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COVID-19 Map
Instances of the COVID-19 Delta variant—aka B.1.617.2—continue to grow in New Mexico, with this week’s epidemiology report on such variants of concern showing 33 sequenced cases—30 of which investigators matched to specific cases in seven counties. Last week’s report showed 18 Delta variant specimens in four counties.
The Alpha variant, B.1.1.7, first identified in the United Kingdom, remains the state’s most dominant (as a point of comparison, there were 1,208 sequenced cases with the Alpha variant, according to this week’s report). However, state health officials have said they expect the Delta variant, first identified in India, to represent approximately 70% of the state’s cases in the coming months, due to its its faster transmissibility—60% higher than the B.1.17 variant, according to some estimates.
Studies thus far show the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective against Delta and the other variants (Johnson & Johnson hasn’t released data yet on its one-dose shot).
juliagoldberg@sfreporter.com
VOC case report June 28 DOH
Santa Fe County has not had any documented instances of the Delta variant yet, and 55 of the Alpha variant. Guadalupe County has had the most instances of the Delta variant, last week and this week, with 13, followed by San Juan County with seven. Bernalillo, Cibola, Los Alamos San Miguel and Valencia counties also have had cases with the Delta variant.
New Mexico health officials today reported 66 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total so far to 205,542 since the first cases on March 11, 2020. The health department has designated 194,553 of those cases as recovered.
As of tomorrow, July 1, all pandemic-related occupancy restrictions on all forms of commercial activity will be lifted and all businesses can operate at 100% of maximum capacity. In addition, all limitations on mass gatherings are gone; businesses, large events and organizations may operate at 100% of maximum capacity, whether indoor or outdoor. Say goodbye to the turquoise map, as well: The state also ends its county color-coded framework for restrictions today and has issued a new public health order.
According to a news release from the governor’s office, the state will continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance regarding face-coverings, with masks required for unvaccinated people (face masks haven’t been required for fully vaccinated people in New Mexico since May 14). Businesses, workplaces and tribes may continue to require masks at their discretion, and most health care facilities will continue to require masking, screen for COVID-19 symptoms and take other COVID-19 precautions.
“I am incredibly proud of New Mexico,” the governor said in a statement. “We stepped up. We looked out for one another. We sacrificed, and we saved lives. And now we’re all ready for a safe and fun summer. Lord knows New Mexicans have earned it. Please, get your shot if you haven’t already—don’t risk these dangerous new variants that present incredible risk to unvaccinated and even young people. Go to vaccineNM.org and help protect yourself and your family.”
Today also marks SFR’s last day in daily afternoon reporting of COVID-19 case counts. Daily numbers will remain available, as long as the health department reports them, through the Morning Word newsletter. Sign up here.
Among today’s cases, Bernalillo County had 21 new ones, followed by San Juan County with 10 and McKinley County with six. Santa Fe County had two new cases.
The state also announced two additional deaths, one recent, from Otero and Curry counties; there have now been 4,340 fatalities.
As of today, 64 people are hospitalized with COVID-19.*
Currently, 70.7% of New Mexicans have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 62% are fully vaccinated. In Santa Fe County, 78.3% have had at least one dose and 69.5% are fully inoculated.
New cases
- 21 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 2 new cases in Chaves County
- 3 new cases in Cibola County
- 4 new cases in Curry County
- 5 new cases in Doña Ana County
- 1 new case in Eddy County
- 2 new cases in Lea County
- 1 new case in Los Alamos County
- 6 new cases in McKinley County
- 2 new cases in Otero County
- 1 new case in Rio Arriba County
- 3 new cases in Sandoval County
- 10 new cases in San Juan County
- 2 new cases in Santa Fe County
- 1 new case in Socorro County
- 2 new cases in Valencia County
New fatalities
- A female in her 80s from Otero County who had underlying conditions
Newly reported fatalities from more than 30 days ago
- A male in his 40s from Curry County who had underlying conditions
Congregate facilities
The Department of Health has identified at least one positive COVID-19 case in residents and/or staff in the past 28 days at the following facilities:
Statewide cases
County totals are subject to change upon further investigation and determination of residency of individuals positive for COVID-19.
- Bernalillo County: 59,118
- Catron County: 97
- Chaves County: 9,073
- Cibola County: 2,909
- Colfax County: 799
- Curry County: 5,332
- De Baca County: 178
- Doña Ana County: 25,108
- Eddy County: 6,955
- Grant County: 1,751
- Guadalupe County: 469
- Harding County: 13
- Hidalgo County: 367
- Lea County: 8,449
- Lincoln County: 1,765
- Los Alamos County: 538
- Luna County: 3,382
- McKinley County: 12,382
- Mora County: 175
- Otero County: 4,072
- Quay County: 537
- Rio Arriba County: 3,794
- Roosevelt County: 2,030
- Sandoval County: 12,250
- San Juan County: 15,730
- San Miguel County: 1,408
- Santa Fe County: 10,614
- Sierra County: 779
- Socorro County: 1,330
- Taos County: 1,721
- Torrance County: 887
- Union County: 260
- Valencia County: 6,920
Cases among people being held by federal agencies
- Cibola County Correctional Center: 449
- Otero County Federal Prison Facility: 447
- Otero County Processing Center: 261
- Torrance County Detention Facility: 202
Cases among people being held by the New Mexico Department of Corrections
- Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Valencia County: 301
- Guadalupe County Correctional Facility: 255
- Lea County Correctional Facility: 762
- Northeast New Mexico Correctional Facility in Union County: 167
- Northwest New Mexico Correctional Center in Cibola County: 128
- Otero County Prison Facility: 473
- Penitentiary of New Mexico in Santa Fe County: 219
- Roswell Correctional Center: 229
- Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility in Doña Ana County: 231
- Springer Correctional Center in Colfax County: 151
- Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Cibola County: 75
*Per the health department, hospitalization figures include people who were tested elsewhere but are hospitalized in New Mexico, but don’t include people who were tested here but are hospitalized out of state.
