El Paso Shelter In Place Order May Be Extended

Coronavirus deaths continue to rise throughout the nation. 14 people have died from Coronavirus in El Paso, Texas, in one day, officials say. Now, county leaders are deciding whether to extend a contested stay-at-home order. According to a national health tally, 696 El Paso residents have died from Coronavirus.

Officials say that 10 mobile morgues had to be ordered because there isn’t enough space at the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner. The office is occupied by 90 bodies already. On Tuesday afternoon, there were 154 bodies.

El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego ordered all non-essential businesses to close down because of the spike in COVID-19 cases.

“Absolutely, 100 percent I think we need to extend it,” said County Commissioner David Stout to NBC News.

The order is being fought in court by the state attorney general and local businesses.

“And that people are still not understanding the stay-at-home order or that someone from a distance is telling us what we should be doing in El Paso, I would just question anyone that’s not for that stay-at-home order to come by here and see the situation in person,” Samaniego said.

Mark Osborn, an attorney for restaurant owners, said that they’re practicing all the right things and doing all the social distancing, and everyone is wearing a mask.