A full budget year after they approved it, the San Antonio City Council is poised to discuss what the city’s controversial Reproductive Justice Fund will cover.

Metro Health owns a mobile unit that is parked in different locations of the city and brings free testing and information to communities that don't have access to health care.

Fiesta is back! The Alamo City is rocking and enjoying tasty food and drinks, but is what you’re consuming safe? A KSAT crew followed San Antonio Metropolitan Health District inspectors to find out.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District will host its annual Fiesta de Salud on Wednesday to provide health resources to the community.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has begun its National Public Health Week programming, including offering scholarships in honor of its former director, Dr. Fernando A. Guerra.

The five-year plan focuses on violence among youth, gun violence, sexual violence and domestic violence

The San Antonio community is recovering from a night riddled with violence Saturday — a teenager shot while playing video games, another woman found shot in her car, and law enforcement using deadly force in two other incidents.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is hoping to reduce gun violence, sexual violence and youth violence by bringing community organizations and government entities together to develop a five-year plan.

The classes teach mindfulness, boundaries and elevating communication in relationships.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District said they are seeing an uptick of mosquitoes due to the recent rain in the city.

O’Connor High School has been found to have a direct link to a case of tuberculosis at another Northside Independent School District high school, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District said Friday.

A monkeypox case was reported at Menchaca Early Childhood Center, Southside ISD officials told parents.

University Health will begin offering the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 vaccine starting Tuesday to provide a new layer of protection against the Omicron variant.

Updated COVID-19 booster shots are expected to roll out soon, which is why the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is no longer offering the original boosters to anyone 12 years old or older.

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials answered the public's questions at an educational forum about prevention and transmission of the latest public health emergency -- the monkeypox virus.

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District inspectors found live roaches, unapproved ice for sale, expired meat and food not being stored properly, among other issues, at the locations featured in this week’s Behind the Kitchen Door.

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District inspectors found problems with pests and employees not following basic health guidelines at two separate locations of a local seafood restaurant and bar.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is holding several pop-up vaccine clinics this week to provide vaccines needed for school children and COVID-19 shots.

With a scorching weekend of triple digit temperatures ahead, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has issued an extreme heat warning. KSAT 12 has put together a quick cheat sheet of what you may need.

During Minority Health Month, communities nationwide are shining the spotlight on disparities in health care for minority populations. Metro Health is doing the same in San Antonio, putting its main focus on immunizations.

With COVID-19 cases back down to a low point, Metro Health laid its plans on Monday for growing health initiatives through September 2026 in six different areas.

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials say it’s not a good idea to intentionally expose yourself to the virus amid strained hospital resources.

COVID-19 related hospitalizations have reached a new milestone as the omicron variant continues to surge in Bexar County.

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is reporting its highest COVID-19 case count since the pandemic started with 7,704 new cases on Wednesday.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District on Friday announced it will open three more new, no-cost COVID-19 test sites that will be available to the public in the coming days.

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.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is urging people to either get vaccinated for COVID-19 or utilize masks during their Thanksgiving celebrations to stay safe this holiday season.

Thursday is being declared an Ozone Action Day for the San Antonio area.

Wednesday is being declared an Ozone Action Day for the San Antonio area.

Saturday is an Ozone Action Day for the San Antonio area.

The San Antonio Zoo is partnering with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District will offer COVID-19 booster shots and $100 incentives for arm jabs coming this fall.

A distressing figure compiled by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District shows of the city’s 1.2 million Latinos, 60% of them are not vaccinated.

Statistics released Tuesday showed sharp jumps in key indicators over the previous set of numbers released on July 21, six days earlier. The seven-day average for new cases leapt up 62 percent, from 363 to 589, and the number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital jumped up 47 percent, from 397 to 585, of which 182 are in the ICU.

The 7-day rolling average is 126 cases, and four new deaths were reported this week.

The 7-day rolling average is 105 cases, and four new deaths were reported this week.

Saturday is an Ozone Action Day for the San Antonio area.

Friday is an Ozone Action Day for the San Antonio area.

The 7-day rolling average is ______ cases, and ______ new deaths were reported this week.

