Infections trend downward in Curry, Roosevelt

The infection trends on COVID-19 are continuing downward for Curry and Roosevelt counties, with just seven local cases reported Monday by the Department of Health.

The DOH report included four Curry County cases and three Roosevelt County cases among the 487 statewide. Also, no locals were among the 12 statewide deaths announced in the Monday release.

January saw a dramatic drop for Roosevelt County in total cases, with 260 in the month compared to 508 in December and 514 in November. However, January was a high month for the county with 18 deaths, compared to 13 in December and 14 total between June and December.

Curry County’s drop from 848 cases in December to 705 in January wasn’t nearly as dramatic, but the January total was less than half of the November spike of 1,559 cases.

Curry County has recorded 61 total deaths since July, with 16 in January following a record 24 in December.

• Plains Regional Medical Center reported just seven patients Monday and eight on Tuesday for COVID-19. However, the ICU numbers on those patients were three on Monday and four on Tuesday.

• BNSF Railways was the only local establishment on the Environment Department’s Rapid Response Watchlist. The list included 49 establishments 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.

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.