El Pasoans urged to obey stay-at-home order as local virus cases surge to 21

EL PASO, Texas -- Public health and emergency operation officials held a press conference Wednesday afternoon where they urged El Pasoans to follow the new stay-at-home order aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus.

At that briefing, they announced there are now 21 confirmed cases of the virus in the city and county. None of those cases involve first-responders, a number of which were among the 100 additional people tested since Monday. (You can watch the entire briefing in the video player at the bottom of this article.)

The total of 21 amounts to a significant increase from the dozen confirmed cases that had existed on Tuesday.

The count does not include seven confirmed cases at Fort Bliss.

"Social distancing continues to be a major concern even in the wake of public health orders for residents to Stay Home, Work Safe," officials said. "Those who leave home should do so by themselves and avoid bringing children or seniors with them. As they make their way in the community they should also maintain a distance of at least six feet from others."

Below is breakdown provided by El Paso health officials that shows the 21 current confirmed cases by age ranges.