El Paso officials postpone their announcement about new virus restrictions

EL PASO, Texas -- City and county officials Tuesday afternoon postponed their anticipated announcement of tougher restrictions following confirmed cases of community spread of the coronavirus in El Paso, saying they needed time to review a new order issued earlier in the day by Texas' governor banning non-essential activities.

A statement issued by the city and county read as follows:

"The virtual press conference scheduled for 5 p.m. will be postponed for later this week in order to allow City, County and Health Officials an opportunity to review Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Orders relating to COVID-19,"

Governor (Greg) Abbott issued another Executive Order regarding essential activities. In order to ensure compliance with the Governor’s order, Mayor Dee Margo, Judge Ricardo Samaniego, and Dr. Hector Ocaranza decided to postpone issuing any additional restrictions today.

The existing Stay Home, Work Safe orders issued on March 23 remain in effect."

Six new virus cases were confirmed on Monday, bringing the total for El Paso County to 46, not including the seven known additional cases reported at Fort Bliss.

Margo had confirmed that multiple recent cases were the result of community spread, and he said El Pasoans have not done enough to avoid contact with others.

"People need to understand we're up to 46 cases, it is community spread and we've got to make darn sure we don't have a death," he said. "This is serious. We hope its temporary, if we can get it controlled under social distancing - but until we do that, we can not even think about recovery."

Ocaranza has indicated the Borderland may reach a peak in cases in the next four to six weeks.