As San Antonio is rolling out the rainbow carpet for Pride Month, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is getting ready for a big Pride event.

The 7-day rolling average is 80 cases, and no new deaths were reported this week.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 198 new COVID-19 cases and 4 new deaths.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 125 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 107 new COVID-19 cases and 2 new deaths.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 107 new COVID-19 cases and 2 new deaths.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 165 new COVID-19 cases and 1 new death.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is alerting the public of the second Ozone Action Day of the year in the Alamo City.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 267 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 402 new COVID-19 cases and 3 new deaths.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 233 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is alerting the public of the first Ozone Action Day of the year in the Alamo City.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 68 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported an increase of 311 new COVID-19 cases and six new death.

Claude A. Jacob was selected after a national search, city officials announced on Friday.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District will make 30,000 first-dose Pfizer vaccine appointments available starting at 7 p.m. Thursday. Residents can register for an appointment on the Metro Health COVID-19 vaccine registration website. The appointments are reserved for people who meet the current criteria for priority groups 1A, 1B, and 1C unless there are still appointments available on Monday when the state opens up vaccines to all adults. By signing up, they will receive a text notifying them of locations that have appointments available. At this time notifications will be for the Alamodome, Wonderland of the Americas operated by University Health, UT Health San Antonio, and WellMed.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 202,550 total COVID-19 cases and 3,071 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 193 new cases as of Sunday. Health officials also reported that 188 patients are hospitalized, 76 are in the intensive care unit and 45 are on ventilators. More than 900,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be shipped across Texas this week, according to state health officials. The Texas Department of State Health Services announced the shipment Friday, and said the state is allocating 685,470 doses to at least 481 providers in 183 counties. AdFor more information on this vaccine shipment, or for how many doses will be allocated to Bexar County, click here.

SAN ANTONIO – Updated Tuesday:All vaccine appointments have been filled, Metro Health officials said Tuesday. Previously:The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District announced that 40,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments will open up on Monday evening. Metro Health will have 10,000 appointments available each week from now through April 3. Health officials said vaccine appointments will become available starting at 6 p.m., Monday, on the Metro Health COVID-19 vaccine registration website. RELATED: How to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in San Antonio when appointments are available

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District will open 10,000 vaccine appointments on Sunday at the Alamodome vaccine location, officials announced. Metro Health is working with state and local partners to help distribute the vaccines to individuals designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The 10,000 first dose vaccine appointments will be available Sunday on the Metro Health COVID-19 vaccine registration website. “Residents without access to the internet can call 311 for assistance with registration,” officials said in a statement. RELATED: The Latest: First US J&J vaccine doses shipping Sunday night

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 195,719 total COVID-19 cases and 2,520 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 482 new cases as of Saturday. No new deaths were reported today. The 7-day rolling average will be reported during Tuesday’s briefing since there wasn’t enough data this week due to lack of testing because of last week’s winter storm. City officials also reported that 455 patients are hospitalized, 186 are in the intensive care unit and 109 are on ventilators. There are 11% of staffed beds available and 64% of ventilators available.

Boerne Mayor Tim Handren said Kendall County received about 1,200 vaccines in early January, but they were used quickly. AdHandren says the state seems to give preference to hospitals, and Kendall County doesn’t have one. It’s also about accessibility, and many in that community can drive to hubs like San Antonio for a vaccine. Kendall County will be receiving about 600 Moderna vaccines this week -- 400 for the city and 200 for the county. Yates says she got lucky taking a drive to San Antonio and getting a shot.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and WellMed have each received 9,000 more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Metro Health, which received a shipment of the Pfizer vaccine, will begin booking appointments Friday for the Alamodome next week. To avoid the overwhelming rush of residents seeking appointments that occurred with the first series of Alamodome appointments, the City of San Antonio will make appointments available on a rolling basis. The registration system will continue to reopen as appointments become available due to cancellations. WellMed received 9,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine for distribution next week.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has started scheduling appointments for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Patients who received the first dose of the vaccine by noon Wednesday at the Alamodome are eligible, a news release said. Previously, people who were already vaccinated were told to register online one week prior to when their second dose was due, but that’s not the case anymore, officials said. Patients will receive a phone call from Metro Health to schedule their second dose. Residents are urged to check daily to see if there are appointments available on the city’s website or by calling 311 and selecting option 8.

