‘Life or death situation’: El Paso has 125 virus cases, mayor encourages face masks & temperature checks

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso County's number of confirmed virus cases jumped by ten to 125 on Monday, officials said at a news conference.

"More than half the cases we have are young adults," said City/County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza, who worried that the younger population could infect older people who are more susceptible to dying from the virus.

"It's a life or death situation," maintained Mayor Dee Margo.

He encouraged residents to wear face coverings, but noted it was only a recommendation - not a requirement. However, he said the 'stay home' order remained mandatory and called it "critical to this community."

The mayor also strongly advised all essential businesses still in operation to conduct temperature checks of their employees at the start of the work day - and send home anyone with signs of potential fever.

"We're on the cusp of suppressing this," Margo said of the virus, but only if people continue to remain home over the next couple weeks and limit themselves to only essential outings.

"We're 2 1/2 weeks away from the peak," Margo explained, "and we hope and pray to get through this with no death."

Added Ocaranza: "There is one goal -- saving lives."

Of the 125 cases, Ocaranza said 27 were currently hospitalized and 10 of those in intensive care; 18 patients had recovered from the virus.

At least 1,500 residents had been tested for the virus to date, officials indicated.

Below is the latest case locator map and demographic information for those cases that came back positive.