'Protect yourself' - San Antonio's COVID numbers trend positive, but mayor asks for vigilance FacebookTwitterEmail Visitors wearing face masks leave the Alamo on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in San Antonio. Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is lifting a mask mandate and lifting business capacity limits next week.Eric Gay /Associated Press San Antonio and Bexar County officials reported two new coronavirus deaths Thursday, along with 242 newly diagnosed cases. The numbers of cases and patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have been falling steadily since a peak in mid-January. Gov. Greg Abbott cited the trend in announcing earlier this week that Texans will no longer be required to wear masks starting next Wednesday and that businesses can resume operating at 100 percent capacity. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff both denounced the move as premature and risky.