State health officials plan to renew New Mexico's indoor mask mandate
"If one of the people watching this press conference has a heart attack right now, there's a good chance we won't have an intensive care unit for that person here in New Mexico."
According to The New York Times, COVID-19 cases are surging faster in New Mexico than in any other state in the country.
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, there are multiple factors contributing to the spike. Officials pointed to reduced compliance with COVID-safe practices. There is a public health order in place requiring masking indoors, but often those requirements are going to the wayside. That – coupled with the Delta variant, which is more contagious – is putting even more stress on local hospitals.
"They are seeing way more patients than they thought possible, ICU occupancy rates are over 120%," said Dr. David Scrase, NMDOH acting secretary.
https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/state-health-officials-plan-to-renew-new-mexicos-indoor-mask-mandate/6297309/
A billboard bore a warning in Rio Rancho, N.M., near Albuquerque.
Credit Susan Montoya Bryan/Associated Press
