El Paso health officials say a man in his 80s has died after contracting COVID-19 and confirmed there are now 225 positive cases in the county.

Dr. Hector Ocaranza, El Paso City/County Health Authority, said the man had a long list of preconditions when he became infected with the virus. Specifics about the man's death are still being investigated and it is unclear when the man was tested for the virus, he added.

Some details could not be released because of privacy, he added.

"It is very sad that we have this death in our community," Ocaranza said. "We will continue being vigilant as how the virus behaves in our community."

The total number of cases increased by 33 after Wednesday, which had the largest spike of 39 new cases of COVID-19. Forty-eight people are hospitalized, with 19 in the ICU and six are on ventilators.

Mayor Dee Margo and Ocaranza used their time during a virtual conference to remind El Pasoans to stay home and observe social distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus. They said there have been numerous complaints of people gathering throughout the city against orders mandated within the area.

Ocaranza said epidemiological investigations found examples of residents gathering and where some in those groups were infected with the virus.

One group was of 20-year-olds with five infected and another group of 40-year-olds with seven infected. Investigations also found spread in a healthcare facility with 11 cases.

Margo said it is a surprise that there hadn't been other deaths already related to the virus. But residents were being asked to observe precautions to stop it.

Both advised residents not to travel to Juárez for Easter Sunday and for El Pasoans not to gather in large groups to observe the religious holiday.

"We are strongly advising any resident in our community not to go visit relatives, even in Juárez," said Ocaranza.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some people don't have any symptoms at all. The most common symptoms resemble the flu and include fever, tiredness and dry cough. Some people also develop aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

About 1 in 6 people become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing, according to the World Health Organization. If you experience fever, cough and shortness of breath, call your doctor.

Symptoms may appear anywhere between two to 14 days after exposure, with the average patient seeing onset at around five days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Coronavirus safety tips

The CDC lists on their website safety tips everyone should follow:

Clean hands often

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

Cover cough and sneezes

Practice social distancing by putting space between yourself and others

Stay home if you're sick

Wear a facemask when around others if you're sick

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

Coronavirus cases in El Paso and Texas:Daily statistics on cases, deaths in state