El Paso officials consider another curfew for the holidays after deadliest day of pandemic

EL PASO, Texas -- During a briefing Thursday on El Paso's Covid-19 situation, County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said he was "assessing the possibility of a partial curfew" for the Christmas and New Year's holiday period aimed at once again targeting social gatherings.

His remarks came on what was the deadliest day of the pandemic for El Paso, with a record added 44 virus-related deaths being confirmed on Thursday and Mayor Dee Margo saying "there will be more."

Both leaders were encouraged by declining case and hospitalization numbers, and Samaniego said he believed the curfew enacted during the Thanksgiving holiday may have played a role in the current reductions.

Responding to the announcement that an FDA advisory panel has endorsed Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine for possible final approval, Samaniego said the vaccine "is not a panacea, but rather is a piece of the puzzle."

Health department director Angela Mora said once Pfizer receives final approval, El Paso city and county anticipate getting initial virus shipments in about 48 hours. Plans call for those initial allotments to be utilized for health workers and nursing home residents.

You can watch the entire briefing in the video player below.