El Paso tops 3,300 virus cases as hospitalizations drop to lowest level in 3 weeks

EL PASO, Texas — As El Paso County topped 3,300 confirmed cases of coronavirus on Sunday, news emerged that the hospitalization rate reached it's lowest level in nearly three weeks.

Health department data showed there were 78 new cases as of Sunday morning, bringing the total number of infections during the pandemic to 3,376. More than two-thirds of those infected, or 2,266 El Pasoans, have recovered from the virus.

No additional deaths had occurred as of Sunday morning, leaving the fatality count from the virus at 90.

The number of El Pasoans in the hospital due to virus-related illness was down to 87, which is the lowest patient tally since May 18. Currently 53 patients are listed in intensive care, with 35 requiring the use of a ventilator.

The hospitalization decline comes amidst plans to begin reopening El Paso's parks on Monday as City Council also receives a briefing on proposals for further re-openings of other facilities including museums, libraries and the zoo.

The health department estimates over 43,100 virus tests have been conducted to date in El Paso County.