COVID-19 cases updated; NM expands closures

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The below information is current as of 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. As we know, the news regarding Coronavirus and responses is changing by the minute. We will work to update as needed.)

Daily statistics

According to the Centers of Disease Control, www.cdc.gov, the national confirmed COVID-19 cases increased from 330,891 April 6, to 374,329 April 7. There have been 12,064 deaths as of April 7, and increase of 3,154 over the previous day.

In New Mexico, confirmed cases rose from 696 April 6 to 794 April 7 (with 13 deaths) and five new cases Doña Ana County, bringing our total to 35.

In Texas, cases increased from 7,276 April 6 to 8,262 April 7, with 154 deaths. El Paso County has now confirmed 125 cases. Information from Mexico is more difficult to track, but the state of Chihuahua has confirmed at least 20 cases, and Ciudad Juarez has confirmed at least 11, with two deaths. Nationwide, Mexico has so far reported 2,439 cases as of April 6, with 125 deaths.

Regional Statistics

NEW MEXICO (info from April 6)

21,933 people tested

794 positive (3.6%)

13 deaths

35 cases in Doña Ana County

Source: NM Dept of Health (https://cv.nmhealth.org/), updated daily approx. 4 p.m.

TEXAS

88,649 people tested

8,262 positive (9.3%)

1,252 hospitalized

154 deaths

125 cases in El Paso County

Source: Texas Dept of Health (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/updates.shtm#coronavirus), updated approximately 11 a.m.

Gov. Lujan Grisham extends New Mexico’s Public health emergency order through April

Monday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham extended the state’s public health order to April 30, and announced tighter restrictions on business closures.

The order, executed by New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Kathyleen Kunkel, states “The bottom line is that all New Mexicans should be staying in their homes for all but the most essential activities and services.”

A new requirement regarding occupancy of essential businesses, such as grocery stores, limits the maximum number of customers at one time to 20 percent of the maximum occupancy.

Hotels, motels, RV parks and other lodging businesses are reduced from 50 percent occupancy to 25 percent.

Additional entities deemed non-essential as part of the amended order and must cease in-person operations are automobile dealerships, payday lenders and liquor stores.

“To those New Mexicans who have already committed to physical distancing and are doing everything they can to restrict or limit their outings and physical contact with others: Thank you,” Grisham said. “You are holding up your social contract with your state and your neighbors, and we are grateful. Please know that your actions are our single best weapon against this virus.”

Making your own mask

More and more Americans are wearing masks, which may help reduce giving and receiving aerosolized germs if you’re in close proximity with others. They also demonstrate you’re taking the virus seriously, and they have the added benefit of keeping you from touching your face directly. The New Mexico Secretary Health maintains a non-medical mask is not a replacement for physical distancing, but says it may help slow the spread of the virus. It should not be placed on children younger than two or anyone with breathing issues.

Here’s the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams showing you how to make a cloth face mask in 45 seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4&feature=youtu.be