Curfew imposed in El Paso amid surge
Residents in the Texas border city of El Paso have been urged to stay home for two weeks as a spike in coronavirus cases overwhelms hospitals, prompting the state to dedicate part of the city’s civic center as a makeshift care center.
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego on Sunday night issued a stay home order with a daily curfew from 10 p. m. to 5 a. m. Violators could be fined $ 500 under the order, but the curfew does not apply to people who are going to or from work or out for essential services, including grocery stores and health care.
“We are in a crisis stage,” said Samaniego, the county’s top elected official.
On Monday, the county reported a record high of 1,443 coronavirus cases. That breaks the daily record of 1,216 cases set Saturday. The county had 853 patients hospitalized for the virus on Monday, up from 786 a day earlier.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said 50 hospital beds will be set up in the convention center and another 50 beds could be added if needed.
The surge in El Paso cases comes as President Trump downplayed the virus’ effect, saying during last week’s presidential debate: “There was a very big spike in Texas, it’s now gone.”
The state has already provided more than 900 medical personnel for El Paso, some of whom will be staffing the convention center site.
“The alternate care site and auxiliary medical units will reduce the strain on hospitals in El Paso as we contain the spread of COVID19 in the region,” Abbott said.