Curry, Roosevelt likely to remain in red

When the state posts its “Red to Green” county gating material today, it is anticipated both Curry and Roosevelt counties will remain in the red. But both counties are showing improvements in test positivity.

The state in December created public health restrictions at three levels, depending on whether a county was in the red, yellow or green zones. The designations were given based on benchmarks of 8 daily cases per 100,000 residents and test positivity at 5% or below over a two-week data collection period.

Counties are green if they meet both, yellow if they meet one and red if they meet neither.

During the Dec. 30 update, Curry County was at 43 daily cases per 100,000 and 15.3% test positivity, while Roosevelt County was at 94.8 daily cases per 100,000 and 26.25% test positivity.

Between Dec. 30 and Monday:

• Curry County recorded 404 new cases and test positivity of 13%, based on 3,351 tests conducted since Dec. 30. To reach the 8 daily cases per 100,000 threshold, Curry must have 56 or fewer cases over a two-week period.

• Roosevelt County recorded 159 new cases and test positivity of 18.2%, based on 874 tests conducted since Dec. 30. To reach the 8 daily cases per 100,000 threshold, Curry must have 23 or fewer cases over a two-week period.

Monday saw the state report 933 total COVID-19 cases, including 33 in Curry County and 15 in Roosevelt County. Neither county reported one of the 15 statewide deaths reported.

Clovis’ 88101 ZIP code was fourth among the state for COVID-19 cases reported Monday, with Albuquerque’s 87121 reporting the most at 51 cases.

• Plains Regional Medical Center report 14 COVID-19 patients, with one in intensive care. Thursday, Interim Administrator Jorge Cruz said, was the first time in months the hospital’s ICU was empty, though not all of the ICU patients were COVID-19 patients.

• The Environment Department’s Rapid Response Watchlist included five local establishments, all in Clovis, among a list of 78 that have accumulated at least two rapid responses within 14 days.

The state initiates a rapid response when it learns of a positive COVID-19 case in a workplace. The state agency initiating the rapid response will offer direction to establishments regarding testing, quarantining and isolating, disinfecting, and COVID-safe practices.

The Clovis locations are Mental Health Resources with five rapid responses and the other four with two each — Albertsons Market, BNSF Railway, Southwest Cheese and Kindred At Home.

An establishment that reaches four rapid responses inside 14 days is under consideration for a 14-day closure. However, no local establishment has been closed under such a directive despite exceeding the threshold.