Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
SANTA FE – For the second time in a week, New Mexico had no new coronavirus deaths to report Monday, leaving the death toll unchanged at 823 residents.
The number of new infections detected by testing also fell – to just 81, less than half of the state’s target of 168 or fewer cases a day.
Monday’s cases included 11 infections among state inmates in Lea County.
Bernalillo County, home to Albuquerque, led New Mexico with 22 new cases Monday, followed by 15 cases in Luna County in the southern part of the state.
The positivity rate – the share of tests that come back positive – is also falling. It dipped to 1.9% over the most recent seven-day period, or just half what it was the week ending Aug. 1.
The number of deaths each day has plunged to about 2.3 over the last week, just a fraction of the 10.3 deaths a day on average in mid-May.
The state didn’t report any deaths Tuesday last week either.
Altogether, the state has confirmed 26,842 cases of COVID-19 since March.
Health officials Monday also said they have designated 14,470 people as having recovered from the disease, though the number is almost certainly higher because of gaps in reporting.
There are 60 virus patients in New Mexico hospitals, officials said, just one more than the day before. The figure may include out-of-state residents who are hospitalized in New Mexico.
