New Mexico state health officials on Thursday, April 23, announced 169 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
- 31 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 1 new case in Chaves County
- 3 new cases in Cibola County
- 6 new cases in Doña Ana County
- 1 new case in Guadalupe County
- 1 new case in Harding County
- 3 new cases in Lea County
- 54 new cases in McKinley County
- 2 new cases in Otero County
- 1 new case in Quay County
- 4 new cases in Sandoval County
- 51 new cases in San Juan County
- 3 new cases in Santa Fe County
- 4 new cases in Socorro County
- 1 new case in Taos County
- 3 new cases in Valencia County
The Department of Health on Thursday also reported seven additional deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
Those cases are:
A woman in her 30s from Bernalillo County, a woman in her 70s from Bernalillo County, a woman in her 70s from McKinley County, a woman in her 80s from Sandoval County and a woman in her 90s from Sandoval County.
All five women were hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.
A woman in her 30s from San Juan County with underlying medical conditions.
A woman in her 90s from San Juan County. She had underlying medical conditions and was a resident of the Life Care Center in Farmington.
The number of deaths of New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 is now 78.
The Department of Health has identified positive COVID-19 cases in residents and/or staff at the following congregate living and acute care facilities:
- Advanced Health Care of Albuquerque in Albuquerque
- Aztec Health Care in Aztec
- Beehive Homes in Farmington
- Cedar Ridge Inn in Farmington
- Central Desert Behavioral Health in Albuquerque
- La Vida Llena in Albuquerque
- Legacy Santa Fe in Santa Fe
- Life Care Center of Farmington in Farmington
- Red Rocks Care Center in Gallup
- The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho
- Uptown Genesis in Albuquerque
- Wellbrook Rehabilitation Center in Farmington
Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 2,379 positive tests for COVID-19:
- Bernalillo County: 631
- Catron County: 1
- Chaves County: 22
- Cibola County: 38
- Colfax County: 5
- Curry County: 10
- Doña Ana County: 88
- Eddy County: 11
- Grant County: 14
- Guadalupe County: 3
- Harding County: 1
- Lea County: 8
- Lincoln County: 2
- Los Alamos County: 6
- Luna County: 3
- McKinley County: 573
- Otero County: 5
- Quay County: 4
- Rio Arriba County: 11
- Roosevelt County: 4
- Sandoval County: 345
- San Juan County: 390
- San Miguel County: 2
- Santa Fe County: 96
- Socorro County: 38
- Taos County: 17
- Torrance County: 13
- Valencia County: 38
Statewide, 46,563 tests have been performed for COVID-19 with 2,379 positive cases as of Thursday, April 23.
In Valencia County, there have been 1,084 tests, with 38 positive cases.
County totals are subject to change upon further investigation and determination of residency of individuals positive for COVID-19.
As of today, Thursday, April 23, there are 123 individuals hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19. This number may include individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 out of state but are currently hospitalized in New Mexico. This number does not include New Mexicans who tested positive for COVID-19 and may have been transferred to a hospital out of state.
As of today, Thursday, April 23, there are 573 COVID-19 cases designated as having recovered by the New Mexico Department of Health.
The Department of Health has detected community spread in the state of New Mexico and is investigating cases with no known exposure. The agency reports that given the infectious nature of the virus it is likely other residents are infected but yet to be tested or confirmed positive.
To that end, all New Mexicans have been instructed to stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare. These additional restrictions have been enacted to aggressively minimize person-to-person contact and ensure spread is mitigated.
All businesses except those deemed essential have been ordered to close. New Mexicans are strongly urged to limit travel to only what is necessary for health, safety and welfare.
The New Mexico Department of Health has active investigations into the positive patients, which includes contact-tracing and swabs of symptomatic individuals who have had contact with the positive cases.
Every New Mexican must work together to stem the spread of COVID-19. Stay home.
New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately, 1-855-600-3453.
Thanks to increased statewide testing capacity, the following people may now be considered for COVID-19 testing:
- Asymptomatic people who are close contacts or household members of New Mexico residents who have already tested positive for the coronavirus;
- Asymptomatic residents in nursing homes;
- Asymptomatic people in congregant settings such as homeless shelters, group homes, detention centers;
- Symptomatic people displaying the COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath.
New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated regularly as a one-stop source for information for families, workers and others affected by and seeking more information about COVID-19.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
