Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Quay County has its first official case of COVID-19.
State officials on Saturday afternoon reported a confirmed positive case of the coronavirus during its daily emailed briefing.
The state Department of Health does not reveal the town where the patient resides or any other information. A phone call to the agency Saturday wasn't immediately returned.
The first Quay County coronavirus case occurred two days after management for the Quay Apartments in Tucumcari sent a letter to all residents warning of a resident who was exposed to the virus or tested positive for it.
“The affected resident has been advised to follow the guidance of local health officials, including observing an isolation period,” the letter stated Thursday.
In a joint statement by the city of Tucumcari, village of San Jon and Quay County, it stated the Department of Health will investigate the Quay County case and that its office at 310 S. Second St. in Tucumcari will provide COVID-19 testing to those exposed in that case.
"It is now more important than ever that the citizens of Quay County practice social distancing" and follow federal and state orders and guidelines regarding the virus, the release stated. "Mitigation is our best weapon against COVID-19."
The state on Saturday reported 86 more additional positive tests for COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,174. That includes 19 deaths and 78 hospitalizations.
The total number does not include those who tested positive for COVID-19 and may have been transferred to a hospital out of state. It also may include people who tested positive for COVID-19 out of state but are hospitalized in New Mexico.
Residents who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should immediately call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline at (855) 600-3453.
Because of higher statewide testing capacity, these people may be considered for COVID-19 testing:
-- Asymptomatic people who are close contacts or household members of New Mexico residents who have tested positive for coronavirus;
-- Asymptomatic residents in nursing homes;
-- Asymptomatic people in congregant settings such as homeless shelters, group homes and detention centers;
-- Symptomatic people displaying the COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath.
Also, on the eve of Easter, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced houses of worship now must abide by a public health order banning mass gatherings to mitigate the virus' spread.
Churches previously were exempt from the public health emergency order banning mass gatherings, defined as five or more people in a single confined space. That order was amended Saturday.