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Coronavirus SA Timeline: May 6

Facts not fear: KENS 5 is tracking the latest headlines and updates about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

SAN ANTONIO —

These are the facts:

  • There have been at least 34,422 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 948 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 12:15 p.m. on May 6, according to Texas HHS.
  • City leaders say there are 1,761 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:13 p.m. on May 6. A total of 53 people have died related to the coronavirus.
  • Governor Abbott's order for a "phased in" reopening of the Texas economy got underway Friday, May 1, and further phases are expected. You can find more information about that here.
  • Per city orders, most San Antonians need to wear a mask or cloth covering in public areas where social distancing is difficult or not possible. Click here for more information.

Wednesday, May 6

7:36 p.m.

By the numbers: Bexar County now has 1,761 total coronavirus cases; 47% of the county residents who've contracted the virus have since recovered.

6:15 p.m.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported that an additional 84 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County on May 6, bringing the total to 1,761. Meanwhile, one new death from COVID-19 complications was reported, bringing the local death toll to 53. In all, 834 county residents have recovered from the virus.

5:22 p.m.

Three more coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Guadalupe County, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 90 as of Wednesday evening.

5:10 p.m.

There are 12 new cases of coronavirus in Hays County, officials announced Wednesday evening. The county now has 77 active cases, while 117 residents have recovered from the virus.

4:58 p.m.

Two walk-up COVID-19 test sites will open from May 7 through May 9 at the Las Palmas Library parking lot and Woodlawn Lake Park, the city announced Wednesday. The two locations will not require an appointment.

Additionally, more mobile coronavirus test collection locations are now available to San Antonio residents at no cost.

4:05 p.m. 

Gold's Gym has announced that it will be reopening its San Antonio gym locations on Monday, May 18 at 5 a.m. 

3:49 p.m.

Traders Village will be opening this weekend after the state confirmed the business should be allowed to operate under Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order reopening malls.

The outdoor market said they have plans in place to maintain social distancing and occupancy restrictions.

2:45 p.m.

Texas State Parks will begin allowing overnight camping on a limited basis starting May 18. Overnight camping will only be allowed for people with existing reservations. No new reservations can be made as of now, Texas State Parks's website says.

Here's a list of guidelines the parks have set in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.

1:24 p.m. 

Officials with the San Antonio Fire Department have provided an update on the number of coronavirus-related cases within the agency: 

  • SAFD Uniformed COVID-19 positive -6
  • SAFD Uniformed in quarantine - 7
  • SAFD Civilians in quarantine-0
  • Total SAFD Personnel Quarantined- 7

    Service delivery to the citizens of the City of San Antonio has not been impacted. 

10:56 a.m.

Officials with the Kerr County Sheriff's Office have confirmed that one of the agency's deputies has tested positive for coronavirus. This marks the 6th confirmed coronavirus case.

9:58 a.m. 

Officials in Comal County have confirmed two more cases of coronavirus for a total of 61. 

9:45 a.m.

The Witte Museum says it will reopen Saturday, May 30 after being closed due to the coronavirus. The museum has a reopening task force to ensure that the experience is safe for visitors.

8:12 a.m.

The San Antonio Police Department has reported its latest coronavirus numbers within the department:

Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive: 6

Officers in quarantine: 2

Civilians in quarantine: 5

Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined: 7

6:45 a.m.

Tyson Foods will begin limited operation Thursday of its huge pork processing plant in Waterloo, more than two weeks after closing the facility because of a coronavirus outbreak among workers, the company announced Tuesday. 

6:00 a.m.

There have been 1.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 6:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 70,000 deaths and nearly 190,000 people recovered.

5:45 a.m.

Making himself Exhibit A, President Donald Trump visited an Arizona face mask factory Tuesday, using the trip to demonstrate his determination to see the country reopen even as the coronavirus remains a dire threat. At the same time, the White House said it hopes to wind down its virus task force in the coming month as Trump's focus shifts.

Tuesday, May 5

6:45 p.m.

State education leaders have announced four recommendations they are providing to Texas high schools as the traditional time for graduations nears. The state is allowing in-person ceremonies to take place in some rural counties in May, so long as social distancing is observed, while also suggesting that districts consider hybrid ceremonies, vehicle ceremonies, and totally virtual ceremonies. 

6:20 p.m.

At the daily briefing, Mayor Nirenberg said two staff members and one patient at the San Antonio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, on the northwest side, have tested positive for the virus. 

Meanwhile, the latest update from county authorities shows a total of 300 Bexar County jail inmates have now been diagnosed with COVID-19. Additionally, 61 deputies have been diagnosed. 

6:13 p.m.

Mayor Nirenberg announced 1,677 total cases of coronavirus in Bexar County Tuesday. The mayor reported an additional four deaths Tuesday evening, bringing the county's total deaths to 52. 802 people have recovered from COVID-19.

4:40 p.m.

Officials in Kerrville are reminding residents that while parks and trails are open, areas where there tend to be a high number of people who gather are "closed out of an abundance of caution." Among those areas are drinking fountains, playgrounds, volleyball courts, basketball courts, skate parks, pavilions and clusters of picnic tables.

The city also recommends that those going to parks carry hand sanitizer and observe social distancing whenever and wherever possible. 

3:45 p.m.

Governor Greg Abbott is allowing salons to reopen on May 8. Only one customer per stylist will be allowed. People waiting will have to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others. He also said stylists should be wearing a mask at all times.

As for gyms, Abbott said they may reopen on May 18, but showers and locker rooms must remain closed. All equipment must be sanitized in between uses. He added that other non-essential businesses will be allowed to reopen on May 18 as well, but that it will take time and they will have to operate at a 25% capacity with a "staggered workforce" so not all employees will be back right away.

Credit: TEGNA

Businesses within office buildings will also be allowed to reopen on May 18. The maximum limit is no more than 5 employees or 25% of the staff, while still maintaining social distancing.

2:38 p.m.

Take the New York metropolitan area’s progress against the coronavirus out of the equation and the numbers show the rest of the U.S. is moving in the wrong direction, with the infection rate rising even as states move to lift their lockdowns, an Associated Press analysis found Tuesday.

1:43 p.m.

Sheriff Javier Salazar held a press conference to provide more information on a 66-year-old inmate at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center who died from what authorities believe to have been coronavirus complications after being removed from life support.

He also shared more information regarding deputy Timothy De La Fuente, who passed away from natural causes due to coronavirus. Sheriff Salazar said his passing his considered an "on-duty death" and he will be laid to rest with full honors.

Sheriff Salazar said he has not been tested and reported the latest numbers: 60 detention deputies and 294 inmates have tested positive for coronavirus. One of those deputies is currently hospitalized in the ICU but is in stable condition.

8:55 a.m.

The San Antonio Police Department has reported its latest coronavirus numbers within the department:

Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive: 6

Officers in quarantine: 2

Civilians in quarantine: 4

Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined: 6

3:13 a.m.

There have been 1.18 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been 69,000 deaths and more than 187,000 people recovered.

Worldwide, there have been 3.61 million confirmed cases with 252,000 deaths and 1.1 million recovered.

FOR PREVIOUS UPDATES, CLICK HERE 

RELATED: SA Economic Transition Team presents recommendations to metro leaders, with focus on uniting businesses and aiding smaller stores

RELATED: US passes 1.2 million COVID-19 cases, 70,000 deaths

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.

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