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CORONAVIRUS

COVID-19 Update: Tuesday, May 18

State lifts mask mandate for vaccinated

Posted

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 Covid-19 update for New Mexico and Doña Ana County

New Mexico (population: 2.11 million)

Testing

May 15-17: 201,186 cases (543 new); 3,410,354 tests; 127 hosp; 4,116 died; 186,553 recov; 2.36% 7-day pos rate

May 12: 200,232 cases (196 new); 3,367,651 tests; 133 hosp; 4,111 died; 185,385 rec; 7-day positive rate: 2.57%

May 10: 199,901 cases; 570 new (May 8-10); 3,355,720 tests; 143 hospitalized; 4,106 died; 185,033 recovered

May 5: Total cases: 198,781; total tests: 3,311,113; hospitalized: 144; deaths: 4,085 recovered: 183,949

Visit https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html.

Vaccinations

May 17: 1,856,049 doses administered, 63% at least one dose, 52.2% fully vaccinated

Among all states, New Mexico has administered the highest percentage of Covid-19 vaccines it has received, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

May 12: 1,816,915 doses administered, 60.9% at least one dose, 49.2% fully vaccinated

May 10: 1,789,997 doses administered, 60% at least one dose, 48% fully vaccinated

May 5: 58.9% with at least one shot; 45.4% fully vaccinated

Register for vaccination at vaccineNM.org.

https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html; https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html

Doña Ana County (population: 218,836)

Testing

May 15-17: 24,782 cases (32 new); 456 deaths; 23,740 recovered; 318,768 tests

May 17: 7-day rolling average: 3.5 cases/100,000; 7-day pos rate: 1.19%; 14-day pos rate: 1.67%

May 12: 24,744 cases; 18 new; 455 deaths; 23,616 recovered; 315,254 tests

 7-day rolling average: 5.4/100,000; 7-day positivity rate: 1.89%; 14-day positivity rate: 2.22%

May 10: 24,728 cases; 41 new cases (May 8-10); 454 deaths; 23,562 recovered; 314,244 tests

May 5: Total cases: 24,654; deaths: 451, recovered: 23,483, total tests: 310,746

May 3: Total cases: 24,589; deaths: 448; recovered: 22,602; total tests: 307,902

April 20-May 3: cases per 100,000: 9.9, positivity rate: 3.63%; fully vaccinated: 43.6%

April 6-19:  cases per 100,000: 12.30, positivity rate: 4.76%, fully vaccinated: 37%

Vaccinations

May 17: 60.3% at least one dose, 49.6% fully vaccinated (almost one-half of those eligible)

May 10: 58.7% at least one dose, 47.2% fully vaccinated

May 5: 56.7% of residents with at least one shot; 43.4% fully vaccinated

State lifts mask mandate for vaccinated

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) announced May 14 New Mexico’s adoption of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated guidance on facemasks.

Per the CDC, in most circumstances, fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a mask in either indoor or outdoor settings, the office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news release.

“All individuals who are unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated are still required, per the public health order and CDC guidance, to wear a mask in public settings,” the news release said. “Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Individuals who do not meet those requirements must continue to wear a mask in public settings.”

New Mexicans are encouraged to continue adhering to COVID-safe practices, the release said. “All individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, should continue to wear well-fitted masks where required by localities, tribal entities and individual businesses. The state fully supports businesses and workplaces that may continue to require masks for employees and/or customers on the premises, regardless of vaccination status,” the release said.

Per CDC guidance, masks continue to be required to be worn by all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities and doctors’ offices; correctional facilities; homeless shelters; and public transportation, including buses, trains and planes, and in transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

Pending additional CDC guidance, masks continue to be required in schools for all students and school staff regardless of vaccination status, the release said.

Doña Ana County remains in turquoise

Under NMDOH’s May 5 statewide Covid-19 risk assessment framework, Doña Ana County entered the turquoise level (the least restrictive) for the first time.

Of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 30 are in turquoise, two are in green (Catron and Valencia), one is in yellow (Chaves) and zero are in red, which is the most restrictive level. Next update: May 19.

Turquoise level criteria

To reach turquoise, a county must meet three of these criteria or two of them in two consecutive reporting periods: 1) a new Covid-19 average daily case incidence rate of no greater than 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the most recent two-week period, 2) an average percent of positive COVID-19 test results less than or equal to 7.5 percent, 3) a fully vaccinated rate at or above 40 percent.

Health orders in turquoise level

  • Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions, but operations must be limited to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions
  • Essential retail spaces: 75 percent of maximum capacity for indoor spaces, 100 percent outdoor
  • Food and drink establishments (if NM safe certified): 75 percent of maximum capacity for indoor dining, 75 percent of maximum capacity for outdoor dining
  • Close-contact businesses: 75 percent of maximum capacity; no restrictions on outdoor spaces
  • Large entertainment venues: 33 percent of maximum capacity for any indoor/enclosed space on premises, 75 percent of any outdoor space on premises
  • Recreational facilities: 50 percent of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on the premises, 75 percent of any outdoor space on premises
  • Bars and clubs: 33 percent of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on premises, 75 percent of any outdoor space on premises, where applicable
  • All other businesses: 75 percent of maximum capacity indoors, no restrictions on outdoor spaces
  • Houses of worship: May operate at 100 percent capacity indoors or outdoors should they so choose
  • Places of lodging: No maximum occupancy restrictions for those that have completed NM Safe Certified training, 50 percent for all others; 15 guests maximum for vacation rentals
  • Mass gatherings limit: 150 persons

Visit cv.nmhealth.org/redtogreen.

COVID-19 update

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