ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico health officials said Wednesday that modeling suggests the surge in COVID-19 infections is expected to peak within the coming week.
State Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase said during a virtual meeting with health care organizations that the omicron variant was running out of people in New Mexico to infect.
Still, he told the group that New Mexico is not at a point where public health orders or the statewide mask mandate can be lifted.
So when will that be?
“When case counts are down and when we feel the pandemic is under control,” he answered. “We really want to transition New Mexico into learning to live with COVID.”
Confirmed infections have been reported in more than 21% of New Mexicans since the pandemic began, while just over 5% of cases have resulted in hospitalizations and 1.4% of cases in death.
State data also shows that more than 46% of the COVID-19 infections reported over the last four weeks were among those who are vaccinated.
Democratic Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury of Albuquerque announced that she tested positive despite being vaccinated and receiving her booster.
She said in a statement late Tuesday that she sought medical guidance “after experiencing respiratory symptoms” and was quarantining at home.
She reiterated that people should get vaccinated.
“I am deeply grateful to all of our health care workers who are working on the front lines every day to save lives and care for our communities, and to the scientists and researchers who have developed safe, effective vaccines to meet this unprecedented challenge,” she said.
More than 60% of eligible New Mexicans have received boosters, according to the state Health Department.
