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May 26: As Hospitalizations Increase In San Antonio, 31% Of Staffed Beds Are Available

An alternate care facility at Freeman Coliseum.
Kathleen Creedon | Texas Public Radio
An alternate care facility at Freeman Coliseum.

This Post is Archived: Find the newest information on COVID-19 in San Antonio at the links below.

Texas Public Radio is updating the latest information on COVID-19 in the San Antonio area, along with how local businesses are adjusting,how you can help those in need and what you can do to stay entertained at home. TPR is also providing live updates on the Rio Grande Valley.

Tuesday, May 26

6:30 p.m. — 31 new cases, no new deaths

Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported 2,480 confirmed cases, up 31 from yesterday. Three of the cases are from the community, three are from congregate settings and the remaining 25 are pending determination.

There are no new deaths, and the total stands at 69.

In local hospitals, there are 87 positive cases, 44 people in intensive care and 19 people on ventilators. 80% of ventilators are available, and 31% of staffed beds are available.

Nirenberg said the increase in hospitalizations is a warning indicator of the city’s progress. Though the gradual increase is a cause for concern, Nirenberg said, the other indicators  are strong and suggest progress.

County Judge Nelson Wolff said Bexar County has the lowest number of cases and deaths of the five largest Texan counties (Bexar, Travis, Tarrant, Dallas, Harris).

Tomorrow, the city will distribute roughly 5,000 safety supply kits to small businesses at the Alamodome from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The kits include PPE for businesses with 25 or fewer employees. Businesses can still register on the city’s website.

New pop-up testing sites this week include San Antonio College on Main Avenue and Highlands High School on Elgin Avenue. Both will be open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Metro Health has launched a survey to better gauge the community climate. Director of Metro Health Dawn Emerick said the survey is part of Metro Health’s COVID-19 testing plan as a way to get more information from the community. The survey will be a three-month sample.

Nirenberg acknowledged that there will be a rise in cases as members of the community begin to engage more with one another but that the concern is whether the severity of cases increases.

“It does concern me that there is a level of activity that is unnecessary, so we want to remind folks, again, that this virus is out there.”

6:10 p.m. — Watch today's daily briefing

11:30 a.m. — Update on surrounding counties

Comal County confirmed one new case Tuesday, bringing the total 83.  There are 64 people who have recovered from the virus and there have been six deaths reported.

Atascosa County confirmed 36 cases this week, with 26 recoveries and only one death related to the virus.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 122 cases in Guadalupe County.  There are 38 cases in Wilson County and 66 cases in Medina County.

There are 24 COVID-19 cases in Kendall County. Both Uvalde and Bandera Counties report six cases each.

11 a.m. — More walk-up testing sites available

COVID-19 walk-up testing sites are offered this week at Highlands High School and the San Antonio College Welcome Center. 

The sites will be available from Thursday, May 28 to Saturday, May 30 during the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Testing is free and no appointment is necessary.

Free drive-thru testing sites are still available at Freeman Coliseum, the Texas MedClinic at Southwest Military Drive and the Walmart at 8923 West Military Drive.

Testing is by appointment. Visit covid19.SanAntonio.gov for more information.

Monday, May 25

7 p.m. — Confirmed cases almost total 2,450

There was no COVID-19 briefing on May 25 because of Memorial Day.

Metro Health has reported 2,449 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bexar County. This is an increase of seven cases from the numbers reported on Sunday. There are no new deaths, leaving the total at 69.

On Sunday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported a gradual uptick in hospitalizations.  

“We are monitoring very closely those hospital numbers to make sure that we don’t see a spike in them.  We’ve seen a little bit of an uptick over the last couple of weeks and we want to make sure they remain stable,” he said.

Of all healthcare systems in the area, 4,737 staffed beds are in-use — leaving 1,542 available.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines

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