SANTA FE – New Mexico’s weekly average for new confirmed COVID-19 cases is continuing its downward trend, as state health officials reported just more than 600 additional cases Tuesday.
The death toll increased only slightly as 14 additional people succumbed to the virus, and hospitalizations because of the virus marked another decline.
Officials have said they’re encouraged by the latest numbers and are hopeful that the federal government will begin distributing more vaccine doses soon.
New Mexico’s allocation has remained steady, but with current supplies it could be weeks before more people become eligible.
So far, more than 90% of the 235,000 doses that have been delivered to New Mexico have been administered. State health officials say more than 750,000 people are eligible, and more than 522,000 people have registered online to get their shots.
New Mexico’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities were part of the first phase of vaccinations, and officials announced Tuesday that all 309 such facilities in the state have had a vaccine clinic where the first dose was provided.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham acknowledged in a statement that she knows people want the process to be faster and for vaccines to be accessible in more places.
State health officials said the nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are working with the Health Department and pharmacies to set up more clinics so that second doses can be provided and to give first shots to any residents or staff who missed the first round of clinics.
“It’s important to remember that you are not fully protected until you have had both doses of the COVID vaccine,” Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “We are very eager to see this vulnerable population fully vaccinated and better protected from COVID-19.”
In all, more than 12,000 long-term care staff and residents were vaccinated during the first clinics.
