San Antonio top doctor says there are fewer COVID-19 patients in the ER

SAN ANTONIO - One of San Antonio's top medical officials is speaking out about what he's seeing now that we're about six months into the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Ralph Riviello, the chair of emergency medicine from UT Health San Antonio, says he is seeing fewer COVID-19 patients in the emergency room at University Hospital.

During a typical shift, Riviello says, "Nowadays we're down to about 15 to 20 patients a day." About a a month ago, he says he would see about 30 to 40 patients a day.

He also adds that children are among those cases, about a handful a day, adding that he has not seen a surge in pediatric patients.

When it comes to sending children back to school, Dr. Riviello says, "I'd really have to think long and hard about it. I think that I would have to have a lot of assurances that capabilities of masking, social distancing. How they're going to handle recess and lunch; universal masking with the students and the teachers and what other protective measures are in place."

Riviello hopes screening measures in schools will also help to keep children safe.

We will be interviewing local doctors over the coming weeks to get answers to your questions about COVID-19. If you have a question, email Alexis Del Cid or contact her on Facebook.