COVID-19: Texas-Mexico border cases top 1,000

EL PASO, TEXAS – The number of coronavirus cases along the Texas-Mexico border have topped 1,000.

Of the four largest counties, El Paso County has reported 346 cases, Cameron County 239, Webb County 223, and Hidalgo County 217.

Of the smaller border counties, Maverick has 12 cases of COVID-19, Maverick 10, Zapata three and Starr 7, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The DSHS’s tracking of the virus tends to lag so the figures for the smaller counties could be higher.

The numbers quoted above are from cases recorded by public health departments. Health officials believe the actual numbers of COVID-19 are likely much higher. “Some individuals will not report their illness, preferring to ride it out at home,” an unnamed health official told the Rio Grande Guardian.

El Paso County

El Paso County reported 46 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. Two more deaths were reported, bringing the total to four. There are now 61 patients who are hospitalized, and 26 of those hospitalized are currently in ICU.

“We once again are saddened to report two new deaths due to COVID-19, and our hearts go out to the families of these two men,” said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, on behalf of the El Paso city and county health authority. 

“We are also disappointed to report another large increase in the number of positive cases, which further emphasizes the need for the community to strictly adhere to the Stay Home, Work Safe Order.”

On Monday, El Paso City Council voted extend the City’s Disaster Declaration until May 17, to include the Stay Home, Work Safe orders.

“The Governor extended his Disaster Declaration to May 30, and to ensure compliance with State law requiring 30 day extensions, the City Council renewed the Emergency Declaration and Stay Home Order an additional 30 days. Originally issued on March 17, the order will now continue until May 17,” said El Paso Mayor Dee Margo. 

“Today’s heartbreaking report of two additional deaths and 46 new cases proves that we cannot let our guard down. We need to protect the health and wellness of our residents, especially our most vulnerable loved ones.”

Cameron County 

The county with the next highest number of cases is Cameron County. Its health department reported 23 new cases on Tuesday, raising the total number of cases to 239. Of the 239 cases, 73 individuals have recovered.

“As cases continue to be reported, we continue to see links between families,” said Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. “Although sheltering in place may be challenging, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that everyone contributes by doing their part in practicing physical distancing.”

Here are details on the new cases in Cameron County:

Webb County

The county with the third highest number of COVID-19 castes along the border is Webb. 

The City of Laredo and Webb County on Tuesday confirmed an additional 17 cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the city’s total number of confirmed cases to 223.

According to Health Department Director Dr. Hector Gonzalez, 23 patients are currently hospitalized, with 12 currently under intensive care.

Hidalgo County

Hidalgo County is currently fourth above Texas-Mexico border counties for the number of COVID-19 cases.

Nineteen more people in Hidalgo County have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez announced on Tuesday.

That brings the total number of positive cases in the county to 217 people.

Cortez said seven of the active cases have been released from isolation. Individuals are released if they have shown no symptoms for ten days and have had no fever for three days. That brings the total number of released patients to 37.

Of the active cases, 33 are in the hospital, Cortez said, including six in intensive care units. All new positive cases and the families in their household have been ordered to isolate themselves in their homes.

“This is not the time to relax our community controls” Cortez said, in a ten-minute video message he delivered on Tuesday.

Cortez said the next week to ten days will be critical in assessing early efforts at slowing the spread of this strain of coronavirus. This is particularly true because he received reports of heavy travel leaving Hidalgo County to other parts of the state and to Mexico over the Easter weekend. The return of those travelers may have an impact on the rate of infection. 

Of all Texas counties with a population of more than 300,000, Hidalgo County has the lowest rate of infection per 100,000 people.

Here the new cases in Hidalgo County:

Tamaulipas

Tamaulipas Secretary of Health Gloria Molina Gamboa announced four new positive cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Editor’ Note: The main image accompanying the above news story shows a healthcare worker in Tamaulipas. (Photo: State of Tamaulipas)

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