NM numbers rise by 124; Governor reiterates efforts

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The below information is current as of 4:15 p.m. Thursday, April 9. 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 395,011 April 8, to 427,460 April 9. There have been 14,696 deaths.

In New Mexico, confirmed cases rose from 865 April 8 to 989 April 9 (with 17 deaths) and 5 new cases Doña Ana County, bringing our total to 44.

In Texas, cases increased from 9,353 April 8 to 10,230 April 9, with 199 deaths. El Paso County has now confirmed 192 cases. Information from Mexico is more difficult to track, but the state of Chihuahua has confirmed at least 24 cases, and Ciudad Juarez has confirmed at least 14, with four deaths. Nationwide, Mexico has so far reported 3,184 cases as of April 9, with 174 deaths.

Regional Statistics

NEW MEXICO (info from April 8)

25,241 people tested

989 positive (3.9%)

73 hospitalized

217 recovered

17 deaths

44 cases in Doña Ana County

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

TEXAS

106,134 people tested

10,230 positive (9.6%)

1,439 hospitalized

1,101 recovered (estimated)

177 deaths

192 cases in El Paso County

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

Governor delivers message

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham delivered a press conference Thursday afternoon, reiterating the importance of New Mexico’s stay-at-home and social distancing measures during Coronavirus pandemic.

She opened the conference wearing a mask, and lauded state and regional efforts to make masks.

“We want to encourage and model these behaviors,” Lujan Grisham said.

It was also a day that saw New Mexico’s confirmed cases rise by 124, and deaths increase to 17.

“Community spread is occurring, so you have to do more to minimize transmission,” she said. “Thank you for all you have done, but we’ve got to do more.”

Department of Health Secretary Kathyleen Kunkel said New Mexico has expanded its lab and testing capacity, so that by Saturday, testing will be available in 31 counties, and soon after, in all 33 of the state’s counties.

“Sandia Labs has started testing, and Los Alamos National Laboratories hopes to be up soon,” Kunkel said.

Lujan Grisham said the stores still open need to heed the 20 percent occupancy maximum.

“If New Mexicans are violating our instructions, we’re going to let you know you’re in violation,” she said.

“I know it’s really hard to isolate, and it gets increasingly difficult,” she said. “But we have an obligation to save as many lives as possible, and this is how we do it.”

She also talked about ongoing plans to help the state recover economically, and announced a $100 million State Investment Council program designed to help medium-sized companies, those with at least 40 employees.

She said Workforce Solutions has expanded its call center hours to 24 hours, seven days a week, as well as online at www.jobs.state.nm.us.

“We need you to stay in business and we want you to keep your employees employed,”she said.

“We’re all in this together, New Mexico.”