E.L. PASO, Texas – El Paso city, county and health leaders held a briefing Thursday afternoon to provide an update on the community’s Covid-19 situation.
They introduced the word warning to avoid family gatherings and house parties on Labor Day holiday weekend, with reminders to comply with state and local health orders.
“Every time we are on holiday, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, the fourth day of July, we have a positive attitude due to the lack of discipline in family gatherings,” said Mayor de Margo.
Margo explained that with 0% Hispanic counties, El Paso is less likely to have a minority population, especially during the flu season.
County Judge Ricardo Samnigo was also quick to reflect on past surgeries of the coronavirus bound over the three-day weekend.
“Our community here in El Paso, we don’t need another boom and there is always the possibility of a boom during one of these holidays,” Samnigo said.
The optimism that no one died from the coronavirus was angered by El Paso on Wednesday with reports of eight additional Covid-19 deaths on Thursday.
There have also been 72 new virus cases reported and still 107 additional deaths “under investigation.” But the number for hospital admissions and ICU patients was low.
City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Okranza said that if El Paso adheres to protocols such as social distance, wears masks and tests, dealing with the upcoming flu season could be easier.
“If we come together as a community and protect each other together, we will be able to get through this winter season safely,” Karna said.
Okranza told ABC-7 that Thursday’s briefing came a day after officials knew there was a risk, but he was still “excited” to get El Paso children back to school classrooms.
