El Paso surges with 148 new virus cases for weekend total of 310
EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso public health officials announced 148 new coronavirus cases Sunday morning, contributing to a weekend surge that reached 310.
While a bit less than Saturday's reported 162 cases, both days ranked among the top five of the pandemic for daily infection increases. Total cases to date now stand at 4,488.
Of that caseload, 1,193 were active cases while 3,175 people were listed as having recovered from the virus.
"Public Health staff have advised that there are no clusters associated with this spike. Once all investigations are completed staff will be able to determine if this spike might be due to Memorial Day," said Soraya Ayub Palacios, a spokeswoman for the El Paso health department.
There were no new deaths tallied to start the new week, which followed one of the deadliest weeks since the virus arrived in El Paso. Last week there were 20 fatalities recorded, bringing the total thus far to 120.
The hospitalization rate dropped just a bit Sunday to its lowest level in a week. With 102 El Pasoans currently hospitalized, just over half (52) were listed in intensive care with 19 patients requiring ventilators.
