TRUST INDEX: Web article falsely claims โthird waveโ of COVID-19 will be dominated by vaccinated people
The article claims that the next big wave of COVID-19 infections is already hitting some parts of the U.S. As part of our Trust Index initiative, KSAT spoke with San Antonio doctors, who explained why the report is inaccurate.
San Antonio AIDS Foundation pivots in pandemic with curbside HIV/STD testing
SAN ANTONIO โ The San Antonio AIDS Foundation has made it their mission to empower and encourage people to know their HIV status. โOur testing though really stopped for a few months, unfortunately,โ said Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, CEO of the non-proft. SAAF was forced to pivot, and now they offer HIV and syphilis testing through curb side drive up. (KSAT)SAAF was forced to pivot, and now they offer HIV and syphilis testing through curb side drive up. โComing in for HIV testing is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of others,โ said Rohr-Allegrini.
Trust Index: No, there is not fetal tissue in the COVID-19 vaccines
SAN ANTONIO โ It is perhaps one of the most asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine: Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain fetal tissue from aborted fetuses? To clarify this even further, Dr. Bryan Alsip, Chief Medical Officer at University Health, explained the difference between fetal tissue and fetal cell linesโsomething social media posts often confuse. โFetal cell lines mimic human tissue, human cells,โ Alsip said. Earlier this week Pope Frances said getting the COVID-19 vaccine is an โethical duty.โ Reports indicate Pope Frances received his first dose of the vaccine on Wednesday. Related: Trust Index: Does the COVID-19 vaccine contain a tracking device?
San Antonio epidemiologist hopes to maintain meaning of Thanksgiving spirit despite COVID-19 gathering restrictions
SAN ANTONIO โ Health experts are encouraging people to avoid large gatherings this Thanksgiving to avoid spreading COVID-19 as cases surge across the United States. Rohr-Allegrini is also the CEO of the San Antonio AIDS Foundation and spends much of her time monitoring local COVID-19 data. Rohr-Allegrini said her Thanksgiving tradition is to host friends and neighbors from different cultures and walks of life. Itโs just so contrary to what the meaning of Thanksgiving is,โ Rohr-Allegrini said. Rohr-Allegrini said it wouldnโt be a typical Thanksgiving for families but believes being physically apart doesnโt mean they canโt be emotionally together.
โWe need to keep our guard up,โ San Antonio epidemiologist warns, despite coronavirus vaccine progress
SAN ANTONIO โ After Mondayโs announcement from Pfizer that its COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective, local epidemiologist Cherise Rohr-Allegrini said the news is โreally exciting.โPfizer says COVID-19 vaccine is looking 90% effectiveโWhatโs most important about any vaccine is that it be absolutely safe. And if itโs safe and 90 percent effective, then that is just incredible for all of us,โ she said during Tuesdayโs KSAT Q&A. So if we do utilize this vaccine, weโre going to have to really rethink how we deliver the vaccine into the population,โ Allegrini said. Testing timeline: Whatโs ahead for COVID-19 vaccinesSan Antonio is one Texas city that hasnโt seen an overwhelming spike in cases in recent weeks. Track daily spikes in COVID-19 cases in San Antonio, Bexar CountyWatch KSAT Q&A Monday-Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The reason cities across the nation are declaring racism a public health crisis, explained
SAN ANTONIO โ Editorโs note: This content was created exclusively for KSAT Explains, a weekly streaming show that dives deep into the biggest issues facing San Antonio and South Texas. And itโs why cities and counties in at least 26 states have declared racism a public health crisis. San Antonio is one of three cities or counties that made the declaration this summer. Cities and counties in at least 26 states have declared racism a public health crisis. The City of San Antonioโs Metropolitan Health District says health equity is a priority and declaring racism a public health crisis is only the first step.
San Antonio epidemiologist says people must follow social distancing guidelines to keep economy open
SAN ANTONIO โ As we approach flu season, which is typically the fall and winter months, epidemiologist Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini said sheโs concerned that the coronavirus pandemic could worsen. โOur infection rate is really jumping. Throughout the KSAT Q&A Monday, she re-emphasized precautions that both individuals and businesses should be taking to slow the spread. She said keeping businesses open and the economy running is vital, but to do so people must follow health guidelines. Experts hope to avoid โtwindemicโHow can I tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
Racism, a public health crisis: Whatโs next for San Antonio?
SAN ANTONIO โ Declaring racism a public health crisis in August was an important move for the City of San Antonio as people of color make up more than 75% of the cityโs population. Tramelle Jones has lived in San Antonio for more than 30 years and is among those who believe the time for action is now. The resolution passed by the San Antonio City Council doesnโt make immediate changes or specify how they will be made. Another resident, Glo Armmer, has lived in San Antonio her whole life. โWe know that racism has an impact on individual health for certain, and when you think collectively, itโs public health,โ she said.
Schools are redesigning their buildings to reduce spread of COVID-19
SAN ANTONIO Schools across San Antonio are still finalizing their reopening plans, which include finding ways to reduce the risk of teachers, students and staff contracting COVID-19. Every district and private or religious schools can reopen when they deem it is safe. Most districts in Bexar County have decided not to reopen schools to in-person learning until after Labor Day. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, an epidemiologist in San Antonio, has been working with certain schools to identify ways to reduce the coronavirus spread. Bonham Academy has been working on its reopening plan since May, Rohr-Allegrini said.
Coronavirus and kids: San Antonio epidemiologist breaks down risks, school safety
SAN ANTONIO With the reopening of school up in the air, many people are concerned about what the COVID-19 risks are for children. It says 31% of kids tested in the state were positive for COVID-19, compared to 11% of adults. Kids get sick with chickenpox but its not usually deadly but if an adult gets it its much more severe. Science has answers and gapsAs of Monday, there have been 3,907 cases among children under 19 years old in Bexar County. Rohr-Allegrini said schools closing when the pandemic began might have helped slow the spread among school-aged kids.
More than 200 babies under 1 year old have tested positive for COVID-19 in San Antonio, Bexar County
SAN ANTONIO Alarming numbers released by the city of San Antonio on Tuesday on the amount of positive pediatric COVID-19 cases. Heres a breakdown of the cases in age groups:There are 211 positive cases in children under 1 year of age. 85 babies under 1 year old in Nueces County have tested positive for COVID-19, according to reportThe citys COVID-19 dashboard breaks down positive cases by age group, but until Tuesday, all pediatric cases were lumped into the category of the 0-19 age range. The age breakdown provided Tuesday is the most detailed insight weve been given on pediatric cases in Bexar County. Read more on KSAT.com:Many pregnant women are testing positive for COVID-19 in San Antonio, health officials say5 charts explain COVID-19 surge in San AntonioTeachers, students part of task force to advise Metro Health on reopening schools
San Antonio health experts urge protestors to be cautious of COVID-19
SAN ANTONIO Local groups continue to protest against racial inequality and police brutality despite a second wave of COVID-19. Local activist Joevon Leon Berry said organizing and demonstrating during a pandemic can prove to be a serious issue for protestors. Were going to show our children, the ones that will be here in 10 years, that they have to fight the same fight," Berry said. The citys Public Health Committee has recommended San Antonio police discontinue the use of tear gas, which could increase coughing and the risk of contracting COVID-19. Metro Health has recommended protestors get tested and self isolate until they receive their results.