SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on April 23 announced 169 additional positive tests for COVID-19. Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
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31 new cases in Bernalillo County
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1 new case in Chaves County
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3 new cases in Cibola County
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6 new cases in Doña Ana County
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1 new case in Guadalupe County
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1 new case in Harding County
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3 new cases in Lea County
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54 new cases in McKinley County
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2 new cases in Otero County
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1 new case in Quay County
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4 new cases in Sandoval County
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51 new cases in San Juan County
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3 new cases in Santa Fe County
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4 new cases in Socorro County
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1 new case in Taos County
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3 new cases in Valencia County
The Department of Health on Thursday also reported seven additional deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19. Those cases are:
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A female in her 30s from Bernalillo County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.
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A female in her 70s from Bernalillo County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.
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A female in her 70s from McKinley County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.
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A female in her 80s from Sandoval County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.
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A female in her 90s from Sandoval County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.
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A female in her 30s from San Juan County. The individual had underlying medical conditions.
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A female in her 90s from San Juan County. The individual had underlying medical conditions and was a resident of the Life Care Center in Farmington.
The number of deaths of New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 is now 78.
The Department of Health has identified positive COVID-19 cases in residents and/or staff at the following congregate living facilities or acute care facilities:
Advanced Health Care of Albuquerque in Albuquerque
Aztec Health Care in Aztec
Beehive Homes in Farmington
Cedar Ridge Inn in Farmington
Central Desert Behavioral Health in Albuquerque
La Vida Llena in Albuquerque
Legacy Santa Fe in Santa Fe
Life Care Center of Farmington in Farmington
Red Rocks Care Center in Gallup
The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho
Uptown Genesis in Albuquerque
Wellbrook Rehabilitation Center in Farmington
Previously reported numbers included one case in Doña Ana County that was removed because the individual is an out-of-state resident – this has been corrected. Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 2,379 positive tests for COVID-19:
As of April 23, there are 123 individuals hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19. This number may include individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 out of state, but are currently hospitalized in New Mexico. This number does not include New Mexicans who tested positive for COVID-19 and may have been transferred to a hospital out of state.
Also, there are 573 COVID-19 cases designated as having recovered by the New Mexico Department of Health.
The Department of Health has detected community spread in Bernalillo, Doña Ana, McKinley, Otero, Sandoval, San Juan, and Santa Fe counties and is investigating cases with no known exposure. The agency reports that given 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 have been instructed to stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety, and welfare. These additional restrictions have been enacted to aggressively minimize person-to-person contact and ensure spread is mitigated. All businesses except those deemed essential have been ordered to close. New Mexicans are strongly urged to limit travel to only what is necessary for health, safety and welfare.
In a press conference April 22, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham addressed the pressure to reopen businesses in New Mexico. She said she expects the new normal to look like social distancing and people wearing masks. She expressed her own desire for a return to normalcy.
“I want someone to tell me unequivocally when is it going to be safe for me to hold my grandchild?” she said.
Lujan Grisham said the state is beginning to reopen its economic sector. She mentioned curbside pick-up and delivery for flower stores and nurseries in particular and then added that people should expect more of this type of relaxation of economic restrictions every week as the state approaches May 15.
Also, on the subject of the state’s economy, Lujan Grisham indicated there may be reason to hold a special session around the middle of June to discuss economic strategies such as reductions in expenditures, a state government hiring shift and freeze.
Looking forward toward 2021, the governor said New Mexico’s revenues could be dramatically reduced in education, healthcare and economic investment.
Timeline of the virus in New Mexico:
April 16: McKinley County has two more confirmed deaths, bringing the total to four. The county also has 265 cases with 23 new cases confirmed. The statewide total for COVID-19 cases reaches 1,597. The death count reaches 44 after another 8 deaths are confirmed. There are 353 COVID-19 cases designated as having recovered by the New Mexico Department of Health.
April 17: New Mexico state health officials announced 115 additional positive tests for COVID-19. The number of deaths of New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 is now 51. There are 96 people hospitalized for the virus in New Mexico, while 382 COVID-19 cases are designated as having recovered.
April 18: New Mexico state health officials announce 87 additional positive tests for COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,798. Another two deaths brings the total of New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 to 53. DOH also announces 92 people are hospitalized across the state while 465 COVID-19 cases are designated as having recovered.
April 19: Health officials announce lowered numbers due to a technical lapse of 47 additional positive tests for COVID-19 to bring the total to 1,845. The number of deaths of New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 is now 55 after two more deaths are confirmed. DOH reports 103 people are hospitalized across the state while 487 COVID-19 cases are designated as having recovered.
April 20: The state case total rises to 1,971 after 126 additional positive tests for COVID-19 are confirmed. The death total of New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 rises to 58 after another three deaths are announced. Health officials announce 116 individuals are hospitalized throughout the state while 501 COVID-19 cases are designated as having recovered.
April 21: State health officials announce 103 additional positive tests for COVID-19 to bring the total to 2,072. The number of deaths of New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 is now 65 after another seven deaths are confirmed. DOH announces 119 individuals are hospitalized while 529 COVID-19 cases are designated as having recovered.
April 22: Another 139 positive tests brings the total for New Mexico to 2,120. The number of deaths of New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 is now 71 after six more are confirmed. DOH announces 121 individuals are hospitalized while 547 COVID-19 cases are designated as having recovered.
