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Doña Ana Co. has 10% of NM’s virus cases, 14% of deaths; businesses get testing option to avoid closure

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SANTA FE, New Mexico -- New Mexico officials on Tuesday reported an additional 2,107 Covid-19 cases, bringing the statewide total to nearly 86,500 since the pandemic began.

In southern New Mexico, the latest confirmed cases included 202 in Doña Ana County (10% of the state's total), 48 in Otero County and 26 in Luna County.

Another 28 deaths also were reported across the state and more than 870 people were hospitalized as of Tuesday.

The latest deaths included four Doña Ana County residents (14% of the state's total), all in their 70s or 80s, who had been hospitalized. Another fatality involved a man in his 60s from Luna County who was also in the hospital.

Meantime, health officials said Tuesday that New Mexico grocery stores and other essential businesses could avoid mandatory closures triggered by Covid-19 surges among employees if they agree to regularly test their workers and help with the state's contact tracing efforts.

The state health and environment departments announced the voluntary program in which a business would have to submit a plan that details surveillance testing and contact tracing efforts for each of its locations.

If positive cases are discovered as a result of the testing, the resulting rapid response by the state will not count toward the mandatory 14-day closure requirement in the current public health order. The program also clears a path for businesses currently closed to be allowed to reopen before the 14-day period is over.

“Proactive testing is an essential tool in combating the spread of this virus,” acting Health Secretary Billy Jimenez said. “Partners in the private sector through these agreements will make a significant and positive impact in curbing Covid-19 in New Mexico.”

State officials already have acknowledged that the current rate of testing would have to more than double to effectively identify and track infections. The state currently is averaging close to 12,000 tests a day as laboratories are working around the clock to keep up with demand and volunteers are being sought to help with the effort.

Below you can see county-by-county data for virus cases and deaths across New Mexico. The data comes from Johns Hopkins University, so the numbers may sometimes vary a bit from what's reported by the state health department.

Article Topic Follows: New Mexico

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