Gov. Greg Abbott said Texans should expect an executive order in the coming week related to a plan for reopening businesses in the state.

"Next week I will be providing an executive order talking about what will be done in Texas about reopening Texas businesses, also in a way that will be safe for that economic revitalization," Abbott said. "We will focus on protecting lives while restoring livelihoods."

The announcement comes as the number of coronavirus cases in the state continues to grow.

More:El Paso lawmakers react to Gov. Greg Abbott's actions to fight spread of COVID-19

At a Friday news conference, the governor said about 116,000 people have been tested for the virus. He said more than 11,440 have tested positive and there are more than 1,530 confirmed hospitalized. More than 1,300 people have recovered from COVID-19 in Texas.

There have been 221 fatalities, Abbott said.

"As a number, if you were to compare it to other states, it would look like a relatively small number," Abbott said. "But if you compare it to the hearts and souls of the households who've lost a (family) member, it's a number that's far too large."

In a conference call organized Friday by the Texas Republican Party, Lt. Gov Dan Patrick said he has established a task force of business leaders to kick the state’s economy into gear as soon as possible once the crisis fades.

More:Even before Abbott’s coronavirus order, Texans were adapting to a new reality

He said the recommendations will likely say businesses should open in phases once it is safe to do so.

“We are not going to open up immediately,” Patrick said. “But we need to get started. And I hope that’s the first week in May, barring any unforeseen big spikes here in Texas and in some other states around the country.”

Earlier, when he said prefacing his remarks, Patrick said, “Everything I say is prayerfully and hopefully because things could change.”

Asked about Patrick’s hope for businesses to reopen in May, Abbott said “we all have a desire to get things going as quickly as possible.”

“But we also have a desire to make sure that it’s done in ways that are safe, understanding if everyone were to rush the doors and go back into the job market overnight, we would see an outbreak of COVID-19 again,” Abbott said. “That’s exactly why I’m issuing the executive order next week establishing what the statewide standards will be in the coming days about what the approach is.”

More:Coronavirus in Texas: PPE arriving in the state and more on the way, Gov. Abbott says

There will be more details in the coming week about the role testing will play in reopening the economy, Abbott said.

“That said, I will tell you that testing will be a component of it,” Abbott said. “We will operate very strategically. We want open up, but we want to open up safely.”

Officials pointed to the number of cases in Texas is doubling about every six days compared to about every three in late-March as a positive sign for the state that social distancing practices are working

Abbott's update included detailing line graphs showing the number of cases, hospitalizations, new cases and fatalities in the state. He also provided information related to some of the state's largest counties.

"We are beginning to slow the growth of the coronavirus," Abbott said, referring to portion of the Texas chart showing the number of cases in Texas. "We've not yet reached the peak and begun on the decline yet."

El Paso County was among those the governor discussed during the presentation. Abbott said that while in some of the other counties the line indicating the number of cases seems to be flattening some, in El Paso it's still angling up.

As of Wednesday in El Paso, there were 225 confirmed cases and one death.

Abbott said he's talked with Mayor Dee Margo and offered support for the community. Abbott discouraged gatherings, especially as Easter approaches.

"Just know that clearly, looking at the trend lines in El Paso, the more you gather in large numbers in El Paso, you really are compromising the health and safety, and maybe the lives, of some of your family members and some of your friends," Abbott said.

John Moritz contributed to this report.

Eleanor Dearman may be reached at 361-244-0047; edearman@elpasotimes.com; @EllyDearman on Twitter.