NM coronavirus average number of cases drops

New Mexico’s average number of coronavirus cases has dropped dramatically in the past week — from 330 to about 200, records show.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham described the trend as strong progress toward reducing the prevalence of the disease, though she said late last week it’s too early to substantially relax the state’s business restrictions.

Locally, Curry County extended its number of consecutive days with at least one positive case to 57. Curry County averaged 11.4 new cases per day last week, but Roosevelt, Parmer and Bailey counties combined averaged fewer than four new cases per day.

No local deaths were attributed to the virus in the past week.

Other highlights:

• Curry County on Friday reported a sheriff’s deputy tested positive for COVID-19. County Manager Lance Pyle said the deputy was tested on Monday and has been quarantined since his test. As a result, three additional employees of the sheriff’s office were quarantined and planned to test Friday afternoon. They will remain in quarantine until test results are received.

• The New Mexico Environment Department announced it is requiring employers in the state to disclose positive cases to the state within four hours of the virus’ detection.

The department’s rapid response data on Saturday listed just 71 positive tests from Curry and Roosevelt counties — just over 10 percent of the counties’ combined 693 confirmed cases.

The state’s Department of Health has said the region’s cases are a result of “community spread,” and that no local businesses have large numbers of positive cases.

The city of Clovis has reported six positive tests among employees since the pandemic began — two in the fire department and one each in the police, public works, internet technology and emergency management departments.

City Manager Justin Howalt said all of the individuals who tested positive have recovered and are back at work.

The Environment Department data is at:

http://www.env.nm.gov/nmed-resources-for-covid-19/

The Albuquerque Journal contributed to this report.