El Paso County has seen its largest spike in COVID-19 cases with 28 new positive cases in just one day, bringing the total to 153.

Cases in El Paso County include 79 females and 74 males, with 27 patients hospitalized and 10 in intensive care. Three of those patients are on ventilators. Eighteen people have recovered from the virus.

"This rise in cases is to be expected because of increased testing, and community spread,” Dr. Hector Ocaranza, city/county health authority said in a news release. “The good news is that private businesses like grocery stores and other essential businesses are taking responsibility to tighten their policies and implementing social distancing as ordered."

Eighty-four of the positive cases were tested by the Department of Public Health lab, while 69 were tested by outside laboratories. There have been 516 negative tests with 43 still pending.

Here is a breakdown of the positive cases by age:

3 are 12 and younger

6 in their teens

28 in their 20s

29 in their 30s

26 in their 40s

26 in their 50s

16 in their 60s

13 in their 70s

4 in their 80s

2 in their 90s

COVID-19 signs and symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If the symptoms persist, residents should contact their health care provider after warning them they suspect they might have the illness.

For more information, call the 211-COVID hotline from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For referral services, contact 211 and select option six. For more information, visit www.epstrong.org.

City encourages residents to 'Unite with Light' for first responders

In support of El Paso's medical professionals and first responders working to aid residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, City officials encourage residents to light their porch, apartment windows, and balcony with candles, flashlights or glow sticks at 7:30 p.m. every Friday.

Homeowners are being asked to have their lights on to offer support to doctors, nurses, firefighters, paramedics and other medical professionals on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.

Share your photos and videos on the City of El Paso’s social media platforms with the hashtag #UniteWithLightEP.

Local non-profit announces job initiative for workers

The El Paso Community Foundation on Tuesday announced the 'Get Shift Done for El Paso' initiative, which will provide pay of $10 an hour to hospitality workers left jobless by the pandemic.

The program started April 4 with the first of 40 daily shifts.

El Paso is the second city to roll out the initiative. The first one was launched by a Dallas business and community leaders with the support of various restaurant owners and nonprofit organizations.

“Thanks to an incredible team in North Texas, we were able to adapt this innovative program,” said Eric Pearson, president and CEO of the El Paso Community Foundation. “This helps hospitality workers — who represent 31% of unemployment claims in the area — fill essential, caring jobs, and maintain the dignity of hard work.”