Medical personnel administer COVID-19 testing at a drive-through site, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in San Antonio. Coronavirus testing in Texas has dropped significantly, mirroring nationwide trends, just as schools reopen and football teams charge ahead with plans to play. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 130,447 total COVID-19 cases and 1,593 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 1,301 new cases as of Saturday. On Saturday, the Alamodome launched registration for those who are eligible to receive their COVID-1 vaccines at its distribution site. San Antonio City Councilwomen also announced two additional vaccine distribution sites, located on the South and West Sides.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is continuing to work with state and local leaders to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Tuesday, the Bexar County area received approximately 50,000 doses of the vaccine, and more than 31,000 people in the county have been vaccinated, according to Metro Health. “The remaining 40,000 doses of the initial 90,000-dose allocation for Bexar County is expected to arrive within the next week,” Metro Health said in a statement on Wednesday. However, early in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, there will be a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine. Supply will increase into 2021.”The COVID-19 vaccination plan for Bexar County can be found on the COVID-19 Portal.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 100,822 total COVID-19 cases and 1,442 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 744 new cases as of Saturday. No new deaths were reported today. The city’s total case count also includes 51 backlogged electronic lab reports, according to Metro Health. COVID-19 Update: December 19 Our thoughts are with the 824 neighbors battling COVID-19 in the hospital this... Posted by Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Saturday, December 19, 2020City officials also reported that 824 patients are hospitalized, 268 are in the intensive care unit and 133 are on ventilators. There are 11% of staffed beds available and 60% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio officials announced 599 new COVID-19 cases in Bexar County on Monday. The total number of cases now reported by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District now stands at 94,781. Metro Health also reported that 769 patients are hospitalized, 258 are in the intensive care unit and 115 are on ventilators. In a sign of improvement, the positivity rate in Bexar County dropped from 15% to 12.5%, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. The 7-day rolling average of new daily COVID-19 cases in Bexar County is now 933 a day.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 94,182 total COVID-19 cases and 1,429 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 655 new cases as of Sunday. The total case count includes a backlog of 51 cases, according to health officials. No new deaths were reported today, but 11 backlogged deaths were added to the city’s total death toll. Metro Health also reported that 705 patients are hospitalized, 234 are in the intensive care unit and 129 are on ventilators. There are 14% of staffed beds available and 61% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 93,476 total COVID-19 cases and 1,418 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 992 new cases as of Saturday. No new deaths were reported today. City officials also reported that 697 patients are hospitalized, 238 are in the intensive care unit and 125 are on ventilators. There are 12% of staffed beds available and 61% of ventilators available. On Saturday, Texas reported 13,254 new coronavirus cases and 235 deaths, according to the state health department.

