El Paso’s number of new COVID-19 cases declined for the fifth consecutive week, and hospitalizations for the novel coronavirus showed little change over the past week.

This coming week should provide some indications of whether El Paso will see a surge in new cases connected to the Labor Day weekend or the reopening of some schools.

Here’s our weekly report on COVID-19 data.

New cases

El Paso reported 493 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, the first time in three months with a new weekly case count below 500. 

A reminder on these numbers: the state continues to report weeks-old positive COVID-19 cases to the El Paso Department of Public Health. Local health officials are slotting those previously unreported cases into the appropriate week.

Hospitalizations

The number of COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization had been in a steady decline since late July, but that trend seemed to stall in the past week. 

The number of cases requiring treatment in intensive care units has been in a narrow range between 45 and 55 since mid-August.

New reported deaths

El Paso reported fewer than 20 COVID-19 deaths for the first time in nine weeks. However, delays in recording deaths as related to the novel coronavirus make it difficult to clearly identify trends. The total number of reported deaths as of Saturday — 464 — and deaths under investigation — 103 — is 25 higher than the prior week.

Cover photo: The trend in COVID-19 testing and positive cases, courtesy of the El Paso Department of Public Health.