Dr. Hector Ocaranza, El Paso's health authority, said there are now 68 positive COVID-19 cases in El Paso.

"We need to take very serious action against this," Ocaranza said during a news conference Wednesday evening. "All these rules, orders and regulations are to keep us healthy. The important thing is to stay home."

The positive cases include 38 females and 30 males, the city said in a news release.

The city closed parks and recreational areas, declaring them off limits. Golf courses and country clubs have also been ordered closed.

An emergency alert sent Wednesday night said "public and private gatherings of any number of people are prohibited."

In a news release emailed Thursday afternoon, the city's Parks and Recreation Department said the closures will remain until further notice.

"The closing of parks includes City-owned hike and bike trails, walking trails and playgrounds. Also not allowed are gatherings at any recreational areas or facilities," the release said.

It added that other park facilities, including aquatic centers, recreation centers, senior centers and sports facilities, still are closed.

The department's release said all Parks and Recreation programming, which includes Scenic Sundays, remains suspended. It said walking, running and cycling on Scenic Drive is not allowed on Sundays because the road will be open to traffic.

Health officials have said there is evidence of community spread in El Paso.

"Every time we report new numbers, whether it’s one or two or four, keep in mind that these are more potential exposures for people who may have underlying conditions," said Ocaranza. “When we ask you to stay home, you need to stay home.”

He said 386 patients have been tested by the city's Department of Public Health, adding that some have had multiple tests made, but he did not know how many had been tested in private labs.

No cases have been reported in the El Paso County Jail system, Ocaranza and County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said.

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The order says reunions and parties at private homes and in public are prohibited.

Ocaranza said the people who attend are putting themselves and the people they come in contact with at risk.

City officials say nine citations have been given and hundreds of warnings have been made, mainly to educate the public on stay-at-home orders handed down by the state, county and city.

El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said the public has been asked to voluntarily comply with the orders but enforcement will happen.

County Judge Ricardo Samaniego addressed concerns about a house party at his home, first reported by Channel 14-KFOX.

Samaniego said his son had invited people to his home while he was away speaking with members of the community about the orders.

While asking the public to obey the stay-at-home orders, Samaniego said measures were being taken at his own home to address the public's concerns.

"No one is perfect and we are going to make mistakes as we're moving forward," he said. "But I can guarantee you that there is nothing more important, not the mistake that is made but how you address the mistake."

Margo said construction companies in residential and commercial industries must follow social distancing rules to continue working. They also must implement staggered shifts, provide hand-washing stations and provide restrooms with soap and hand sanitizer.

They also must provide restroom breaks of 15 minutes per every four hours of work and not take adverse action against workers who are quarantined due to the coronavirus.

If workers have a temperature higher than 100 degrees, they must stay home, he said.

Margo also said gatherings during meals or breaks must be prohibited, as is a common water cooler.

Companies also must designate a COVID-19 compliance officer, he said.

Margo mentioned the city and county each contributed $1 million to a fund to help small businesses with zero percent interest loans, saying more than 100 submissions were made within hours. He said more than 200 loan applications for a total so far of $5.8 million have been made. He asked financial institutions to help.

Samaniego emphasized that the stay-at-home order applies countywide, including San Elizario, Clint and other nearby towns and cities.

He said recreational gatherings have been banned at outdoor areas, including Red Sands and the Socorro Student Activities Complex, due to large gatherings that were occurring at those sites.

He said grocery stores have been asked to use X's so people follow social distancing guidelines of 6 feet and do not line up too closely at the checkout lanes.

“We are trying to do the best we can in terms of containment,” he said.

In a statement emailed Wednesday night, Samaniego said: "We realize that outdoor recreation is essential to maintaining our physical and mental well-being, however, parks and trails are becoming too crowded and social distance requirements are not being practiced."

He added, "I encourage all El Pasoans to do what you can to work on your physical and mental well-being from the safety of your home. Every El Pasoan needs to do their part to help slow down the spread of this invisible enemy, and most importantly do what we can to flatten the curve and prevent our local medical facilities from becoming overwhelmed."

The statement said the new restrictions include all public and private gatherings at all county parks, public and private golf courses, basketball courts, tennis courts, skate parks, playgrounds, splash pads and dog parks.

It said all off-roading and ATV recreational activities are prohibited throughout the county, warning law enforcement will cite violators, who could face fines.

Juárez, Chihuahua state COVID-19 cases

Juárez has seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 as the state of Chihuahua enters the community spread phase of the coronavirus pandemic, health officials said Wednesday.

There are 11 confirmed cases in Chihuahua state, seven in Juárez and four in Chihuahua City, public health officials said in a video briefing.

Fort Bliss no longer releasing coronavirus cases to public

Citing security measures, the Pentagon ordered Fort Bliss and other military installations to stop publicly announcing the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

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Fort Bliss had seven confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of March 25.

The large Army post still reports cases to the El Paso Department of Public Health. The city does not release Fort Bliss statistics because the post does separate testing, a city spokeswoman said.

City of El Paso amends emergency directive

In a news release, the city said the changes went into effect at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, and will remain in effect until further notice:

• All individuals living within the city of El Paso are directed to stay at home or at their place of residence unless they are performing essential duties, working in an essential business, government, etc. Public and private gatherings of any number of people are prohibited.

• Any travel is restricted to approved activities. Anyone returning from travel of 100 miles or more outside the city must self-quarantine for 14 days.

• Any public of private gatherings at any recreational area, park, pool or recreational facility is prohibited. This includes hike and bike trails, whether formally recognized by the city or not; including, but not limited to any golfing in public or private courses; any gathering in school recreation areas, tennis clubs and any other private recreational club; the area near Socorro Independent School District Student Activities Complex (“SAC”) located near 1300 Joe Battle Blvd.; all to include the use of any type of recreational vehicle at any outdoor area.

• Critical infrastructure and construction activities that are exempt are more clearly defined.

• Business owners must provide mandatory rest breaks of at least 15 minutes every four hours so workers can follow hygiene guidelines. Additionally, businesses can take no adverse action against an employee who has been quarantined or advised to self-quarantine due to possible exposure.

The directive still allows the public to visit grocery stores, gas stations and banks, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

Source: City of El Paso