SANTA FE — New Mexico reported 178 new coronavirus cases and two more deaths Tuesday as infections continued to climb.
The share of tests that come back positive is also climbing — to about 3%, about a percentage point higher than it was three weeks ago.
In an online briefing Tuesday, Human Services Secretary David Scrase encouraged New Mexicans to stay home more often, avoid large gatherings and be sure to wear a mask in public settings.
The state is on track to blow past its goal of averaging just 168 or fewer new cases a day. Passing the threshold, Scrase said, would put a halt to any further relaxation of the public health order “until we get this under control.”
The deaths reported Tuesday were men from Eddy County — one in his 30s and one in his 80s, both with underlying medical conditions. The statewide coronavirus death toll now stands at 875 people.
Bernalillo County led the state with 48 new infections Tuesday.