SAN ANTONIO – The three largest school districts in Bexar County will allow in-person learners to stay on campus as cases rise and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District puts the school risk level at “high.”Metro Health’s recommendations for high risk, which it posted online Monday, include not holding in-person instruction. Northside ISD and San Antonio ISD have both pumped the brakes somewhat on bringing more students back to campus. But both districts, along with Northeast ISD, say that students who are already on-campus will be able to stay there. San Antonio ISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez told staff in a letter on Monday that the district’s recorded positivity rate, based on its testing programs, is much lower - less than 1%. Chancellor also pointed to Metro Health data that shows just seven instances of cases transmitted in Bexar County schools this year.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 86,986 total COVID-19 cases and 1,397 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 1,021 new cases as of Sunday. Two new deaths were reported today. The city’s total case count includes 70 backlogged cases. There were also 18 backlogged deaths reported, ranging from July 10 - November 15. City officials also reported that 576 patients are hospitalized, 204 are in the intensive care unit and 105 are on ventilators.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 85,895 total COVID-19 cases and 1,377 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 694 new cases as of Saturday. One new death was reported today. City officials also reported that 576 patients are hospitalized, 208 are in the intensive care unit and 104 are on ventilators. COVID-19 Update - December 5 576 in the hospital battling this disease. Please keep them and... Posted by Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Saturday, December 5, 2020As of Friday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the case numbers are expected to increase next week, as that’s likely when the city will see the impact from Thanksgiving.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 80,057 total COVID-19 cases and 1,357 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 888 new cases as of Sunday. No new deaths were reported. The total case count also includes a backlog of 758 cases, according to health officials. Health officials also reported that 582 patients are hospitalized, 178 are in the intensive care unit and 96 are on ventilators. A curfew for San Antonio is still in effect, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. that will extend through Monday, Nov. 30.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 78,411 total COVID-19 cases and 1,344 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 1,661 new cases in three days. According to Mayor Ron Nirenberg, 812 new cases were reported on Nov. 25, 220 cases were reported on Nov. 26, and 629 cases were reported Saturday, totaling 1,661 new cases. A curfew for San Antonio is still in effect, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. that will extend through Monday, Nov. 30. They may continue to offer drive-thru, curbside or takeout service once the curfew begins after 10 p.m.Click here to learn more about the curfew. There was no city coronavirus briefing on Thursday or Friday of this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials reported 73,882 total COVID-19 cases and 1,335 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 567 new cases as of Sunday. No new deaths were reported today. However, a backlog of 17 deaths, ranging from July 8 - Nov. 6 and 272 deaths reported by other health officials were added to the total number in the county. City officials also reported that 492 patients are hospitalized, 165 are in the intensive care unit and 84 are on ventilators. There are 14% of staffed beds available and 67% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials reported 72,805 total COVID-19 cases and 1,318 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 492 new cases as of Saturday. Two new deaths were reported today. City officials also reported that 466 patients are hospitalized, 148 are in the intensive care unit and 66 are on ventilators. There are 10% of staffed beds available and 70% of ventilators available.

“Work to balance the need we have to ensure students and staff are kept safe with the need to address learning loss and instructional needs of individual students,” Perez said. Though unlike NISD, the district is continuing its outreach efforts to struggling virtual learners. The number of NEISD and NISD cases alone is 573 -- with more from NISD counting off-campus staff -- but the Metro Health data only shows 423 cases for all campuses so far. Asked about the discrepancy, a Metro Health spokeswoman said the data may just not have been reported to them yet. While neither NISD nor NEISD plan to force any of their in-person learners to return to virtual learning, both districts say parents may choose to make that switch.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 70,042 total COVID-19 cases and 1,301 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Sunday, an increase of 133 new cases. One hundred sixteen backlogged cases were also added to the county’s overall total. One new death was reported today and six backlogged deaths, with dates ranging from Aug. 27 to Oct. 22, were added to the county’s overall total. City officials also reported that 384 patients are hospitalized, 131 are in the intensive care unit and 67 are on ventilators. There are 14% of staffed beds available and 65% of ventilators available.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 69,793 total COVID-19 cases and 1,294 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 389 new cases. One new death was reported today. City officials also reported that 371 patients are hospitalized, 129 are in the intensive care unit and 60 are on ventilators. There are 12% of staffed beds available and 65% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 67,627 total COVID-19 cases and 1,285 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Sunday, an increase of 88 new cases. No new deaths were reported today. Twelve deaths that were reported between Aug. 9 - Oct. 23 were added to the county’s death toll, according to health officials. A total of 174 backlogged cases will also be added to the county’s total case count Sunday, according to health officials. City officials also reported that 274 patients are hospitalized, 116 are in the intensive care unit and 54 are on ventilators.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 67,365 total COVID-19 cases and 1,273 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 238 new cases. No new deaths were reported today. The 7-day moving average of cases, as of Friday, is 218. City officials also reported that 261 patients are hospitalized, 107 are in the intensive care unit and 39 are on ventilators. There are 12% of staffed beds available and 68% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 66,064 total COVID-19 cases and 1,260 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Sunday, an increase of 191 new cases. No new deaths were reported today; however, nine deaths reported from July 4- October 11, 2020, were added to the city’s total death count. City officials also reported that 227 patients are hospitalized, 94 are in the intensive care unit and 59 are on ventilators. 17% of hospital beds are available and 67% of ventilators are available.

