EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — The City of El Paso Public Health Department is reporting three additional COVID-19 deaths Thursday, April 30, bringing the total number of deaths to 21. The patients include a man in his 50s, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s, all of who had underlying health conditions.

El Paso is also reporting 37 new COVID-19 cases bringing the county’s total number to 924. To-date 397 people have recovered from COVID-19; consequently, there are 506 active cases within the county.

Positive cases in El Paso County include 486 women and 438 men. There are now 53 patients who are hospitalized, and 31 of those hospitalized are currently in ICU.

The map shows the amount of positive COVID-19 cases by ZIP codes and the number of cases in parenthesis: 79821 (2), 79835 (21), 79836 (5), 79838 (8), 79849 (18), 79853 (15), 79901 (1), 79902 (10), 79903 (35), 79904 (24), 79905 (50), 79907 (45), 79911 (6), 79912 (76), 79915 (36), 79922 (5), 79924 (38), 79925 (36), 79927 (49), 79928 (64), 79930 (27), 79932 (35), 79934 (27), 79935 (26), 79936 (135), 79938 (130).

El Paso leaders also amended the local emergency directive on Thursday, April 30.

Due in large part to the ongoing upward trend in positive cases, Mayor Dee Margo, County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza are amending the current order to make face coverings mandatory and prohibit all public and private social gatherings of any number of people occurring outside or inside a single household or dwelling unit.

A spokesperson with the city said no fines will be given to people not wearing a face mask per the governor's direction however businesses can mandate customers wearing face coverings in order to enter their facility.

The city spokesperson said the governor's order prohibits cities to fine people for not wearing a face mask but it does not prohibit the city from mandating the use of face coverings. City officials said they are mandating the face masks, making it a civic duty because there is an increase in cases but said they will not enforce it.

All individuals over the age of two, are required to wear some form of face covering over their nose and mouth, while outside of their home or residence. A face covering may include cloth masks such as bandanas, scarves and neck gaiters that fit snugly but comfortable against the face secured with ties or ear loops.

City officials also said gatherings at restaurants are prohibited. Restaurants and businesses must follow the governor's order such as allowing 25 percent capacity along with social distancing guidelines. Businesses can tell customers that if they are not wearing a face mask they can't go inside the establishment.

Parents and guardians of children over the age of two and under the age of ten shall be responsible for appropriately masking children when outside their residence.

A face covering is not required on anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or exercising outdoors and not within 6 feet of any other individual not from the same household.

Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for maintaining 6-feet social distancing and hand-washing, as these remain important steps to slowing the spread of the virus.

It is also recommended that the face coverings be cleaned daily. Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth when removing their face covering and wash their hands immediately after removing the covering.

City officials also said outdoor and sport activity is allowed on an individual basis only, unless participants are members of the same household. However, no more than four members of the same household may participate.

“We are disappointed to report another three deaths due to COVID-19, and our hearts go out to their families. The deaths we have seen are mostly made up of the most vulnerable and there is a strong correlation between the Easter break and the spike in positive cases,” said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, City/County Health Authority. “Mother’s Day is just around the corner. We want to remind everyone that gatherings with anyone who is not in your immediate household means that you are placing your loved ones—your mothers and grandmothers—at risk of contracting the virus. We need everyone to please take this serious and take care of each other.”

The Office of Emergency Management has been working with the Texas Department of Emergency Management to provide additional testing sites for the county’s rural communities. The dates and locations are as follow:

May 12

• Fabens: Fabens Fire Station-16001 Socorro Rd., Fabens, TX
• Montana Vista: Montana Vista Fire Station 2, 5411 Paso View Dr., El Paso, TX

May 13

• San Elizario: San Elizario Fire Station-1415 San Antonio Rd., San Elizario, TX
• Horizon: Horizon First Baptist Church; 12018 Darrington Rd., Horizon, TX
• Vinton: West Valley Fire Department: 510 Vinton Rd, Anthony, TX

Citizens are asked to make an appointment 24 hours prior to the testing date either online at TXCOVIDTEST.ORG or by calling 512-883-2400.

Testing is open to all regardless of location of residence. The goal is to test 60 individuals per site; however, additional testing may be available depending on demand and availability.

The time of the testing will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If residents do not call or register for an appointment, they can still show up at the site and will be instructed to either register on their phone or call the number to schedule accordingly.

Residents are encouraged to report non-compliance by calling the police department non-emergency at (915) 832-4400 or 311.

The 21-COVID hotline is operational from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For referral to services, contact 211 and select option six. For more information, visit www.epstrong.org.

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