Leaders step up restrictions as El Paso sees another record-high for Covid-19 infections
EL PASO — City and county leaders here announced Thursday that they will increase restrictions for restaurants and some businesses as they report another record high for cases of the novel coronavirus.
El Paso’s public health department reported 717 new cases Thursday, setting a new daily record for the county. The county’s hospitalization rate, the percentage of hospital beds being used for COVID-19 patients, has also jumped to 28 percent. Of the 438 patients hospitalized, 111 are in intensive care, according to El Paso statistics.
Under the new restrictions, which begin Friday, nonessential businesses will be scaled back to allow 50% of their stated capacity, and restaurants can only offer take-out service after 9 p.m. Visits to nursing homes and elderly care facilities are put on hold, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people or fewer. The new guidelines also temporarily ban indoor sports and spectators from outdoor sporting events, with the exception of collegiate sports at the University of Texas El Paso and the city’s minor league soccer team, the El Paso Locomotive FC.
The new measures come about a week after Mayor Dee Margo and other officials pleaded with community members to shake off “COVID fatigue” and continue to practice safety measures. Margo said Thursday during a news conference that he had no choice but to impose the restrictions.
Read more: https://www.brownsvilleherald.com/2020/10/15/leaders-step-restrictions-el-paso-sees-another-record-high-covid-19-infections/