Bexar County leaders urge community to remain vigilant over the spread of COVID-19 over Labor Day weekend

labor day weekend

SAINT ANTHONY – Ahead of Labor Day weekend, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Thursday urged residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

“Remember again that the choices you make over this holiday weekend will determine how long this wave of COVID-19 will last,” Nirenberg said. “So please do your part to help us contain this virus. “

Nirenberg recommended that families have individually wrapped meals and snacks at gatherings to reduce the risk of infection.

“Regardless of your vaccination status, hide around others, wearing a mask is always the easiest thing for anyone to slow the spread of this virus,” Nirenberg said.

Authorities said no curfew would be imposed during the bank holiday weekend.

See today’s COVID-19 numbers and what to know about the latest increase in San Antonio and surrounding areas here.

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Hospitalizations remain high

Although overall hospitalizations have declined, Nirenberg said there were still 195 new COVID-19 hospital admissions in the past 24 hours. Nirenberg said admissions had “stayed near these record numbers every day.”

About 85% of people hospitalized are not vaccinated, Nirenberg said.

Part of the decrease in hospitalizations is due to the increased use of monoclonal antibody treatments like Regeneron, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said.

“Until the number of incoming patients starts to drop dramatically, I think we still have a problem,” Wolff said.

Hospitals have also tried to bring certain medical services to patients at their homes to reduce admissions.

Flu season

Flu season is fast approaching and will begin on October 1. With COVID-19 cases still on the rise, authorities have recommended families get the flu shot as soon as possible to reduce their chances of getting sick.

“Don’t expect a high number of (flu) cases in the community. The best time to get vaccinated is before cases occur, ”said Dr Anita Kurian, deputy director of Metro Health.

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Kurian said the city would start receiving flu vaccine deliveries around the end of August and start administering it in September. Other medical providers may have already started offering the flu shot, Kurian said.

If flu cases increase, experts worry about a potential “triple threat” amid the pandemic with COVID-19, influenza and RSV.

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