El Paso reports 46 new virus cases, top doctor warns of Mother’s Day ‘danger’

EL PASO, Texas -- The El Paso Department of Public Health reported 46 new coronavirus cases on Saturday evening, as significant daily double-digit infection increases continued, bringing the county’s total to 1,322.

For the first time in a few days, there were no new deaths to have occurred; the death toll remained at 32.

With a few exceptions, the majority of El Pasoans who have died from the virus have been senior citizens, prompting the county's top doctor to warn of "danger" on the eve of Mother's Day.

“Tomorrow is a day that we celebrate our mothers, but we have to remember that being in close contact with them places them in danger of getting this deadly virus," said City/County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza.

Because "seniors are more susceptible to the dangers of this deadly virus," Ocaranza urged El Pasoans: "Do not go visit your mom in-person. Do not have physical contact with her, but find different and creative ways to connect and celebrate with her.”

Hospitalizations due to the virus held nearly steady on Saturday, with 82 patients being cared for. Nearly half, 40 of them, were listed in intensive care.

With more than 12,000 tests performed to date, the rate of those testing positive remained around 11%. Of those diagnosed with the virus, slightly more, 672, had recovered as of Saturday versus the number of active cases at 618.

But Dr. Ocaranza made clear that despite the recoveries surpassing active cases, "the virus that causes Covid-19 is still circulating in our community." He again reiterated his repeated calls for the city and county's social distancing and face covering guidelines to be followed.

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

The map shows the amount of positive cases by zip codes, with the number of cases in red dots: 79821 (4), 79835 (39), 79836 (10), 79838 (13), 79849 (23), 79853 (23 ), 79901 (12), 79902 (15), 79903 (44), 79904 (39), 79905 (64), 79907 (64), 79911 (8), 79912 (97), 79915 (59), 79922 (6 ), 79924 (67), 79925 (53), 79927 (74), 79928 (92), 79930 (39), 79932 (55), 79934 (32), 79935 (31), 79936 (170), 79938 (189).