DOH: Clusters at two pueblos; total NM COVID-19 cases nears 800, deaths reach 13

The New Mexico Department of Health announced 109 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 794.  The amount of new cases is the most in one day so far, and the last few days have seen significant increases in positive tests as testing capacity expanded and the state relaxed qualifications for who can […]

DOH: Clusters at two pueblos; total NM COVID-19 cases nears 800, deaths reach 13

The New Mexico Department of Health announced 109 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 794. 

The amount of new cases is the most in one day so far, and the last few days have seen significant increases in positive tests as testing capacity expanded and the state relaxed qualifications for who can receive a test.

Update: (4/8/2020): DOH: Three more COVID-19 related deaths; 72 additional positive cases

The state also announced one additional person with COVID-19 died, a male in his 30s with underlying medical conditions. The death in Bernalillo County, which took place on Monday, was the 13th confirmed death in the state related to COVID-19.

Clusters

The state also announced clusters of COVID-19 cases in San Felipe Pueblo and Zia Pueblo, both of which are in Sandoval County. The state has found 52 cases at San Felipe Pueblo and 31 at Zia Pueblo, the majority of the cases in Sandoval County so far.

The Navajo Nation, which includes portions of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, is also experiencing a high amount of cases. The Navajo Nation, as of Monday evening, had 384 total cases and 15 confirmed deaths. Of the Navajo Nation’s cases, 82 were in New Mexico.

The state also said the amount of confirmed cases at La Vida Llena long-term care facility has reached 47, with 24 residents and 23 staff members. Older people, and those with underlying medical conditions like diabetes or asthma, are considered at greater risk for severe complications related to COVID-19.

Hospitalizations and recoveries

The DOH announcement said that 51 people are currently hospitalized for COVID-19. This amount includes those who tested positive in other states and are hospitalized in New Mexico, but not those who tested positive in New Mexico and are hospitalized in other states.

The state has not provided in which counties people are hospitalized.

The DOH reported an increase in COVID-19 cases considered recovered to 171. That is 38 more than Monday’s amount.

Breakdowns by county

The state says it has discovered community spread in Bernalillo, Doña Ana, McKinley, Otero, Sandoval, San Juan, and Santa Fe counties. This means people who have tested positive have no known contact with someone who previously tested positive or no known travel to areas with known cases of COVID-19.

The state provided a breakdown of the newly announced cases by county and noted that Monday’s numbers included one duplicate in Bernalillo County.

  • 42 new cases in Bernalillo County
  • 1 new case in Chaves County
  • 1 new case in Cibola County
  • 2 new cases in Curry County
  • 5 new cases in Doña Ana County
  • 1 new case in Grant County
  • 11 new cases in McKinley County
  • 24 new cases in San Juan County
  • 18 new cases in Sandoval County
  • 2 new cases in Santa Fe County
  • 1 new case in Taos County
  • 1 new case in Torrance County

And the state also broke down the total cases, which includes the 109 new cases, by county.

  • Bernalillo County: 307
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 15
  • Cibola County: 15
  • Curry County: 8
  • Doña Ana County: 35
  • Eddy County: 4
  • Grant County: 4
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 1
  • Los Alamos County: 2
  • McKinley County: 55
  • Otero County: 3
  • Rio Arriba County: 6
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 128
  • San Juan County: 107
  • San Miguel County: 1
  • Santa Fe County: 66
  • Socorro County: 5
  • Taos County: 14
  • Torrance County: 7
  • Valencia County: 7

The Department of Health’s coronavirus website said, as of Tuesday afternoon, the state had processed 22,245 tests.

In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the state banned gatherings of more than five people, closing restaurants to in-person dining, suspending operations of all in-person workplaces not deemed essential through April 30. The state also closed public schools through the end of the academic year. The DOH has active investigations into the positive patients, which includes contact-tracing and swabs of symptomatic individuals who have had contact with the positive cases.

Those who are elderly, are immunocompromised or have other preexisting conditions are considered to be in more danger of suffering adverse effects of COVID-19, including hospitalization.

The state recommended, but did not require, that people wear masks when they leave the house, but said medical-grade masks should be saved for first responders and medical personnel.

The state advises individuals who are experiencing symptoms of a COVID-19 infection—fever, cough, or shortness of breath—to call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453). 

The state also changed who qualifies for a COVID-19 case to include not only those who have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, coughing and shortness of breath), but asymptomatic individuals who are close contacts or household members of people who already tested positive, residents of nursing homes or in congregant settings, including homeless shelters, group homes and detention centers.

Those with non-health-related questions or concerns can also call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov.

Update: Added total amount of tests.

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

A New Mexico-based LGBTQ rights organization endorsed 15 candidates for state House and Senate seats for the 2024 elections.  Marshall Martinez, executive director of…
Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pocket vetoed two bills the legislature passed this legislative session: one changing the Cybersecurity Act and the other concerning law…
BLM announces final methane waste rule

BLM announces final methane waste rule

The federal Bureau of Land Management announced its final methane waste rule on Wednesday. These new regulations clamp down on the practice of venting…
What consumers, farmers should know about the flu impacting dairy cows

What consumers, farmers should know about the flu impacting dairy cows

Migrating birds appear to have caused a virus in dairy cattle that is causing reduced milk production. So far, the disease, which initially started…
Republicans seek to limit national monument designations

Republicans seek to limit national monument designations

Republican-backed legislation in the U.S. Congress would make it harder for the government to designate new national monuments. The proposed Congressional Oversight of the…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican Brittany Behenna Griffith has a laundry list of adjectives to describe the ideal special education teacher:…
Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican A challenging task awaits New Mexico lawmakers in the next 30 days: Reconciling three very different…
Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with covid-19 patients, emergency physician Sonya Stokes remains shaken by…
Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was awarded to six tribal nations and…
Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee discussed a potential constitutional amendment that seeks to limit the governor’s executive powers. The committee approved…
Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Sen. Martin Heinrih and other Senate colleagues introduced abortion rights legislation into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…
At stake in mifepristone case: Abortion, FDA’s authority, and return to 1873 obscenity law

At stake in mifepristone case: Abortion, FDA’s authority, and return to 1873 obscenity law

Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit…
Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Sen. Martin Heinrih and other Senate colleagues introduced abortion rights legislation into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support…
New Mexico Medicaid to cover cost of over-the-counter oral contraception

New Mexico Medicaid to cover cost of over-the-counter oral contraception

New Mexico Medicaid announced on Wednesday that it will cover the cost of Opill, the first oral contraception approved for over-the-counter use. It is…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…
San Juan County, Navajo Nation settle redistricting case

San Juan County, Navajo Nation settle redistricting case

The Navajo Nation and San Juan County reached an agreement Monday about commission districts after the tribe alleged that its members were not adequately…
MIT ranks NM elections most well-run in the U.S.

MIT ranks NM elections most well-run in the U.S.

New Mexico’s 2022 election was ranked most well-run in the country by Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Election Data and Science Lab’s Elections Performance Index.…
Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Ex-GOP candidate allegedly hired people to kill witnesses in shootings of homes of Democratix politicians

Ex-GOP candidate allegedly hired people to kill witnesses in shootings of homes of Democratix politicians

Republican failed state house candidate Solomon Peña is facing more federal charges, this time on a murder-for-hire scheme.  Peña allegedly tried to hire two…
BLM announces final methane waste rule

BLM announces final methane waste rule

The federal Bureau of Land Management announced its final methane waste rule on Wednesday. These new regulations clamp down on the practice of venting…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report