All rights reserved.) SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 65,873 total COVID-19 cases and 1,251 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 273 new cases. No new deaths were reported today. The 7-day moving average of cases is 191, as of Friday. City officials also reported that 227 patients are hospitalized, 88 are in the intensive care unit and 58 are on ventilators.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 64,616 total COVID-19 cases and 1,247 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Sunday, an increase of 140 new cases. No new deaths were reported today; however, 15 deaths that occurred between July 26- October 7, 2020 were added to the total. As of Friday, the 7-day moving average of cases is 177. City officials also reported that 237 patients are hospitalized, 87 are in the intensive care unit and 42 are on ventilators. There are 17% of staffed beds available and 70% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 64,476 total COVID-19 cases and 1,232 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 215 new cases. No new deaths were reported today. As of Friday, the 7-day moving average of cases is 177. City officials also reported that 220 patients are hospitalized, 85 are in the intensive care unit and 41 are on ventilators. There are 14% of staffed beds available and 72% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 59,684 total COVID-19 cases and 1,201 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Sunday, an increase of 90 new cases. No new deaths were reported today; however, a backlog of 27 deaths ranging from June 21- September 24, 2020 were added to the total count. The 7-day moving average of cases, as of Friday, is 156. City officials also reported that 192 patients are hospitalized, 81 are in the intensive care unit and 39 are on ventilators. There are 16% of staffed beds available and 74% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported 59,594 total COVID-19 cases and 1,174 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 80 new cases. Three new deaths were reported today. The 7-day moving average of cases, as of Friday, is 156. City officials also reported that 190 patients are hospitalized, 83 are in the intensive care unit and 38 are on ventilators. There are 17% of staffed beds available and 72% of ventilators available.

Speaking at the Thursday nightly briefing, Metro Health Chief of Epidemiology Rita Espinoza said the asymptomatic cases will now also be listed as “probable” cases in the city’s COVID-19 statistics. Without one, though, they weren’t recorded as a case, and no contact tracing efforts were conducted. The group recommended all antigen positive lab reports be counted as “probable” cases and investigated the same. A positive result from one of these tests is enough to consider a case “confirmed,” under state definitions, compared to the “probable” label that positive antigen test results get. “That means that you can count on a positive test being positive,” Gude said.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District announced 57,145 total COVID-19 cases and 1,130 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Sunday, an increase of 56 new cases. In the overall case total, Metro Health officials have also included a backlog of 2,794 cases. Three new deaths were reported today and 53 additional deaths that were backlogged are included in the total, ranging from June 29 - September 10, 2020. Health officials said there are currently 221 patients are hospitalized. There are 16% of staffed beds available and 73% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District announced 54,295 total COVID-19 cases and 1,074 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 100 new cases. The 7-day moving average of cases is 162, as of Friday. City officials also reported a slight uptick in hospitalization numbers. Of those, 85 are in the intensive care unit and 30 are on ventilators. There are 15% of staffed beds available and 73% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are still declining in San Antonio and Bexar County, numbers indicate. San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials reported 49,915 total COVID-19 cases and 1,016 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 142 new cases. One new death was reported Sunday in addition to 23 deaths ranging from June 25 - August 27, according to Metro Health officials. A total of 193 deaths are from congregate settings. According to numbers on the city’s website, 246 patients are hospitalized, 108 are in the intensive care unit and 54 are on ventilators.

SAN ANTONIO – COVID-19 related hospitalizations are still trending downward in San Antonio and Bexar County, numbers indicate. San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials reported 48,198 total COVID-19 cases and 992 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 124 new cases. The 7-day moving average of cases is 143. According to numbers on the city’s website, 260 patients are hospitalized, 110 are in the intensive care unit and 55 are on ventilators. There are 15% of staffed beds available and 68% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO COVID-19 related hospitalizations are continuing on a downward trend in San Antonio, according to numbers provided by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Health officials announced 47,315 total COVID-19 cases and 893 total deaths in Bexar County, as of Saturday, an increase of 131 new cases. The 7-day moving average of cases is 157. According to COVID-19 numbers posted on the citys website, a total of 317 patients are hospitalized, 145 are in the intensive care unit and 81 are on ventilators. There are 14% of staffed beds available and 67% of ventilators available.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District will differentiate between current cases of COVID-19 and recent virus-related deaths from cases and deaths older than 14 days, city leaders said in a press release Friday. Starting Sunday, the daily reported data will only include current new cases and deaths. All cases and deaths, including those recently added but older than 14 days, will be included in the data on a weekly basis. The change in reporting is based on the following new guidance to local health departments from the Texas Department of State Health Services:So that state and local COVID-19 data will most accurately reflect the current situation in your community, we encourage you to report cases arising from older testing as backlogged cases, and more recent cases as new. This will help us ensure that estimates of active and recovered patients are as accurate as possible.

