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SAN ANTONIO – Local hospitals continue to see more cases of COVID-19 as students head back to the classroom, prompting health experts to warn of a second season for respiratory illnesses.

“We are seeing COVID cases increase here in Bexar County,” said Dr. Jason Bowling, University Health’s chief epidemiologist and a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at UT Health San Antonio.

The rise, which for the third straight year fell during the late summer, indicates to Bowling that public health officials should be considering respiratory illnesses beyond the traditional winter months we associate with the cold and flu.

School closures and staffing strains

The increase in cases, which has been seen across the state, prompted the San Perlita Independent School District in the Rio Grande Valley to temporarily close after a “rapid rise” in COVID-19 cases.

“In a smaller school, it’s easier to run out of people to teach classes,” Bowling said. “If there’s enough disease transmitting that quickly, having a brief break might decrease some of the transmission and reduce the risk of further infections.”

San Antonio-area school districts told KSAT they have not yet seen an increase in illnesses among their staff or students that would warrant a closure.

How to protect yourself, your family

Bowling said there are practical steps you and your family can take to prevent the spread of illnesses.

“Teach your kids good hygiene,” Bowling said. “Hand washing is still a top way to keep from getting sick.”

Bowling said you should wash your hands after using the restroom, before eating and after coughing or sneezing. He also recommended sending children to school with a small bottle of hand sanitizer in case they cannot reach a sink with soap and water.

In addition to washing your hands frequently, Bowling says you should:

• Cover sneezes and coughs with your elbow or a tissue

• Avoid sharing water bottles or utensils

• Stay hydrated and eat well

• Get adequate sleep and avoid screens before bedtime

“And if your kid is sick, please don’t send them to school,” Bowling added. “If they’re having a high fever and a cough, you’re doing your civic duty by not sending them in with the other kids that aren’t sick because we know how rapidly infections can transmit in the school classroom.”

FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine formula for this year on Thursday.

No official recommendation has been provided as to whom the vaccine is for, so Bowling recommends families consult with their doctor or pediatrician about whether it is right for them.

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