El Paso has 2 more virus deaths as total cases near 400; safety order enforcement increasing

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso city and health officials announced two more coronavirus deaths on Wednesday evening, as the number of confirmed cases neared 400.

Mayor Dee Margo said the deaths of two men, ages 52 and 82 and both with underlying medical conditions, brought the death toll to six.

El Paso also recorded 47 new virus cases in the past day, taking total cases to 393.

City/County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza said there were now 32 cases reported at a local healthcare facility, which he did not reveal. However, ABC-7 has identified it as the El Paso Psychiatric Center, where at least one staffer who tested positive has died.

Ocaranza said 4,866 people have been tested in the county. The majority of the tests have been done by private labs -- 969 were done by the Public Health Department.

In addition to talking about the latest numbers, officials also outlined stepped up enforcement action of the city/county "stay home, work safe" orders.

As of Wednesday night, Fire Chief Mario D’Agostino said calls to 3-1-1 about order violations will result in information immediately being taken over the phone and enforcement officers - who have issued 683 warnings and 17 citations to date - will be dispatched.

“People need to realize that things will continue getting worse in El Paso if they don’t adhere to the stay home, work safe orders,” Ocaranza said.

“Our numbers continue to rise," he explained. "If we don’t stay at home, practice social distancing, and wear the recommended face coverings when in public, it is only a matter of time before one of our loved ones is struck by Covid-19 and we do not want more devastated families."

Below is the latest case locator map and other demographic information on the virus outbreak as provided by the health department.