City Of San Antonio: COVID-19 Risk Level Upgraded To Severe; Omicron Variant Spreading In San Antonio And Bexar County

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

Monday, January 3, 2022

CONTACT: covid19media@sanantonio.gov
Laura Mayes

Rudy Arispe: (210) 207-8172

SAN ANTONIO (January 3, 2022) - Today, Metro Health upgraded its COVID-19 risk level to the “severe” level. The risk level was calculated based on an increased stress on the local hospital system, daily case rate, two-week increase in cases and hospital trends. This week, the positivity rate is 27.3 percent. The highly transmissible Omicron variant is spreading in the area and residents are encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask, practice social distancing, get vaccinated and obtain their booster shots when eligible. Omicron is expected to account for 90% to 100% of cases in the county. Today, Metro Health reported 3,894 new cases of COVID-19. There were two deaths reported today. There are 506 patients in local hospitals, 22 of whom are pediatric patients.

“Our community is undergoing a surge of COVID-19 cases due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant, and we all need to continue take precautions to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “While the case numbers are surging, the data indicate that vaccines are preventing severe illness. Vaccines remain the best defense against any variant of COVID-19. Get vaccinated, wear a mask and stay home if you are sick.”

“We announced last Friday with University Health, the County’s hospital district that we were going into a critical situation with hospitals. We have asked for 400 nurses and will be asking for more. People need to help us avoid filling up our hospitals by taking precautions such as masking up, sanitation and avoiding gatherings,” said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.

While there is enough testing capacity in the community, the City has requested expanded capacity at the State’s testing sites. The City has also authorized additional testing sites to be established over the coming days. The City will provide an update to the media when additional sites become available to the public. No-cost community testing sites are listed at covid19.sanantonio.gov.

“The COVID-19 risk levels are there to inform our decisions as a community but remember that we have the tools we need to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this virus,” said Claude A. Jacob, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Director. “Getting vaccinated is your best protection from severe infection and potential hospitalization. Please continue to wear a mask, regardless of your vaccination status and encourage others to get vaccinated or obtain their booster when eligible.”

Metro Health also stresses the importance of testing and what to do when you get tested.

• Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.
• A positive self-test result means that you have an infection and should avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading disease to someone else.
• A negative self-test result means that you may not have an infection. Repeating the test with at least 24 hours between tests will increase the confidence that you are not infected.
• Ask your healthcare provider if you need help interpreting your test results.

“We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are working to expand testing and other resources as needed. Late last week, the City requested additional federal testing resources from the State. I’d like to thank the community members who have already gotten vaccinated for doing their part to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “If you or someone you know needs assistance finding a test site or getting vaccinated, please call 311.”

Anytime you are near people you don’t live with:

• Wear a mask when not eating or drinking.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Stay six feet apart from others.
• Consider if those around you may be higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions and take extra precautions.

For a list of vaccine pop-up clinics and testing locations, visit covid19.sanantonio.gov or call 311 and select option 8.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.