While COVID is still out there, it's the viruses that have long been circulating that sent so many kids to the hospital this cold and flu season. Things like RSV and the flu. So what made this year so unusual?

A Texas Department of State Health Services dashboard, updated Monday afternoon, shows just 42 available, staffed pediatric ICU beds across the state. In San Antonio’s region, which covers nearly 2.9 million people and stretches to the Mexican border, there were only nine available.

San Antonio is seeing a high number of flu cases months earlier than usual, according to doctors at University Health System.

Dr. Bryan Alsip, the Chief Medical Officer with University Health, answered some commonly asked questions.

San Antonio-area doctors are preparing for an upcoming rollout of a new updated COVID-19 booster vaccine.

Dr. Bryan Alsip, the chief medical officer with University Health System answered some frequently asked questions about COVID-19 boosters, how our immune system works and the latest mask guidance.

If you’re looking for a free walk-up COVID-19 test site in a more centralized location, Bexar County has added a new spot at an already familiar place.

University Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bryan Alsip, answered some of the most-asked questions about COVID-19 and the new omicron variant, which now accounts for a majority of new cases.

COVID hospitalizations in Bexar County have increased by more than 75% from just one week ago.

Based on the rate of transmission of COVID-19 within the first five days of infection, Dr. Bryan Alsip, University Health’s chief medical officer, said he is “pretty comfortable” with the new recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A new shortage of at-home COVID-19 tests is leading to long lines at San Antonio testing centers.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District’s COVID-19 data seems to be pointing in the right direction. However, some local doctors warn that may not be the case as end-of-year holiday gatherings approach.

Having the first oral medication to treat COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms but at risk of severe disease would be “a great additional asset,” said Dr. Bryan Alsip, University Health chief medical officer.

University Health and Bexar County are partnering to make flu shots free and as convenient as possible this year by hosting four drive-thru flu shot events over the next two months.

As hospitalization numbers continued to shoot up Thursday, driven by unvaccinated residents, hospitals in the San Antonio area are feeling the squeeze.

With the recent rise in the number of hospitalizations in San Antonio, coupled with a concern over the Delta variant, University Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Alsip answered a series of frequently asked questions.

On Friday, June 4, KSAT 12 will be holding a phone bank from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Dr. Jason Bowling, director of hospital epidemiology from University Health, to answer viewers’ comments, questions and concerns.

Health care professionals say they’re optimistic the effects of the pandemic will improve by the summer as the number of infections drops in our area, leading to the closure of some COVID-19 units at some San Antonio hospitals.

“The hope is that many people will continue to wear masks because the mandate doesn’t prohibit them. AdHow you wear a mask and where you go indoors, in particular, may actually re-emphasize the need for protection. Alsip said if you weren’t wearing a double mask or two layers before, this might be a good time to begin considering that. “We’ve heard from any number of people who have decided they’re not going to do certain activities now because they can’t be as sure that other individuals will be wearing masks, Alsip said. You can view the MMWR report below:Related Stories:

KSAT 12 anchors Steve Spriester and Myra Arthur talk with Dr. Bryan Alsip of University Hospital about future plans for more COVID-19 vaccines in San Antonio.

SAN ANTONIO – Like so many other internet claims on the COVID-19 vaccine, the claim that the injection will alter your DNA has been widely shared and discussed on social media. Two medical experts, Dr. Bryan Alsip, chief medical officer at University Health System, and Dr. Jason Bowling, an infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio, have said this claim is NOT TRUE . “The mRNA does not enter the nucleus of our cells. The mRNA does not change a person’s DNA through this process. Some San Antonio teachers, school employees to get COVID-19 vaccine this week through University Health

University Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Alsip answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. What happens if I don’t get my second dose? What happens if the second dose is delayed for some reason? Since we want folks to take the second dose in the two-dose series, the goal would be to then get it as soon as possible. So you’re much less likely to become ill if you get the vaccine than if you didn’t have the vaccine.

Dr. Bryan Alsip, chief medical officer with University Health System, joined Leading SA on Sunday to discuss the current outlook on the city’s vaccine distribution progress. But, you know, several organizations are really stepping up and University Health. Right now, University Health is aiming to vaccinate 1,000 people every day, but not everyone has been able to register as of yet, given the limited amount of openings. For now, Dr. Alsip said it all just depends on how many vaccines are available for distribution. You can watch the full interview with Dr. Alsip in the video player above.

SAN ANTONIO – Monday is the day so many people have been waiting for as University Health began the morning administering the Moderna vaccine to the general public. The more vaccines we can provide to people, the more we can protect them from the pandemic,” Dr. Bryan Alsip, Chief Medical Officer of University Health, said. Right now, University Health is administering about 120 shots an hour and it really is the light at the end of the tunnel for so many people. These are the ten doses, the doses of the vile that are ready to be administered,” Elliott Mandell, senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer at University Health said, while explaining the process. University Health issued a statement and said they have had an overwhelming response.

SAN ANTONIO – The Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccine Advisory committee will meet Thursday to discuss the possibility of giving emergency use authorization to Pfizer for its COVID-19 vaccine. The Chief Medical Officer for University Health said that if that happens, Bexar County could see vaccines as early as December 16th. “I think there are only about 28,000 doses coming into all of Bexar county to start so that really limits the amount you can give,” University Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Alsip. Alsip said University Health can accommodate that. “Early on when some of the information came out about a second dose, those were some of the strategies around reserving enough, cutting in half for that second dose,” Alsip said.

Every day is another day closer to the approval of a potential COVID-19 vaccine, and one may even be ready for distribution as early as next month. “The vaccine is being acquired by the federal government in the United States, and those allotments are being distributed to the states,” Alsip said. “Initially, the vaccine will be distributed by those who receive the allotments, which will be primarily hospitals, public health departments and so forth. It really depends on the distribution of the vaccine, availability and timing.”When will we be able to get the vaccine at most pharmacies, like a flu shot? “The steps used to create these COVID-19 vaccines are the same steps used to other vaccines.

SAN ANTONIO – A sharp increase of COVID-19 infections in El Paso may be the sign of another incoming surge, the UT Health Chief Medical Officer told staff in an email obtained by KSAT. University Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Alsip said the El Paso patients are being transferred to hospitals across the state. Dr. Alsip said he did not know if El Paso was transferring patients with COVID-19 or other patients. “This really is a way to create additional space in those ICUs in El Paso and those hospitals,” Alsip said. Still, the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force may choose to transfer COVID-19 patients to other hospitals in Texas depending on the situation.

SAN ANTONIO Editors Note: Watch the entire briefing in the video player above. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Friday night. Nirenberg reported 46,083 total COVID-19 cases and 780 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Friday, an increase of 272 new cases. City officials also reported that 393 patients are hospitalized, 196 are in the intensive care unit and 125 are on ventilators. However, people still need to continue social distancing and follow other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Wednesday night. Here are a few of the highlights:Nirenberg reported 33,555 total COVID-19 cases and 283 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Wednesday, an increase of 1,688 new cases. Nirenberg said one of the newly reported deaths was from a nursing home, and three of them were related to people under 40 years old. Sg2 COVID-19 model 7/22/20 (COSA)Wolff said there is a small decline in local hospitalizations currently. Track daily spikes in COVID-19 cases in San Antonio, Bexar CountyMORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE FROM KSAT:

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Tuesday night. Here are a few of the highlights:Nirenberg reported 21,067 total COVID-19 cases and 201 total deaths in Bexar County , as of Tuesday, an increase of 854 new cases. City officials also reported that 1,237 patients are hospitalized , 417 are in the intensive care unit and 260 are on ventilators. Bridger added that another facility was interested in also allowing COVID-19 patients within the next week, and some facilities want to establish wings for coronavirus patients. Track daily spikes in COVID-19 cases in San Antonio, Bexar CountyMORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE FROM KSAT:

San Antonio hospitals are reaching capacity, as 87% of available staffed beds are currently in use. Only 13% of staffed hospitals beds are available. Experts have been concerned they might see a shortage in the antiviral drug remdesivir. Much of the supply at local hospitals came from the U.S. government. “This week we did run out of the drug remdesivir for a while.

SAN ANTONIO Editors Note: Watch the entire briefing in the video player above. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Wednesday night. Here are a few of the highlights:Nirenberg reported 439 new COVID-19 cases , bringing the total case tally to 12,504. City officials also reported 1,019 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, a new high in hospitalizations. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Wolff announced that Bexar County parks will be closed for Fourth of July Weekend.

SAN ANTONIO University Health researches in San Antonio are continuing to study the antiviral drug Remdesivir as a treatment for treating patients who are COVID-19 positive. University Health System Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Alsip said that, judging from the data he has seen globally, the drug proves to be a very effective tool for treating COVID-19 patients. The team at University Health System hospital said they are the second stage of the Remdesivir clinical trial, where the team is giving an anti-inflammatory medication along with Remdesivir to COVID-19 patients, Patterson said. Lenzy was hospitalized the night his symptoms began and was at University hospital for six days. To learn more about the study visit the University System Hospital website by clicking here.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Wednesday night. Here are a few of the highlights:Nirenberg reported 1,761 COVID-19 cases and 53 deaths in Bexar County, as of Wednesday. Fifty-four new cases were confirmed at the Bexar County Jail and 30 in the community. Officials update community on latest Bexar County Jail COVID-19 statistics, actions takenSheriff Javier Salazar also joined Nirenberg and Wolff during the briefing. The first case confirmed in the U.S. was in mid-January and the first case confirmed in San Antonio was in mid-February.

SAN ANTONIO – It’s a question many people in San Antonio want to know — have we flattened the curve? “Well, the data would show that we actually have flattened the curve,” Alsip said. Alsip said about two weeks after San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued the “Stay Home, Work Safe” order, San Antonio started seeing a decline in the number of new cases and in the number of patients in the hospital. Question: “How and why do you think we’ve been successful (at flattening the curve)?”Alsip said one of the things that helped San Antonio be successful at flattening the curve is that we had early experience with COVID-19 due to the evacuees from Wuhan and two cruise ships who were sent to quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. KSAT12 is working hard to get answers to the most important questions you have about the new coronavirus and COVID-19.

SAN ANTONIO – Are you worried about the coronavirus? Following Thursday’s announcement that one of the people being held in quarantine at JBSA-Lackland has tested positive for the deadly disease, we decided to have a medical expert answer your questions. Coronavirus case confirmed in San Antonio, CDC saysDr. Bryan Alsip, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for University Health System, answers your questions about the coronavirus.