San Antonio Mayor Declares Public Health Emergency Over Coronavirus

The declaration activated San Antonio’s emergency management plan. It will remain in effect for at least seven days, beginning on Monday. It may not continue beyond that seven-day limit “unless continued or renewed by the City Council,” according to the declaration document.

By Bonnie PetrieMarch 3, 2020 10:10 amCoronavirus, Health & Science, Partner Organizations, Texas Newsroom, Texas Public Radio

Nexu Science Communication via Reuters

A computer image created by Nexu Science Communication, together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to COVID-19.

From Texas Public Radio:

The mayor of San Antonio declared a public health emergency Monday over the presence of coronavirus in the Alamo City. He also announced that the city will no longer permit people quarantined at Lackland Air Force Base to travel into and through San Antonio. He emphasized that the public did not face any greater risk.

The announcement came only hours after federal health officials admitted that a patient released from federal quarantine tested positive for the virus and spent two hours at one of the city’s busiest shopping centers before being recalled into quarantine. On Monday afternoon, mall officials announced it was closing its doors for 24 hours for decontamination.

Ron Nirenberg’s declaration explained that he has “determined that extraordinary and immediate measures must be taken to respond quickly, prevent and alleviate the suffering of people exposed to and those infected with the virus, as well as those that could potentially be infected or impacted by COVID-19.”

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