SAN ANTONIO —
These are the facts:
- There have been at least 25,297 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 663 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. on April 28, according to Texas HHS.
- City leaders say there are 1,307 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:15 p.m. on April 28. A total of 44 people have died related to the coronavirus, and 574 people have fully recovered.
- Governor Abbott's order for a "phased in" reopening of the Texas economy is already underway. You can find more information about that here. He also announced that schools will stay closed for the remainder of the school year.
- Per city orders, most San Antonians now have to wear a mask or cloth covering in public areas where social distancing is difficult or not possible. Click here for more information.
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Tuesday, April 28
9:30 p.m.
In their nightly update, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office says two more deputies and two more jail inmates have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
In total, 64 inmates have tested positive, while 36 county deputies have been diagnosed.
9:15 p.m.
H-E-B announces it is removing or amending previously-mandated buying limits on some products, including removing them from toilet paper and food entirely.
6:15 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 32 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,307. No new deaths from COVID-19 complications were reported, so the local death toll stands at 44. In all, 574 county residents have recovered from the virus, which is about 44 percent of all cases.
Nirenberg also touted the new city website showing coronavirus data visualizations. It is located at https://covid19.sanantonio.gov.
5 p.m.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order classifying the meat-production industry as critical national infrastructure to keep plants open amid concerns about a potential looming shortage.
2:15 p.m.
City leaders have released a plan detailing efforts to reopen San Antonio during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 55-page document details the guidelines for reopening, anticipated phases and the strategies in place. The document can be found here.
11:00 a.m.
The San Antonio Fire Department released the following information about coronavirus cases Tuesday:
SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive -6
SAFD Uniformed in quarantine - 37
SAFD Civilians in quarantine-0
Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined- 37
9:06 a.m.
The San Antonio Police Department released the following information about coronavirus cases within the department:
Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive: 6
Officers in quarantine: 2
Civilians in quarantine: 3
Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined: 5
6:30 a.m.
As companies start planning their reopenings, business groups are pushing Congress to limit liability from potential lawsuits filed by workers and customers infected by the coronavirus.
They appear to have the White House's ear. President Donald Trump has floated shielding businesses from lawsuits. His top economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on CNBC last week that businesses shouldn't be held liable to trial lawyers “putting on false lawsuits that will probably be thrown out of court."
Monday, April 27
6:30 p.m.
The governor's plan encourages people to wear masks, but does not require it. No jurisdiction can impose penalty or fine for not wearing one and the governor's executive order supersedes local orders.
County Judge Nelson Wolff says that overall the governor is making the right decisions, but he was disappointed to hear that a mask requirement like the one in Bexar County was not part of the plan.
6:15 p.m.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 21 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on Monday, bringing the total to 1,275. Meanwhile, one new death from COVID-19 complications was reported, bringing the local death toll to 44. In all, about 42 percent of county residents who tested positive for coronavirus have recovered.
Nirenberg also said that he hopes to establish a new version of the city and county's "Stay Home, Work Safe" order that will comply with the governor's state order.
5:50 p.m.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office reports that there are now 62 inmates and 34 deputies with positive coronavirus tests.
2:45 p.m.
Gov. Greg Abbott discussed opening the state of Texas gradually based on the rate of spread of COVID-19 on Monday. His executive statewide essential-services-only order that is set to expire on April 30 will not be renewed.
He issued an executive order saying that restaurants, retail stores, theaters, and malls can open on May 1 at 25 percent occupancy as 'Phase One". He emphasized that the order allows businesses to reopen but does not require them to reopen.
1:05 p.m.
The San Antonio Police Department released the following information about coronavirus cases within the department:
"April 27th, 2020
Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive -6
Officers in quarantine - 2
Civilians in quarantine- 4
Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined- 6"
10:45 a.m.
The San Antonio Fire Department released the following information about coronavirus cases on Monday. There were no additional positive cases but the amount of SAFD personnel in quarantine dropped from Friday.
"April 27, 2020
SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive -6
SAFD Uniformed in quarantine - 38
SAFD Civilians in quarantine-0
Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined- 38"
8 a.m.
There were more than 965,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States around 8:20 a.m. Eastern on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 54,000 deaths in the U.S. and more than 207,000 deaths worldwide.
7:45 a.m.
Tyson Foods is warning that "millions of pounds of meat will disappear from the supply chain."
In an ad published in The Washington Post, the New York Times and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, John H. Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods' executive board, said "the food supply chain is breaking."
RELATED: Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff says it was a mistake for Governor Abbott to not require masks
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- The CDC recommends wearing a mask or cloth face covering if you have to be out due to an essential service or essential activity such as going to the grocery store.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.