New Mexico now at 208 coronavirus cases, with one new death reported
Damien D. WillisSANTA FE - New Mexico state health officials on Saturday announced 17 additional positive tests for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total cases to 208.
Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
- 11 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 3 new cases in Chaves County
- 1 new case in Doña Ana County
- 1 new case in Eddy County
- 1 new case in San Juan County
The Department of Health on Saturday also reported the second death in New Mexico related to COVID-19. That case is a male in his 80s in Bernalillo County who died Friday, March 27. He had been hospitalized and had multiple chronic underlying health conditions, the department stated.
Including the newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 208 positive tests for COVID-19 in 17 of the state's 33 counties:
- Bernalillo County: 92
- Chaves County: 7
- Cibola County: 2
- Curry County: 1
- Doña Ana County: 17
- Eddy County: 3
- Lea County: 2
- McKinley County: 5
- Rio Arriba County: 2
- Roosevelt County: 1
- Sandoval County: 15
- San Juan County: 18
- San Miguel County: 1
- Santa Fe County: 30
- Socorro County: 2
- Taos County: 9
- Valencia County: 1
Public health officials state that county totals are subject to change upon further investigation and determination of residency of individuals positive for COVID-19.
As of Saturday, 19 individuals were hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19, which may include individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 out of state but are currently hospitalized in New Mexico. it does not include New Mexicans who tested positive for COVID-19 and may have been transferred to a hospital out of state, officials stated.
As of Saturday, 26 confirmed COVID-19 cases had been designated as having "recovered" by the New Mexico Department of Health.
The Department of Health has detected community spread and continues to investigate cases with no known exposure. The agency reports that, because of the infectious nature of the virus, it is likely other residents are infected but yet to be tested or confirmed positive.
To that end, all New Mexicans are instructed to stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare. Minimize person-to-person contact to ensure spread is mitigated.
The New Mexico Department of Health has active investigations into the positive patients, which includes contact-tracing and swabs of symptomatic individuals who have had contact with the positive cases.
New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately at 1-855-600-3453.
Testing must be prioritized for persons with symptoms of COVID-19 infection – fever, cough, or shortness of breath, public health officials said.
New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated regularly as a one-stop source for information for families, workers and others affected by and seeking more information about COVID-19.
The state Department of Health will continue to update its dedicated COVID-19 webpage at https://cv.nmhealth.org/ with additional tests as the state lab provides results.
Damien Willis is a Lead Reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He can be reached at 575-541-5443, dwillis@lcsun-news.com or @DamienWillis on Twitter.