Easter weekend deaths
New Mexico reported four deaths related to COVID-19 over the holiday weekend
New Mexico reported four COVID-19-related deaths over Easter weekend, when the state wasn’t providing daily updates.
For the past week, the state has averaged 195 new cases and four deaths per day, according to a Journal analysis. The total statewide death toll since the start of the pandemic stands at 3,953.
The Department of Health resumed daily COVID updates Monday after not releasing any data over the holiday weekend.
There were 199 new cases Saturday and two deaths; 170 cases Sunday and two deaths; and 96 cases Monday, with no new deaths to report, according to a DOH news release.
On Monday, all New Mexico residents 16 and older became eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Department said. The Biden administration had called on states to do so by next month.
“President Biden directed states to make all adults eligible for vaccine by May 1. New Mexico will hit that target nearly a month early,” Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said in a news release.
The Department of Health said it will continue to prioritize those ages 75 and older and those ages 60 and above with chronic health conditions.
Health officials said some providers throughout the state are having a hard time finding people to vaccinate, so the state has opened up eligibility to everyone 16 or older.
Vaccine equity drive
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will announce Tuesday that New Mexico will receive millions of dollars to spend on getting folks in racial and ethnic minorities vaccinated.
The state was awarded $24.6 million to increase vaccine distribution, in part, by targeting those disproportionately affected by COVID-19, according to a CDC news release. Specifically, the money will help those who are in racial and ethnic minorities get vaccinated.
For example, the money can be used to hire community members to go door to door to raise awareness about COVID vaccines and to help people sign up for appointments. The award is New Mexico’s portion of a $3billion vaccine-related item included in the American Rescue Plan and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, according to the CDC.
At least 75% of the money has to be used to increase vaccine access, acceptance and distribution among racial and ethnic minorities, according to the news release.
New Mexico is one of the leading states in the nation by some measures of vaccine rollout, such as the percentage of shots that have been distributed.
But a CDC report last month found the state to be the 37th of 48 states in vaccine coverage for residents living with “high vulnerabilities.”
A state vaccine dashboard shows that more than 40% of white New Mexicans have had at least one vaccine shot. But only about one in four black New Mexicans and one in three Hispanic or Latino residents have.
“We are doing everything we can to expand access to vaccinations,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. “Millions of Americans are getting vaccinated every day, but we need to ensure that we are reaching those in the communities hit hardest by this pandemic. This investment will support state and local health departments and community-based organizations as they work on the frontlines to increase vaccine access, acceptance, and uptake.”