WEATHER ALERT
Unhealthy amounts of lead found in water at multiple San Antonio ISD schools
Nearly 60 drinking fountains in Bexar County schools tested over the EPA threshold on the first round of testing for lead. Of those, 49 were at SAISD schools.
Tuberculosis testing to begin at Brandeis, Clark High Schools on Monday
After a student tested positive for tuberculosis at Brandeis High School and another possible case at Clark High School, Metro Health will spearhead a testing and treatment campaign that starts on Monday but could last for months to come.
COVID-19 positivity rate decreases to 32.9% in Bexar County, Metro Health data shows
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is reporting a COVID-19 positivity rate of 32.9%, a 6.5% decrease from last week.
Community Labs will open new COVID-19 testing site with quicker results on Monday
Community Labs is opening a new COVID-19 public testing location on the cityās Southwest Side, and customers can expect a quicker turnaround time for results.
San Antonio hasnāt reached COVID-19 winter peak yet, but hope is on the horizon, infectious disease expert says
Although San Antonio is nearing the tip of its COVID-19 surge winter peak, the city hasnāt quite reached the summit yet.
COVID-19 positivity rate increases to 39.4% in Bexar County, Metro Health data shows
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is reporting a COVID-19 positivity rate of 39.4%, a 1.1% change from last weekās rate of 38.3%. This weekās risk level remains at āsevereā and is worsening, officials said.
Building COVID-19 immunity through exposure not a good idea, health officials say
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials say itās not a good idea to intentionally expose yourself to the virus amid strained hospital resources.
San Antonio may not reach COVID-19 peak until end of January, infectious disease specialist says
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the San Antonio area, the estimated date of when the city may actually reach its peak keeps getting pushed back.
COVID-19 positivity rate climbs to 38.8% in Bexar County, Metro Health reports
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is reporting a COVID-19 positivity rate of 38.3%, a 7.3% change from last weekās rate of 31%.
How long will the omicron variant spike last in San Antonio? Infectious disease specialist weighs in.
With thousands of COVID-19 cases reported in San Antonio each day, and with even more cases arising across the nation, many are asking when this surge will end and when normalcy will begin again.
Metro Health reports highest new COVID-19 case count in Bexar County since pandemic began
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is reporting its highest COVID-19 case count since the pandemic started with 7,704 new cases on Wednesday.
Nearly 900 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Bexar County, Metro Health data shows
Bexar County is once again seeing more COVID-19 hospitalizations as the number of patients at area hospitals reaches nearly 900 ā a 344% increase since Christmas Day.
Updates on COVID-19 testing delays, appointment cancellations at two local companies
As the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps through the population, testing sites have been bombarded, resulting in some issues and delays for testing companies.
4,331 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death in Bexar County, Metro Health reports
Metro Healthās COVID-19 dashboard showed an increase of 4,331 new cases on Friday, with a 7-day moving average of 3,620 cases. There was one new death reported, bringing the total to 16 deaths over the past seven days.
KSAT Q&A: Infectious disease doctor discusses COVID-19 reinfection with omicron, what to do when showing symptoms
Dr. Ruth Berggren, an infectious disease specialist with UT Health San Antonio, joined Thursdayās KSAT Q&A to discuss COVID-19 reinfection with the new variant, omicronās effect on frontline health care workers and precautions to take for those who start showing symptoms and can't find a test.
What to know about āfakeā COVID-19 testing sites in San Antonio
Local health officials are sounding the warning about āfake testing sites,ā though itās unclear how big of a problem those are at the moment.
San Antonio opens new no-cost COVID-19 testing sites amid omicron surge
The City of San Antonio will be adding three new COVID-19 testing sites through a partnership with Community Labs to address testing capacity and wait times that some have said lasted hours.
Metro Health opening three new COVID-19 testing sites amid surging demand across San Antonio
The City of San Antonio will be adding three new COVID-19 testing sites through a partnership with Community Labs to address testing capacity and wait times that some have said lasted hours.
Which tests work best? Doctors address COVID-19 testing questions amid surging omicron cases in Bexar County
Doctors weigh in on the different COVID-19 tests and their ability to detect all variants.