SAN ANTONIO – As the 2020-2021 school year gets closer, the anxiety level appears to be growing for many parents, students and teachers. If NEISD can offer child care with virtual education for their teachers’ children, why can’t all districts, or let teachers teach from home? However, cases are still high, take into consideration teachers, kids, cafeteria and maintenance / janitorial crews who actually are cleaning up after everyone. AnonymousAs an educator, the best place for all students, teachers, administrators, librarians, cafeteria personnel, paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers and others would be avoiding crowds inside at this time! AnnieVirtual-learning-only forces many parents to pick between staying home to teach or staying employed.

SAN ANTONIO COVID-19 related hospitalizations are still declining, according to numbers provided by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and city officials. On Saturday, Bexar Countys COVID-19 case load increased as the city announced 232 additional COVID-19 cases. The additional cases bring Bexar Countys cumulative total to 42,531 cases since the start of the pandemic. Officials reported 743 Bexar County residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19, down from 770 on Friday. Numbers released by city officials indicate that 15% of staffed hospital beds and 52% of ventilators are available in Bexar County.

SAN ANTONIO Public health departments across the nation have been criticized in some form over its response to the coronavirus pandemic, including the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. There have been concerns over whether Metro Health hired enough case investigators and contact tracers at the beginning of the pandemic to track the spread of COVID-19 in Bexar County. Health officials work to trace COVID-19 cases in San AntonioSo, at the beginning of this second spike, it was taking us about seven days to complete the case investigation process. Bridger agrees that some of the criticism is well deserved.And we have modified our response in order to better, you know, take that criticism into account and make us better, Bridger said. WATCH: Part 2 of Bridgers interviewRELATED: Metro Health to issue amended health directive to reopening schools

SAN ANTONIO The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District will issue an amended health directive next week that will include recommendations to guide school districts on safe restarting of face-to-face instruction. Greg Abbott and other top GOP state leaders released a statement saying that local health authorities cant preemptively close schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a news release, city officials said they disagreed with the analysis of state officials regarding the Texas Health and Safety Code, which local officials said grants the local health authority powers beyond quarantine, namely powers to institute preventative measures. The goal of an amended health directive is to relieve the confusion and uncertainty for families, teachers and school administrators and to provide recommendations and health indicators for schools to consider as they return to in-person instruction, the news release said. Woo will gather input from other health experts and school stakeholders based upon health indicators for the amended health directive.

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday said local health authorities may not issue sweeping orders closing schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Paxton said the role of local health authorities is to address specific, actual outbreaks of disease and that public and private school officials are the appropriate people to decide whether, when and how to open school. “While local health authorities may possess some authority to close schools in limited circumstances, they may not issue blanket orders closing all schools on a purely preventative basis. The health directive is consistent with Governor Abbott’s March order that mandated virtual learning while the virus was just beginning to spread in Texas. All schools complied with the Governor’s March order without raising any Constitutional concerns.

San Antonio Students may be off of Bexar County campuses until after Labor Day, but at least some on a task force meant to advise the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District are still wary. The task force, which a Metro Health spokeswoman describes as more of an ad-hoc group of advisors, consists of district officials, health experts, teachers, students and other community members. It has met once so far, on Thursday, the day before Metro Health Medical Director Dr. Junda Woo issued a health directive for all K-12 schools, public or private, in Bexar County. The new directive Woo issued forbids schools from re-opening for in-person instruction until at least after Labor Day on Sep. 7. But I think they can listen even harder.The list of task force members, as provided by the city, includes the following: