San Antonio COVID Threat Is 'Severe' And Hospitals Are Stretched Thin But Officials' Hands Are Tied When It Comes To Mask, Vaccine Mandates

The San Antonio-area COVID threat level increased to "severe" last week and an emergency alert was issued to warn residents as the Delta variant surges across Texas, causing a steep spike in hospitalizations of people who haven't been vaccinated.Local leaders recently asked Gov. Abbott to reconsider his mask-enforcement ban — especially for schools, to protect students returning for in-person instruction — and to provide help for hospitals amid a dramatic increase in new admissions. Those requests were denied. What else can local officials do to curb the Delta surge and address hospital capacity issues?