SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on announced 13 additional positive tests for COVID-19 March 23.

Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:

Five new cases in Bernalillo County:

• A male in his 20s
• A female in her 40s
• A male in his 40s
• A female in her 70s
• A female in her 80s

One new case in Eddy County:

• ​A male in his 70s – deceased. As previously reported March 25 by the Department of Health, this individual died Sunday, March 22. The state laboratory confirmed a positive COVID-19 test late March 24, after receiving it the same day.

Two new cases in Rio Arriba County:

• A male in his 60s
• A female in her 70s

One new case in Sandoval County:

• A female in her 30s

One new case in San Juan County:

• A male in his 30s

Three new cases in Santa Fe County:

• A female in her 40s
• A female in her 50s
• A male in his 70s

Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 112 positive tests for COVID-19. A previously reported positive case in Chaves County was determined to be a clerical error; the patient has been informed, and the state count has been amended to reflect that fact:​

• Bernalillo County: 48
• Doña Ana County: 13
• Cibola County: 1
• Chaves County: 3
• Curry County: 1
• Eddy County: 1
• Lea County: 1
• McKinley County: 3
• Rio Arriba County: 2
• Sandoval County: 8
• San Juan County: 8
• San Miguel County: 1
• Santa Fe County: 17
• ​​Socorro County: 2
• Taos County: 3

As of March 25, there are nine 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.

The Department of Health has detected community spread. 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.

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.

Every New Mexican must work together to stem the spread of COVID-19. Stay home.

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 (855) 600-3453.

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People without those symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19. This is allergy season, and allergy symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes, nose or throat do not indicate a need for testing. While the state is gratified that COVID-19 testing is increasingly available, we need to prioritize testing for persons with symptoms of COVID-19 infection - fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

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 update its dedicated COVID-19 webpage with additional tests as the state lab provides results.