Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
SANTA FE — New Mexico reported 21 more coronavirus deaths Tuesday as hospitalizations fell just short of a record high.
The fatalities — including two men in their 20s and 30s, both with underlying medical conditions — pushed the statewide death toll to 1,589 residents.
The number of COVID-19 patients in New Mexico hospitals climbed to 909 — just short of the record of 919, set Sunday.
New cases also climbed, following a dip that lasted about a week.
The state reported 2,330 new cases Tuesday, the most in over a week. The state is now averaging 1,884 cases a day, more than 10 times the state’s reopening target of 168 cases a day.
Human Services Secretary David Scrase said earlier this week that New Mexico’s case totals appeared to be reaching a plateau, a welcome development after strong growth since mid-September.
Tuesday was the final day of a 15-day shutdown order that prohibited much of New Mexico’s in-person business activity.
Relaxed restrictions are set to begin Wednesday under a new county-by-county system that establishes three tiers of regulations, depending on statistical targets in each county.
Most of the state — Los Alamos County is the only exception — will start in the red level, the most stringent tier. But even in red counties, restaurants can offer outdoor dining and most businesses can reopen at partial capacity.
Los Alamos is set to start in the yellow, meaning indoor restaurant dining will be permitted at 25% capacity.
The color-coded map of restrictions will be updated every two weeks on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s fatalities continued the disease’s disproportionate impact on older adults and people with preexisting medical conditions. Eighteen of the 21 victims were in their 60s or older.
Curry and Doña Ana counties had the most deaths, with four each.
