caused by winter storm in San Antonio puts dialysis patients at risk
SAN ANTONIO โ Last weekโs winter storm in San Antonio forced dialysis patients to play a dangerous waiting game, putting them at risk. Not only were many unable to travel roads coated by ice, but dialysis centers had to contend with power issues and low water pressure. However, STRAC, the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, reports 63 of 70 dialysis centers in its region, including San Antonio, are now open as of Friday. Epley said the dialysis centers overall have been doing a good job calling their patients to set up appointments as soon as possible. The goal was to provide enough care that they survive,โ by reducing the toxins, fluids and potassium in the body.โ
Adding beds in hospital cafeteria better than creating makeshift hospital, STRAC director says
SAN ANTONIO San Antonio hospitals are doing everything they can to make more beds available to patients who need them. On Monday, the amount of available staffed hospital beds, which is also known as hospital capacity, was listed at 12%. Epley said its better for hospitals to build capacity within their own walls rather than create makeshift hospitals. For example, instead of using Freeman Coliseum as an overflow hospital, hospitals would be better off adding beds to their cafeterias. If hospitals reach their limit, it doesnt impact only COVID-19 patients.