San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg continues to push the need for social distancing.
Nirenberg says he spent time with noted mathematician and epidemiologist Juan B. Gutiérrez from UTSA and heard sobering information about COVID-19. Nirenberg said, "COVID-19 is a disease that is being largely spread across the world by asymptomatic carriers who are unwittingly exposing and infecting others. Often as many as 15 others. While most recover on their own, the virus has proven deadly to all categories of people at an alarming rate. It is as contagious as the measles. This is why social distancing and the stay at home orders are absolutely crucial in our efforts to stop the spread. This non-pharmaceutical intervention is our best chance of slowing the spread and reducing the number of infections and deaths. Social distancing pays dividends over a period of weeks. A surge in cases now would not mean that our interventions aren't working because those confirmed today may have been infected weeks ago. We can't look at instant gratification and ignore the reality of the situation."
Nirenberg made the comments as he announced three additional deaths from coronavirus. The three were identified as a man in his 50s, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 80s. All three had underlying health issues. There are now 207 confirmed cases in Bexar County.