Las Cruces extends emergency; El Paso amends its directives

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The below information is current as of 4:15 p.m. Friday, April 24. As we know, the news regarding Coronavirus and responses is changing by the minute. We will work to update as needed.)

Daily statistics

According to the Centers of Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html, the national confirmed COVID-19 cases increased from to 865,585 April 24. There have been 48,816 deaths.

In New Mexico, confirmed cases rose from to 2,379 April 24 (with 78 deaths) and 88 cases in Doña Ana County, with 6 new cases reported since yesterday.

In Texas, cases increased to 22,806 April 24, with 593 deaths. El Paso County has now confirmed 674 cases, up 29 from yesterday.

Information from Mexico is more difficult to track, but as of April 24, the state of Chihuahua has confirmed 174 cases and 39 deaths. Of those, Ciudad Juarez has had at least 121 cases, with 32 deaths. Nationwide, Mexico has reported 11,633 cases as of April 24, with 1,069 deaths and 2,627 recoveries.

Globally, 2.76 million have tested positive, with 194,000 deaths and 760,000 recoveries.

Regional Statistics

NEW MEXICO (info from April 24)

46,563 people tested

2,379 positive (5.1%)

123 currently hospitalized

573 recovered

78 deaths

88 cases in Doña Ana County (out of 3,025 tests, 2.9%)

Source: NM Dept of Health (https://cv.nmhealth.org/), updated daily approx. 4 p.m.

TEXAS (info from April 24)

242,547 people tested

22,806 positive (9.4%)

1,674 currently hospitalized

9,156 recovered (estimated)

593 deaths

674 cases in El Paso County

Source: Texas Dept of Health (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/updates.shtm#coronavirus), updated approximately 11 a.m.

Las Cruces City Council extends emergency proclamation; Public input by email for virtual meetings

The Las Cruces City Council voted unanimously at its Friday, April 24, special meeting to extend the terms of the emergency proclamation initially issued by Mayor Ken Miyagishima on April 7. The extended emergency proclamation will run concurrent with the governor’s public health emergency executive order, the city said in a news release following the special meeting. The extension gives the city the potential to receive reimbursement for funding and programs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) based on qualified expenses related to COVID-19.

The city council approved an emergency declaration ordinance March 27 that gives the mayor and mayor pro-tem the authority to take immediate action for the protection of life and property, and for the preservation of public peace, safety, health, welfare, and for the continuity of efficient government operations. The ordinance allows the council to authorize limited action in response to an emergency situation and to exercise their emergency powers through a proclamation. The term of the proclamation is three days but can be extended for up 14 days at a time.

At the same meeting, the council unanimously approved a public comment resolution for virtual meetings during an emergency. The resolution allows the mayor and/or city clerk to receive emails which the mayor will read aloud during the meeting.

The emails for specific items on the meeting agenda should include the resolution number as well as the participant’s name, for the record, the news release said. Other emails not related to a specific agenda item will be read during the public participation portion of the meeting. The mayor may limit the number of emails read during each meeting, and the content of the emails must comply with the city manager’s social media policy. Additional guidelines will be published and sent out with each agenda. 

The mayor and city clerk will begin accepting public input by email for the Monday, May 4, city council meeting at mayor@las-cruces.org and crivera@las-cruces.org.

City Economic Development Department Director Griselda Martinez told the council at the April 24 meeting that her office will reach out to small businesses in Las Cruces to let them know about the city’s micro-loan program, which the council created to assist small businesses during the public health crisis by providing loans of $2,000-$50,000 and help them “navigate the existing opportunities for federal or state programs” that provide assistance, Martinez said.

City, County of El Paso amends emergency directives

The City of El Paso and El Paso County have amended their joint directives in the ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The directives call for everyone to wear face coverings in public, and also allow for re-opening of some businesses on a “retail-to-go” basis.

Directives also include:

• Prohibition of public and private gatherings of “any number of people” outside or inside a single household or dwelling unit.
• Residents can walk or run along established paths adjacent to streets, park or within parks, but prohibited from trails and trailheads.
• Franklin Mountains State Park remains closed.
• Retail-to-go allowed if employees are trained and disinfected and wearing face covering and maintaining six-foot distances. Customers must pick up or receive delivery, but may not enter the retailer’s premises.
• Payments should be done over the phone or internet if possible to minimize contact.
• Delivery preferred to the backseat or trunk of vehicle.
• Employees must sanitize after customer interactions.
• Public still allowed to visit grocery stores, gas stations and banks if precautions are maintained.

More information available at www.epstrong.org.