SANTA FE – New Mexico on Friday recorded another 181 coronavirus cases, pushing the statewide total to more than 4,670.
The state Health Department announced the latest numbers, saying there were also nine additional deaths attributed to COVID-19. That includes five deaths in McKinley County, a rural area along the New Mexico-Arizona border that includes Gallup and part of the Navajo Nation. About 180 people have died in total.
Despite its lower population, McKinley County has been hit particularly hard. It leads New Mexico in the number of confirmed cases, accounting for nearly one of every three cases statewide.
Gallup, the county seat and an economic hub for tens of thousands of Navajos and others in the surrounding area, will remain under a lockdown until noon Sunday. The order limits business hours and says residents should remain at home except for emergency outings.
Beyond the northwest corner of New Mexico, state officials are beginning to ease some restrictions as they look for opportunities to restart the economy. The pace of the phased-in approach will depend on the number of cases reported over the coming weeks.
On Friday, officials announced dentists in all but three counties may resume providing nonessential care as long as they agree to comply with guidelines developed to protect the supply of personal protective equipment.
State health officials said about 200 people are hospitalized because of the virus and that cases have turned up in nearly 30 nursing homes and group homes around the state.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, even death.
