778 new COVID-19 cases in Bexar County, officials ask for help from BAMC

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) –  San Antonio Metro Health reported 778 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, bringing the total count since the pandemic began to 15,880.   Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced five more deaths, bringing that total to 137.

The number of coronavirus patients in hospitals increased to 1,235 with 389 in ICU and 221 using ventilators.

“People rely on our hospital system for pregnancy, for surgeries, for trauma, for many other things besides COVID-19 treatment, so when we talk about the capacity being stretched, that’s a concern for the entire community,” said Nirenberg.

Additional nurses continue to arrive in San Antonio to help staff hospital beds.  Dr. Colleen Bridger, interim director of San Antonio Metro Health, said the field hospital at Freeman Expo Hall would be used as a last resort.