ALBUQUERQUE N.M. (AP) - New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham warned Thursday that the alarm bells are ringing as the number of COVID-19 cases and the rate of spread are on the rise in the state.
She said the state is trending in the wrong direction and asked people during an online briefing to recommit to wearing masks, staying home and avoiding large gatherings, noting that she doesn’t want another wave of infections or more lockdowns.
She instead floated the idea of people limiting their daily activities rather than going to multiple places in a single day. She said the more interaction people have, the greater the opportunity for the virus to spread.
“The guidelines we’ve put in place are strong enough to manage the virus so let’s just do that,” she said.
State health officials on Thursday reported an additional 227 COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total to more than 29,660 since the pandemic began. Another five deaths also were reported to bring the death toll to more than 880.
Officials also reported that 86 people were hospitalized, marking a 30% increase over the past week.
Studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The governor pointed to an increase in the number of rapid responses by state health officials to businesses around the state where cases have been reported, saying last week’s level rivals those of early August.
“We have sacrificed so much in this state,” she said. “We’ve lost New Mexicans. We have folks with chronic illnesses, folks who couldn’t go back to work. We’ve lost businesses, family businesses. We can’t allow the sacrifices we’ve made for each other to be in vain.”
At New Mexico State University, officials announced this week that classes will be entirely online after the Thanksgiving break and that the college’s fall commencement will not be held in-person because of coronavirus restrictions.
University President John Floros said in a memo issued Wednesday that the university surveyed students, faculty and staff at the Las Cruces campus to gauge their opinions on returning following the break. Of the more than 6,600 responses, over 70% of faculty and staff and 60% of students favored online-only courses.
“Nearly half of the comments received mentioned concerns about elevated risk of viral transmission associated with travel and holiday celebrations,” he said.
Despite the change, officials said the campus will remain open and will provide housing, dining and other services.
Floros said the university plans to return to in-person classes next semester.
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