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Metro Health is reporting an increase in its COVID-19 positivity rate of 5.8%, up from 3.8% last week, as well as an uptick in cases. The seven-day rolling average has increased to 126 new cases reported each day from 104 last week. To date, Metro health is reporting 228,638 cases and 3,635 deaths.
Over the past several weeks, the number of individuals being tested for COVID-19 has dropped significantly by 61%. Metro Health wants to remind individuals experiencing symptoms that are consistent with COVID to seek testing. This includes individuals who are fully vaccinated.
“Given that COVID-19 is still present in our community, and we are experiencing an increase in positivity level and cases, Metro Health is encouraging individuals to get vaccinated, especially those who have not completed the vaccine series,” said Claude A. Jacob, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Director.
As a reminder, it is never too late to complete the vaccine series and Metro Health stresses that vaccination helps prevent future hospitalizations and severe consequences from COVID-19.
Metro Health is appealing to the more than 100,000 Bexar County residents (9%) who received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but who have not yet returned for their second dose. To be protected from this novel coronavirus, a person must be fully vaccinated, either by having received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“As we see an increase in the number of people who are testing positive for COVID-19, we want to stress that it’s more important than ever to make sure you are fully vaccinated to avoid getting the virus and becoming seriously ill or requiring hospitalization,” said Dr. Anita Kurian, Metro Health Assistant Director of the Communicable Disease Division.
For anyone who needs a vaccine and for those who still need to get their second Pfizer vaccine dose, the City of San Antonio and the Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) will host a SA Vaccine Day event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 10 at the AT&T Center. Mayor Ron Nirenberg has designated July 10 as SA Vaccine Day to celebrate and thank all those who have been fully vaccinated, and to encourage people who haven’t yet received a vaccine to make the time to do so.
During the vaccine event, a 10-game Spurs season package will be given away. The Spurs food truck will also be on site, and the San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department will provide games as well as an information booth. SS&E will also give a free voucher to a San Antonio FC soccer game to all attendees.
For a list of other vaccine pop-up clinics or to find a testing location, visit covid19.sanantonio.gov.