City Officials Announce Third COVID-19 Death in San Antonio
March 26, 2020 - San Antonio
A new battle on the horizon. On Wednesday night, officials confirmed 84 COVID-19 positive cases and a third virus-related death in San Antonio. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
Wednesday night, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County jointly confirmed a third coronavirus death in the area. The patient, a woman in her 50s, is reported to have had chronic underlying health issues. The total number of COVID-19 infections in San Antonio is now at 84.
The patient was receiving treatment at Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, which is where she passed away.
This announcement comes a day after the second San Antonio-area death was made public. Laurie Ramirez, age 44, was being treated for COVID-19 at University Hospital at the time she died. She was an active member of St. Luke's Catholic Church on the city's Northwest Side. Her 25-year-old son also contracted the virus and is currently receiving treatment.
"Laurie was a wonderful woman who had a sincere heart. states the GoFundMe page that was set up to cover Ramirez’s funeral expenses. "We are saddened that COVID-19 was the reason of her early departure here on Earth. She will definitely be missed by many.”
The city’s first coronavirus-related death took place on March 21. The woman, a patient in her 80s, was under treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center. She also had a history of previous health issues, according to a City spokeswoman.
Health experts around the world have recommended that individuals in the high-risk group, meaning people who are 60 and over, and those with a compromised immune system, should take extra precaution to avoid exposure to the virus.
RELATED: Mayor Nirenberg and Judge Wolff Issue Stay Home, Work Safe Orders Amid Coronavirus Crisis
In an effort to counter the spread of the virus, government officials continue to instruct residents to self-quarantine and follow the guidelines set forth by health experts.
"Stay home unless you must go out," advised San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Sunday night. "We can all play a role in saving lives through social distancing and healthy behaviors. Together we will overcome this challenge.”
On Monday, Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff responded to the rise of confirmed COVID-19 cases by issuing a mandatory Stay Home, Work Safe order that went into effect Tuesday night. Residents have been directed to remain in their homes unless running any of the essential errands listed on the declarations list of “allowed activities.”
As of Thursday morning, Harris County has recorded 134 coronavirus cases. Among Texas cities, Houston has the second-highest number of COVID-19 infections behind Dallas. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
"It is very important for our community to continue to take precautions, practice safe distancing, stay at home when you feel sick, and wash your hands often," said Wolff. "We are working hard to slow the spread of this virus and are keeping the interests of Bexar County residents, and our families first and foremost.”
Among today’s 84 confirmed cases reported by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health), 36 are related to travel outside the San Antonio area, a dozen infections have been through close contact with a someone previously diagnosed with COVID-19 (as in the case of Ramirez and her son), and 27 cases have been community spread, which means transmission could not be traced to a viral source. The rising number of community transmissions also gives observers an idea of how quickly the coronavirus is spreading on the local level.
The remaining nine cases are still being investigated by Metro Health.
The 40 to 49 age group is still the highest percentage (24 percent) of reported infections.
As of Thursday morning, 498 tests have been administered by Metro Health. 447 tested negative, 50 have tested positive, and one case came back inconclusive. Although Metro Health reports both negative and positive results, tests given in the private sector are currently only reporting positive results. Negative cases from private labs are not always shared with the Health Department.
RELATED: Metro Health Confirms 6 New COVID-19 Cases As Testing Continues
Residents who believe they have been exposed to the virus and have any of the three major symptoms (fever, dry cough and/or shortness of breath), should contact their doctor or an urgent care clinic for an assessment, and if appropriate, a referral, which is required in order to be tested by Metro Health. Those who cannot afford a doctor’s visit may call the City’s COVID-19 hotline at (210) 207-5779. Their hours are Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This week, the Texas Department of State Health Services upgraded their surveillance method. They are now utilizing ArcGIS Online’s interactive mapping service, the same service used by the World Health Organization.
As of Thursday morning, there are currently 972 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Texas and 12 deaths. There have been a total of 13, 235 tests given; 1758 through public labs and a reported 11,477 tests have been administered through private labs.
Along with the mayor and county judge, Metro Health Director Dawn Emerick is one major players tasked with slowing the spread of COVID-19 in San Antonio. Inspired by a famous Texan, she took to social media last week to share her thoughts on the human side of this global crisis.
“My philosopher [actor Matthew McConaughy] just rebalanced me,” she said via Twitter. “He reminded me to get back to what matters to me deeper [when he said,] ‘There is a green light on the other side of this red light what we’re in right now.’ The other side can’t get here fast enough.”
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer at the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.