Copyright © 2021 Albuquerque Journal
The daily number of COVID-19 cases and deaths from the virus keep sliding downward as New Mexico health officials on Saturday reported 424 new cases and eight additional deaths.
The seven-day average of cases was 526 a day, the lowest it has been since Oct. 17, and the rolling average of deaths dropped to 17 a day, the lowest it has been since mid-November.
The average number of cases has been falling since early January, while the average number of deaths began decreasing from near-record highs on Jan. 24.
Of the eight most recent deaths, five involved underlying conditions. The deceased ranged in age from their 60s to their 80s.
The majority of new cases were in Bernalillo County, with 124, and Doña Ana County, with 56.
There were also six new cases reported among inmates at the Lea County Correctional Facility.
The state has reported 177,214 COVID-19 cases and 3,386 deaths from the virus since March.
There are 419 people hospitalized with the virus across New Mexico, and that number may include those who tested positive out of state but are hospitalized here.
As of Saturday, 110,240 virus cases have been designated as recovered by the state Department of Health.
