El Paso sees 15 more virus deaths, sets new record for active cases
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso Department of Public Health reported 15 new coronavirus-related deaths Friday, elevating the death toll to 983.
At the current rate, El Paso will surpass the grim 1,000 death mark during the weekend. Almost half of the death toll has come since the beginning of November.
The latest fatalities included 13 men and two women ranging in age from their 40's to their 90's, all of them with underlying conditions:
- 1 man in his 40s
- 1 man in his 50s
- 2 men in their 60s
- 2 women in their 60s
- 3 men in their 70s
- 4 men in their 80s
- 2 men in their 90s
Health officials also reported 570 new virus cases, plus 39 delayed cases on Friday.
As a result, the total number of active infections increased to 37,840, a new all-time high.
At a briefing late Thursday, health officials indicated a potential spike in cases stemming from Thanksgiving gatherings may be looming in the near future.
"Traditionally, the holidays will trigger a spike. And that's what we're gonna be seeing, a rise in the cases. Hopefully not, but we might start seeing a rise in the cases by this weekend or early next week," said El Paso City/County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza.
Since the start of the pandemic there have been 89,100 confirmed cases in El Paso, with 49,651 reported recoveries. Although doctors note that some recovered persons may face long-term health issues stemming from having been infected.
For a complete look at El Paso's Covid-19 data, click here.
