5 new virus deaths and 169 new cases reported in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas - Public health officials announced Thursday morning that Covid-19 has killed an additional five people in El Paso County.

That brings the death toll during the pandemic to 285.

The latest victims were three men in their 70's, one man in his 80's and a woman in her 80's. All of them had underlying health conditions.

Officials also reported 169 new cases. That means there have been a total of 15,596 confirmed cases in the county since the virus outbreak began.

They also said another 159 people recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 11,566. Although research shows some recovered persons may suffer longer-term health problems as a result of having been ill from the virus.

Officials said El Paso has 3,745 cases that are currently considered active.

They indicated 248 patients are presently hospitalized due to the virus, with 89 of them in the intensive care unit and 35 on ventilators.