San Antonio COVID-19 testing centers filling up as at-home tests become scarcer amid rise in cases
A new shortage of at-home COVID-19 tests is leading to long lines at San Antonio testing centers.
San Antonio travelers having hard time finding COVID-19 testing amid holidays
The holidays are a busy time of year for traveling and having large gatherings. With the omicron and delta variant spreading, it could also be a busy season for COVID. People hoping to check if they are covid free before and after Christmas are having some trouble finding tests and testing locations.
Team creates simulation model to teach people how to perform at-home COVID-19 tests correctly
A team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has created an advanced simulation model that can be used to teach the proper skills to those performing swab tests.
San Antonio ISD offering free testing to students, staff this weekend
SAN ANTONIO ā The San Antonio Independent School District is offering free COVID-19 testing to students, staff, and household members this weekend. The testing event is happening Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Alamo Convocation Center on Tuleta Drive. The testing is in anticipation of students and staff returning from a two-week break on Tuesday. Test results will be provided within 24 hours.
COVID-19 vaccine site at Wonderland Mall to open at noon Wednesday, morning appointments delayed
Photo by Associated Press, Illustration by Henry KellerSAN ANTONIO ā (Update 5:30 a.m. Wednesday)The COVID-19 vaccine site at Wonderland Mall will open Wednesday at noon due to morning icy road conditions. PREVIOUS STORYThe city of San Antonio says COVID-19 testing sites located at the Cuellar and Ramirez community centers will be closed between Feb. 13 and Feb. 17. The Community Labs testing locations at Rackspace Technology will be open Wednesday from 12 to 4 p.m. COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the Alamodome that were scheduled for Monday, Feb. 15, have been rescheduled to Friday, Feb. 19, at the same appointment times, San Antonio officials said in a news release. To see all public testing center hours and locations, click here to visit the cityās COVID-19 website.
Diego Bernal, other Bexar County state reps, ask TEA for STAAR opt-out process
SAN ANTONIO ā Dozens of Texas state representatives, led by San Antonio Democrat Diego Bernal, asked the Texas Education Agency to allow Texas parents to opt their children out of STAAR testing this year. The letter was signed by 68 state representatives in all, including all 10 from Bexar County. AdThis AM we sent a letter to TEA requesting a formal STAAR opt-out procedure. #txlege pic.twitter.com/42Viz03oQu ā Diego Bernal (@DiegoBernalTX) February 8, 2021Speaking to KSAT, Bernal noted this yearās testing will matter less than usual. Bernal said parents could already opt-out in a fashion by keeping their children out of school.
Bexar County commissioner shares his experience with COVID-19, encourages others to stay vigilant
SAN ANTONIO ā After testing positive for COVID-19, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert is sharing his experience to warn others to remain vigilant during the COVID-19 pandemic. āI tasted it and I noticed I couldnāt taste it and I was very disappointed. āWhen I couldnāt taste my shrimp, I got some caramel popcorn and couldnāt taste that,ā Calvert said. It was just a little congestion, occasional runny nose, but it wasnāt constant.āDespite having a negative test, Calvert said he still wanted to be on the safe side. My advice is donāt ever let your guard down.āRelated: Commissioner Calvert tests positive for COVID-19 days after appearing in Commissioners Court
Long lines at San Antonio asymptomatic testing sites encouraging to city, medical workers
SAN ANTONIO ā Asymptomatic people stood six feet apart in lines wrapped around buildings to get free COVID-19 tests at the AT&T Center on Monday. The line is long, but itās been moving pretty quickly,ā said Pam Carpenter, who was also at the AT&T Center asymptomatic testing site. Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing sites in San Antonio add Saturday hoursJaphet said many people who are tested without symptoms end up having COVID-19. The AT&T Center will be the only asymptomatic testing site open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on New Yearās Eve. Find more testing information on the City of San Antonioās COVID-19 testing website.
Community Labs offering asymptomatic testing at AT&T Center
Three large scale local sites are open and free to the public for testing. It is important to mention though this community testing is just for people without symptoms. āPeople without symptoms are welcome here at the AT&T Center, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Cuellar and Ramirez Community Centers Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,ā Mary Ulman Japhet with Community Labs said. āCommunity Labsā capacity is to test about 6000 samples a day by Dec. 1. A little later this week it will be 12,000 samples a day,ā Japhet said.
