Record number of announced daily cases; 11 new virus-related deaths

SAINT ANTHONY – San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said hospitals remain under stress, as a record number of COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Tuesday.

Nirenberg reported 1,717 new cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 105,164. The 7-day average of cases is now 1,174. It also announced 11 virus-related deaths, bringing the total death toll to 1,471.

The city will issue an emergency alert about the spread of the virus at 7 p.m., Nirenberg said.

City officials also reported that 912 patients are hospitalized, 292 in the intensive care unit and 145 in ventilators. 10% beds are available.

“No matter how you cut it, those are bad numbers,” Nirenberg said. “They need to awaken everyone to the reality of COVID-19 in our community.”

COVID-19 hospitalizations now account for 15.1% of total hospitalizations in Bexar County. If this percentage persists for seven days, the employment of most local businesses will be reduced to 50%, according to the governor’s emergency orders.

Nirenberg and Wolff urged residents to celebrate Christmas responsibly, but said they do not plan to issue a curfew during the holidays.

“They have not been recommended by our healthcare professionals, so we are looking at the data very carefully,” Nirenberg said.

MONTH CORONAVIR COVERAGE FROM KSAT: