Local officials hope vaccineโs FDA approval will cut down vaccine hesitancy
With one of the three COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States having received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, local officials are hoping to see some of the remaining vaccine hesitancy in the community melt away.
Leading SA: UT Health SA infectious disease expert weighs in on J&J vaccine complications
COVID-19 vaccines are becoming more accessible across San Antonio. However, in the aftermath of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause, Dr. Jan Patterson, an infectious disease specialist with UT Health San Antonio joined Leading SA to discuss the issue.
COVID-19 numbers trending in the right direction, but more work still needed, infectious disease specialist says
SAN ANTONIO The COVID-19 numbers are trending in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go before the virus is under control in San Antonio, according to a San Antonio infectious disease specialist. Its going to take longer for the numbers to come down than it did for them to go up. But were certainly headed in the right direction, said Dr. Jan Patterson with UT Health San Antonio. KSAT Explains: Search for COVID-19 vaccineThe positivity rate, which is the percentage of people who test positive, is still too high. The current positivity rate is at 15%.
Health experts: Wait 8 days after COVID-19 exposure to get tested if asymptomatic
SAN ANTONIO Health experts in San Antonio are advising people to wait for more than a week to get tested for COVID-19 if they believe they were exposed to the virus but are not feeling the effects. UT Health San Antonio states if people have been exposed, but arent showing symptoms, then they should quarantine immediately but wait eight days for a test. UT Health San Antonio experts offer new COVID-19 testing adviceBefore those eight days, theres a 60-70% chance of a negative result, she said. UT Health officials do not advise people to go to an emergency room for a COVID-19 test. San Antonio doctor, teacher, psychologist weigh in
UT Health San Antonio experts offer new COVID-19 testing advice
SAN ANTONIO A remix of rules for testing for COVID-19 is underway to clarify what is known about the disease and account for the massive surge of cases in San Antonio. In March, only those with symptoms like fever and cough were allowed COVID-19 testing at public sites, and UT Health San Antonio says the surge has forced those sites to return to a more-disciplined test approach. UT Health San Antonio is trying to get the word out that contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 is no longer considered an automatic exposure. Metro Health: City expanding COVID-19 testing capabilities with mouth swab testsAutomatic exposure is now defined as being within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for more than 15 minutes of continual contact or conversation. To view the new UT Health San Antonio COVID-19 testing video, click here.
From voting to grocery shopping: The risk level associated with 6 activities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Its probably low to moderate risk if the voter is wearing a mask and if everyone else is wearing a mask, said Patterson. Health experts and elections administrators also recommend voting early on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, days when the polls usually see less traffic. Grocery ShoppingGrocery shopping can be relatively safe as long as people are wearing face coverings and staying socially distant when possible. As soon as you consume alcohol, your inhibitions are lowered and youre going to be less likely to observe all of these measures, said Berggren. This weeks episode of KSAT Explains will focus on the battle brewing across Texas over the proposed expansion of mail-in voting.