Three COVID-19 tests, three results; chasing answers during a pandemic
SAN ANTONIO ā Ironically enough, I got my first COVID-19 test, hoping to get some peace of mind. But three days after I dropped my swab at the Cuellar Community Center, I had three different test results from three different tests and more questions than answers. Several different diagnostic tests are available locally -- whether āgold standardā PCR tests or the rapid antigen tests -- and like any test, none of them are perfect. The station, though requiring me to isolate and stay away from work, also asked me to get a PCR test to confirm the rapid test results. Like many people, I agonized over the smallest twinges in my body, debating if they were one of the many possible COVID-19 symptoms.
Costco now selling COVID-19 saliva test kits online
SAN ANTONIO ā If youāre a Costco member and youāre looking for a less invasive COVID-19 test than the nasal swab, youāre in luck. Costco warehouses are now selling COVID-19 saliva test kits online, according to its website. Customers have two options to choose from: the COVID-19 Saliva PCR Test Kit with Video Observation at $139.99, or just the COVID-19 Saliva PCR Test Kit, for $129.99. If you purchase the saliva test kits, they will be delivered to your home or you can register for an in-pharmacy test, according to AZOVAās website. Hereās how the process will work:Youāll need to complete a health assessment and register for a lab order for each COVID-19 Saliva PCR test kit purchased on Costco.com .
Asymptomatic patients with positive rapid COVID-19 tests to be counted in case tally
Speaking at the Thursday nightly briefing, Metro Health Chief of Epidemiology Rita Espinoza said the asymptomatic cases will now also be listed as āprobableā cases in the cityās COVID-19 statistics. Without one, though, they werenāt recorded as a case, and no contact tracing efforts were conducted. The group recommended all antigen positive lab reports be counted as āprobableā cases and investigated the same. A positive result from one of these tests is enough to consider a case āconfirmed,ā under state definitions, compared to the āprobableā label that positive antigen test results get. āThat means that you can count on a positive test being positive,ā Gude said.
Nonprofit conducting mass testing for COVID-19 at Somerset ISD
SOMERSET, Texas ā A new nonprofit is conducting mass testing for COVID-19 at the Somerset Independent School District to get students back into the classroom safely. Somerset ISD received the testing service for free as part of the nonprofitās pilot program. Last week, more than 200 Somerset High School students and staff members were tested for COVID-19. Somerset ISD Superintendent Saul Hinojosa said testing is only mandatory for students participating in extracurricular activities and are required to travel outside of the school. āItās only mandatory for any students who participate in extracurricular activities being that they travel.āHinojosa said around 1,600 of the 4,100 students enrolled at Somerset ISD are back in classrooms for in-person learning.
San Antonio area volleyball teams adapting to shorter schedules, strict guidelines
San Antonio area volleyball teams adapting to shorter schedules, strict guidelinesPublished: August 17, 2020, 12:22 amWith rapidly dwindling schedules and steadily increasing health and safety guidelines, high school volleyball teams across the greater San Antonio area have been forced to adapt quickly in order to stay prepared for the upcoming season.
Geekdom launches COVID-19 testing pilot program for its members
SAN ANTONIO ā A collaborative office space in downtown San Antonio launched a rapid COVID-19 testing pilot program for its members, which is touted to be the first of its kind in the city. The program, launched on Monday, is a free, mandatory program for the members of Geekdom, a co-working space housing local startups in the Rand Building. It makes sense for us to pilot this innovative, scientific, data-driven approach to testing and returning to work,ā said Charles Woodin, Geekdomās CEO. This is an opportunity to do what we do best: ideate, collaborate, and innovate towards a solution.āThe program is based on an employee testing program at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, which is one of the first to provide intensive, rapid testing for its employees. Geekdom plans on sharing the results of the four-week pilot with other organizations.
Guadalupe County hosting free, walk-up COVID-19 testing site July 24
(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) SCHERTZ, Texas ā Guadalupe County will host a free, walk-up COVID-19 testing site on Friday, July 24, in Schertz. The mobile site will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or when tests run out at Lehnhoff Stadium under the home bleachers, according to the Guadalupe County Fire Marshalās Office. The testing is being hosted by the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District.
