Despite ‘shelter-in-place’ mandate
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials announced 37 additional positive tests for COVID-19, and one death. The number of cases in the state stands at 136 as of March 26.
Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
Seven new cases in Bernalillo County:
- A female in her 20s
- A female in her 30s
- A male in his 40s
- A female in her 50s
- Three males in their 60s
- One new case in Chaves County:
- A female in her 50s
- Three new cases in Doña Ana County
- Three males in their 20s
- Two new cases in Sandoval County:
- A female in her 60s
- A male in his 70s
Six new cases in San Juan County:
- A female in her teens
- A female in her 30s
- A male in his 30s
- A female in her 40s
- A female in hyer 50s
- A male in his 60s
Five new cases in Santa Fe County:
- A male in his 30s
- Two females in their 40s
- A male in his 40s
- A female in her 60s
Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 136 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: 55
- Cibola County: 1
- Chaves County: 4
- Curry County: 1
- Doña Ana County: 16
- Eddy County: 1
- Lea County: 1
- McKinley County: 3
- Rio Arriba County: 2
- Sandoval County: 10
- San Juan County: 14
- San Miguel County: 1
- Santa Fe County: 22
- Socorro County: 2
- Taos County: 3
There was one new case in Eddy County this week. It became the state’s first death related to COVID-19. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, a male in his late 70s in Eddy County died March 22 at Artesia General Hospital, the very same day he arrived at the hospital. His condition deteriorated rapidly. The man had multiple chronic underlying health issues. He died March 22.
Although A COVID-19 test was performed locally and sent to the state laboratory, the lab didn’t receive the test until March 24. It confirmed the test as positive late the same day.
U.S. Representative Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M. expressed her regrets.
“This week, our neighbors are grieving the loss of a friend and a loved one. I am sending my thoughts and prayers to the family at this time of mourning. This tragedy highlights the seriousness and extreme costs of COVID-19, and why we’ve got to use the best practices put forth by the NMDOH and CDC, including social distancing, to keep ourselves, our loved ones, neighbors, and strangers alike safe.”
The state Department of Health will update its dedicated COVID-19 webpage with additional tests as the state lab provides results.
Staff Reports
