1 new El Paso virus death reported as emergency alert goes out about vaccination effort

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso public health officials reported one new Covid-19 death on Saturday, a man in his 60s, bringing the total number of pandemic deaths to 2,508.

Officials also reported 150 additional confirmed virus cases, for a cumulative total of 133,270 cases - with 2,412 active infections currently.

Saturday's data release came as officials sent out an emergency alert to El Pasoans on their cell phones announcing an impromptu vaccination effort at Grace Gardens until 3 p.m Saturday.

The alert said both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were available for those ages 16 and up on a first-come, first-serve basis with no waiting.

As of Saturday morning, officials said 618,560 Covid-19 vaccine doses had been administered in El Paso. It's a number they hope to grow as the county looks toward the potential of reaching herd immunity. At a Friday news conference, city and county leaders expressed concern that as the local vaccine allotment continues to grow, the demand of some to get vaccinated has waned.

To see the health department's complete Covid-19 data, visit EPstrong.org. To sign up for vaccination and get an immediate appointment, visit EPCovidVaccine.com,