Gov. Abbott announces COVID-19 testing being provided for assisted living facilities, nursing homes
AUSTIN COVID-19 point-of-care testing will be provided for assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout the state. Greg Abbott made the announcement Friday that Omnicare, a CVS Health company, is partnering with the state of Texas to provide the testing. This partnership with Omnicare and CVS Health will increase COVID-19 testing in our assisted living facilities and nursing homes and help us protect vulnerable Texans from COVID-19, Abbott said in a released statement. Testing in assisted living facilities began Thursday. State testing teams completed testing of all nursing home staff and residents in June at the direction of Abbott, according to the release.
Should you get a COVID-19 test? Here are the San Antonio Metro Health guidelines
Use this screening tool to help determine if you need a COVID-19 test. After being tested for COVID-19 Metro Health advises that a person should:Assume you are positive until you get your test results back. A close contact is anyone you spent 15 minutes or more with and were within six-feet distance. If you test positive, call people or places that you had close contact with. Related headlines:What you need to know about COVID-19 testing according to UT Health expertsMetro Health: Self-swab tests may not be as accurate as professionally conducted testsWhere you can get tested for COVID-19 in San Antonio, Bexar County
Freeman Coliseum booked for COVID-19 testing through Tuesday, San Antonio officials say
SAN ANTONIO ā The COVID-19 testing site at Freeman Coliseum is booked until Tuesday amid a rising number of novel coronavirus cases in Bexar County, officials said. San Antonio metro area named COVID-19 hotspot, CNBC reportsāAlthough many testing sites are overwhelmed with demand for COVID-19 tests, we are increasing the capacity to test and expanding access to both no-cost and paid testing sites across Bexar County,ā stated Dr. Walkup testing sites will expand six days per week instead of three and will be open Monday through Saturday. Click here for more information on testing sites. Officials said the Texas Military Department will have a testing site open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at ESD #12, Station 136, located at 11800 Highway 87 in Adkins, Texas.
At least 4 states, including Texas, combined numbers from two tests, possibly providing a misleading picture of coronavirus spread
(CNN) -- At least four states combined data from two different test results, potentially providing a misleading picture of when and where coronavirus spread as the nation eases restrictions. Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and Vermont have said they've been adding two numbers to their totals: viral test results and antibody test results. Combining the two tests' results into one total could provide an inaccurate picture of where and when the virus spread. Experts have consistently emphasized that for states to reopen safely, adequate testing and tracing is needed. Still, another group of experts has predicted spikes in coronavirus cases for the states that broadly reopened relatively early.
CVS Pharmacy opening 44 drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in Texas
SAN ANTONIO ā CVS Pharmacy will open drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at select locations throughout San Antonio and Texas. The national pharmacy chain announced that 44 testing sites will open in the state, including five in the San Antonio area, on Friday. Once they arrive, patients must stay in their cars and a CVS Pharmacy employee will hand them a self-swab test. Greg Abbott said in a news release that CVS plans on opening more than 80 drive-thru testing sites in the state by the end of the month. āTexas continues to rapidly ramp up COVID-19 testing in our communities, and these new drive-thru testing sites provided by CVS Health will further expand access to these tests throughout the state,ā Abbott said.
City announces two new walk-up COVID-19 testing sites opening Thursday
SAN ANTONIO ā The City of San Antonio on Wednesday announced two new walk-up COVID-19 testing sites that will be open May 14-16. There is no appointment required to get tested at the walk-up testing locations at Southside Lions Community Center and the Claude Black Community Center. The sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday. āThe Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Military Department has also added more mobile COVID-19 test locations for residents at no cost. Appointments for Texas Military Department location can be made at www.txcovidtest.org,ā the city said in a news release.
How City of Del Rio is responding to COVID-19
DEL RIO, Texas ā The coronavirus pandemic has impacted cities across the nation, including the city of Del Rio, located along the U.S.- Mexico border. āPeople were like, āItās not going to happen in Del Rio. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 49,000 people live in Val Verde and contrary to what some Del Rio residents believed, the virus has made an impact. āWe host a weekly local emergency planning committee community COVID-19 preparedness meeting, and we have over 100 participants on that,ā said John Sheedy, emergency management coordinator for city of Del Rio. The National Guard also set up a pop-up testing site on April 23rd at the Del Rio Civic Center.
