El Paso’s virus death toll doubles & nearly 50 new cases occur in a day

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso public health leaders announced two more coronavirus deaths on Tuesday evening, doubling the county's death toll to four.

The two were both men in their 70s with underlying health conditions, officials said. It was not immediately known if either man was an employee of the El Paso Psychiatric Center, which earlier Tuesday had a worker die who tested positive for the virus.

El Paso officials also reported 46 new virus cases Tuesday evening, bringing the county’s total number to 346. Of those cases, 61 patients were currently hospitalized, with 26 listed in intensive care.

“We once again are saddened to report two new deaths due to COVID-19, and our hearts go out to the families of these two men,” said City/County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza. “We are also disappointed to report another large increase in the number of positive cases, which further emphasizes the need for the community to strictly adhere to the Stay Home, Work Safe Order.”

Mayor Dee Margo, who along with City Council, extended the stay-at-home order earlier this week to May 17, called the new deaths "heartbreaking."

He warned El Pasoans that "we cannot let our guard down" by failing to follow social distancing measure and other precautions like wearing face coverings when out in public for essential errands.

"We need to protect the health and wellness of our residents, especially our most vulnerable loved ones,” the mayor said.

While 44 El Pasoans were listed as recovered on Tuesday, that number was exceeded by the additional cases that had been confirmed in just a day.

Of those diagnosed with the virus in El Paso County, officials said the cases were almost equally divided: 175 women and 171 men.

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