NM reports strong day of vaccinations

State closes in on 60% goal; 130 new cases, 2 deaths added to list

SANTA FE — New Mexico’s share of fully vaccinated residents grew by 0.4 percentage points on Friday — to 57.6% — after the state reported another 10,000 people completed their COVID-19 vaccinations.

The daily vaccine numbers had been moving more slowly this week, climbing in the range of 0.2 percentage points a day, so Friday’s progress was about twice the usual pace.

The uptick pushed the state closer to its goal of reaching 60% of the population fully vaccinated — after which state officials say they expect to lift capacity restrictions on businesses.

Altogether, according to state data, 967,553 residents 16 years and older have been fully vaccinated, or about 40,810 short of what would be needed for 60%.

The state also reported figures for younger New Mexicans, who aren’t counted toward the target.

About 10% of residents age 12 to 15 are now vaccinated, a total of 10,840.

In its daily virus update, the Department of Health also reported:

■ 130 new cases of COVID-19, including 35 in Bernalillo County and 32 in San Juan County.

■ Two more virus-related deaths, pushing the state’s official total to 4,297 fatalities during the pandemic. The recent deaths included a man in his 40s from San Juan County and a woman in her 80s from Torrance County.

■ 93 individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 in New Mexico, or seven fewer than the day before.

During a Friday news conference, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham touted New Mexico’s progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19. The average number of daily cases and share of tests that come back positive are at their lowest levels in months.

“I’m very enthusiastic about the fact we’re seeing a lower number of cases and a lower positivity rate,” the governor said.