Can anyone get tested for COVID-19 even without showing symptoms?
SAN ANTONIO ā The testing protocol in San Antonio has widened and more testing resources than ever are available in the city. Our KSAT viewers wanted to know if anyone can get COVID-19 even without showing symptoms. City of San Antonio to open 2 free, walk-up COVID-19 testing locationsThe city has been working to expand its testing capabilities, something the transition task force has said is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. You donāt need health insurance. Here is a list of COVID-19 testing drive-thru locations that require an appointment.
Your coronavirus questions answered- Mayor Ron Nirenberg answers viewer questions
If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Copyright Ā© 2020 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and pubished by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.
Mobile testing site opening in Wilson County for one day only
Floresville, TEXAS ā The Texas Department of Health and Human Services is opening another mobile testing site in Wilson County. For one day only, the site will be open on May 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Floresville High School. The site will test those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Third death confirmed at Floresville veteranās homeYou must make an appointment by registering at txcovidtest.org or calling 512-883-2400. This is the second time a mobile testing site has opened up.
DeWitt County to conduct COVID-19 testing
CUERO, Texas ā DeWitt County will offer COVID-19 testing Saturday after being selected as a mobile testing location by the Texas Department of State Health Services. According to a news release, testing will be conducted by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cuero Municipal Library. For any additional questions, contact The Texas Department of State Health Services at 512-883-2400. DeWitt County COVID-19 mobile test flyer (KSAT)COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March.
Guadalupe County to conduct COVID-19 testing
SCHERTZ, Texas ā Guadalupe County will offer COVID-19 testing Thursday after being selected as a mobile testing location by the Texas Department of State Health Services. For any additional questions, contact The Texas Department of State Health Services at 512-883-2400. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March. The first case confirmed in the U.S. was in mid-January and the first case confirmed in San Antonio was in mid-February.
The US needs to perform millions of coronavirus tests per week, experts say
CNN ā The United States will have to be able to perform millions of coronavirus tests each week before restrictions can be safely lifted, economists and public health experts say in two different plans for reopening society. One calls for 3 to 30 million tests a week, while the other says the country will need to be doing 20 million tests a day to get a handle on the pandemic. They echo what World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last month: "We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test." The country should further expand capacity to 30 million tests per week over the next six months, the proposal says. As many as 100 million tests a day could be needed, with tests administered through work or school.
Texas National Guard to deploy mobile testing sites across state, starting in Floresville, Fredericksburg
SAN ANTONIO ā More than 1,200 members of the Texas National Guard will fan out across the state and set up two dozen mobile COVID-19 testing sites, Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday. āThe State of Texas continues to expand our COVID-19 testing capacities and ensure that communities across the Lone Star State have access to the resources they need,ā said Abbott in an emailed statement. Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas National Guard will be mobilizing more than 1,200 personnel as part of COVID-19 mobile testing teams (MTT). āCOVID-19 testing is a crucial mission in our fight against this virus,ā said Maj. Gen. Tracy R. Norris, adjutant general of Texas, in an email statement. Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas National Guard will be mobilizing more than 1,200 personnel as part of COVID-19 mobile testing teams (MTT).
Federal support to end for coronavirus testing sites
(CNN) -- The Trump administration is pulling back federal support of testing sites by the end of the week, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, amid ongoing concerns over testing shortages nationwide. The so-called Community-Based Testing Sites program was intended to jumpstart initial testing capabilities to critical areas across the US, according to the agency. While some localities may need federal support, others have already moved toward managing their own sites. According to a FEMA advisory dated April 7 and obtained by CNN, federal community-based testing sites across 12 states have screened more than 64,000 individuals. Two community-based testing sites in Pennsylvania counties will end Friday, according to Nate Wardle, a spokesperson for the state's Department of Health.
Drive-through COVID-19 testing is now in San Antonio. Hereās what we know.
Drive-through COVID-19 testing is now in San Antonio. Hereās what we know. Published: March 18, 2020, 10:27 amGov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that San Antonio would be the first city in Texas to get drive-through COVID-19 testing amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The tests, however, are only for first responders and public safety and health care workers, state and city officials said.