New Mexico sets single-day record with 875 virus cases

[left-of-center2012]

New Mexico set a single-day record of 875 new cases of the coronavirus Saturday as a wave of infections continued to spread. The spiraling outbreak has mirrored a surge across the Mountain West, leading to tighter restrictions on travel and commerce.

In New Mexico, 264 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 on Saturday, up from 229 on Friday. Overall, 80 percent of the state’s general hospital beds and 76 percent of intensive care beds were full, health officials said.

“The virus is spreading because New Mexicans are giving the virus opportunities to spread,” said Nora Meyers Sackett, a spokeswoman for the Governor’s Office. “The tools to stop the spread of COVID-19 remain the same — it has never been more critical that every one of us buckle down and use them.” Sackett urged residents to stay home except for absolutely necessary outings. If you must go out, wear a mask, she said.

New Mexico’s previous one-day high was 827 cases on Wednesday. New Mexico has had 41,040 confirmed infections since the pandemic began in mid-March. In all, 965 people in New Mexico have died of COVID-19. As of Saturday, 20,765 people in New Mexico had recovered from the illness.

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/coronavirus/new-mexico-sets-single-day-record-with-875-virus-cases/article_a09fffa4-1640-11eb-ad47-073951f66c73.html

[left-of-center2012]

1. Hundreds gather at N.M. capitol to protest Gov's public health orders

Hundreds of people packed the steps at the state house in Santa Fe Saturday to protest the governor’s public health orders and her response to the coronavirus pandemic.

"What you're doing right now is only creating revolt rather than compromise. Of course there's going to be setbacks if we open up, but we'll roll with the punches. The spirit of New Mexicans is resilient," said one speaker at the protest. "And I think shutting the entire state down for less than a percent of people dying from COVID is just ridiculous,” said Daniel Murphy, a protester. “You have a greater chance getting into a car wreck on the way home. Are we going to shut down the highways for that? It's just fiscally irresponsible."

Recently, the governor increased efforts to slow the spread of COVID and stressed the need to wear a mask and social distance. KOB 4 reached out to the governor’s office about the protest and a spokesperson sent the following statement:

"The virus is real. The data is not open to debate. The ‘restrictions’ are life-saving. New Mexico set another record for cases in a single day today. Our hospitals have never been closer to capacity. The deaths will follow and they are needless. The protesters are welcome to express that they do not care about New Mexicans getting sick and New Mexicans dying, but they are not welcome to their own set of facts about the pandemic. I am sure your coverage will call out any falsehoods you might have heard today and won't amplify dangerous fact-free anti-science rhetoric."

Regardless, protesters said they want restrictions to end. "Moving forward? Lift the shut down. We don't need it. If you want to stay home because you're scared that is totally fine. America is about choices,” said Jordan Danielle, a protester. "If you're scared and worried about catching it, stay home—and common sense is a huge issue. If you're sick and you have symptoms, stay home."

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/hundreds-gather-at-the-roundhouse-to-protest-the-gov-lujan-grishams-public-health-orders/5904775/?cat=500