As El Paso virus cases rise to 46, new restrictions being finalized & small biz relief fund created

EL PASO, Texas -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in El Paso County grew to 46 as of Monday evening as officials said they were working on "more stringent" restrictions to be unveiled Tuesday in an effort to contain infections from further spreading.

Officials announced at a news conference that there were six new cases. Earlier in the day, two of those testing positive were identified as a City of El Paso firefighter and a Los Palmas Medical Center doctor.

Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza said three-quarters of all the virus cases in the county involve young adults - who he urged to follow the existing stay-at-home order.

Because some El Pasoans have failed to follow the stay-at-home guidelines, Mayor Dee Margo indicated that "further restrictions" to the slow the virus' spread would be announced on Tuesday.

County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said recreation and construction were particular areas of concern to be addressed; he also said additional definitions of what constitutes "essential" business and travel would be forthcoming.

Ocaranza did offer a piece of encouraging news Monday evening, noting that the initial patients diagnosed with the virus a couple weeks ago are now "out of isolation and doing well." City officials indicated about 700 tests had been conducted to date between the health department's lab and drive-thru testing efforts.

Also at the news conference, officials announced a small business emergency relief program managed by LiftFund, a nonprofit organization that helps finance new small business and startup companies.

The city and county have each approved $1 million in funding for the new program, which will allow eligible businesses to apply for zero interest loans and some grants.

Businesses can receive a loan of up to $25,000 and a grant of up to $5,000. LiftFund will start taking applications beginning Wednesday on its website at www.LiftFund.com.

You can watch Monday evening's entire news conference in the video player below.