‘Virus is spreading rapidly’ in Juárez: Death toll now at 4

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico -- Mexican health officials said Tuesday that the coronavirus is now "spreading rapidly" in the city of Juárez as the death toll doubled in a day to four.

The latest victims Tuesday were identified as 35-year-old woman with asthma and a 40-year-old woman with hypertension. On Monday, two Juarez men who were diagnosed with the virus died.

Arturo Valenzuela Zorrilla, medical director in the Northern Zone of Mexico, said Juarez had risen to 14 confirmed cases - which was more than half of the 24 total infections reported in Chihuahua state.

Other cases in Chihuahua state include six in Chihuahua city, as well as one each in Cuauhtémoc, Namiquipa, Ojinaga and Bachíniva.

A majority of those who have tested positive for the virus have required hospitalization, according to Valenzuela Zorrilla.

Officials said "the virus is spreading rapidly" and the only way to prevent further infections is for residents to practice recommended hygiene and isolation measures.

Nationally, Valenzuela Zorrilla said that Mexico had a total of 2,439 confirmed cases, which increased by 296 new infections over the past 24 hours.