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Coronavirus SA Timeline: May 5

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 33,369 cases of coronavirus in Texas and 906 reported deaths from COVID-19 as of 12:15 p.m. on May 5, according to Texas HHS.
  • City leaders say there are 1,677 confirmed positive cases in San Antonio as of 6:13 p.m. on May 5. A total of 52 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.

Tuesday, May 5

9:30 p.m.

Governor Greg Abbott says he believes Texas's hospital systems are equipped to handle a surge in cases that the state is expecting in the coming days as businesses have reopened. 

7:30 p.m.

Some Texas doctors say they are questioning the accuracy of coronavirus swab tests, with one saying the result was inaccurate in a third of test-takers.

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.

Monday, May 4

10:06 p.m.

Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that an inmate who tested positive for COVID-19, was placed on a ventilator and subsequently removed from life support by his family today, has now died.

8:00 p.m.

At Monday evening's briefing, Metro Health Director Dawn Emerick says the city has flattened the curve – that is, stalled the rise of new diagnoses – as residents have largely adhered to social distancing and mask-wearing protocols. Emerick also stressed that the virus remains a threat in the community.

7:15 p.m.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say there has been one more positive case of the virus among detainees at a processing center in Pearsall, bringing the total there to seven. In all, 121 detainees at ICE facilities in Texas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. 

6:13 p.m.

Mayor Nirenberg announced 39 additional cases of coronavirus in Bexar County Monday, bringing the county's number of confirmed cases to 1,652. 34 of the 39 new cases were reported from the Bexar County Jail. 848 people are still fighting the virus, while 48 residents have died from coronavirus in the San Antonio area.

5:50 p.m.

Hays County officials reported nine new cases of coronavirus in the area Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county to 176. 110 of those who have contracted the virus have recovered.

5:00 p.m.

In an interview with ESPN's "The Undefeated," Spurs legend Tony Parker revealed his father-in-law and sister-in-law are healthy again after having contracted the virus in France. He said his own family came back negative once they underwent testing. 

4 p.m.

Stock markets end the day having scratched out minor gains on Wall Street, in the process avoiding what would have been its first three-day losing streak for the in weeks. Rallies by major tech companies helped lead the way on Monday. 

3:30 p.m.

College Board announces details on how high schoolers will take AP tests as the end of the spring semester looms. 

2:30 p.m.

The Mayor of Floresville's office confirmed a total of four coronavirus-related deaths at the Frank M. Tejeda State Veterans Home. That is one additional death from last week's total of three.

The office reports 14 residents and nine staff members in total have tested positive for the virus.

The mayor's office says six of the nine staff members who tested positive live in Wilson County.

12:51 p.m.

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

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

11:00 a.m.

Costco will be limiting poultry beef and pork purchases to three items per person as the coronavirus takes a toll on meat production across the U.S.

"Costco has implemented limits on certain items to help ensure more members are able to purchase merchandise they want and need. Our buyers and suppliers are working hard to provide essential, high demand merchandise as well as everyday favorites," the company said on its website. 

Read more.

10:19 a.m.

Comal County has confirmed two recoveries from COVID-19, for a total of 41, and received no reports of new positive cases.

8:52 a.m.

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

Sworn Officer COVID-19 positive: 6

Officers in quarantine: 2

Civilians in quarantine: 3

Total SAPD Personnel Quarantined: 5

7:05 a.m.

Global stock markets dropped on Monday as tensions between the Trump administration and China over the origins and handling of the coronavirus pandemic rattled investors. 

6:30 a.m.

There were more than 1.1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. by 6 a.m. Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. Over 67,000 people in the United States have died.

Worldwide, over 3.5 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. More than 247,000 people have died around the globe.

FOR PREVIOUS UPDATES, CLICK HERE 

RELATED: City health officials: The curve has flattened. But the work isn't over.

RELATED: State-by-state look at how America is reopening from the coronavirus

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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