Easter at a distance

The latest directive Saturday from New Mexico's governor to stem the spread of coronavirus expanded the state's public-gatherings ban to places of worship - one day before Easter.

Numerous area churches, mindful of maintaining social distancing during the pandemic, kept their buildings empty and streamed services on Easter Sunday to parishioners over the internet as they had in previous weeks.

One exception was First Christian Church in Tucumcari, which held a drive-in service in its parking lot Sunday morning. Church members sat in a half-dozen parked vehicles as Pastor Wheeler Hughes gave his sermon with the help of a portable public-address system.

Hughes said the extra time afforded by the state's stay-at-home recommendation should give people time to reflect and become better Christians.

"We crave fellowship" inside a church building, he said, but added: "Church is all of us being together."

Hughes and other church members also gave away free Easter bags and hotdog lunches to children from the front curb of the church Saturday.

While acknowledging the cancellation of in-person services was painful, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham gave thanks to churches that had done so.

"I am so grateful for the support and cooperation from the vast majority of religious leaders of all faiths who have already made the difficult decision to cancel services in the interest of the health and safety of their members," she stated in a news release with the Saturday's order. "I understand the tremendous social and spiritual burden this places on New Mexicans, but ultimately, we must do everything we can to limit the spread of COVID-19, including being absolutely clear that mass gatherings of any type are not permitted in houses of worship."

Only 11 of 39 states with stay-at-home orders have exceptions for religious gatherings, and most of those require social distancing.

"We know that you want to practice your faith, as you should. But this year we must remember that home is holy. The best thing you can do for your community is to stay there," Lujan Grisham said.

Case updates

The number of COVID-19 cases in New Mexico increased by 107 on Monday to 1,345. That included six more deaths for a total of 31. A total of 87 are hospitalized.

Quay County’s number of confirmed cases remained at one, first reported Saturday, with no deaths.

A total of 304 New Mexicans have recovered from the virus.

Though heavily populated Bernalillo County has the most cases at 455, the most cases per-capita is in the northwestern part of the state, where community spread is reported in Native American populations.

More than a half-million cases were confirmed in the United States, with more than 23,000 deaths.

New Mexico residents who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath should call their health care provider or the state Department of Health hotline immediately at 855-600-3453.

State response

During a news briefing last week, Lujan Grisham spent some time explaining recovery plans for businesses once the pandemic has waned.

She said the New Mexico Recovery Fund would make aid available for medium-size companies of 40 workers or more for up to $10 million per loan.

State Human Services Secretary David Scrase noted the number of occupied intensive-care beds was falling, partly because hospitals have temporarily stopped elective surgeries.

Scrase said models indicate the pandemic would peak in late May, but noted other areas of the state may see the peak occur sooner. The state is preparing self-isolation sites, with room and food provided, and a coronavirus-only nursing home.

Lujan Grisham said the state had served 15 cease-and-desist orders to nonessential businesses that operated illegally during the pandemic.

Ray Wilson, public information officer for New Mexico State Police, said Friday that officers investigated eight complaints of alleged motel-occupancy violations in Quay County since March 22. All were in Tucumcari, and no citations were issued. Tucumcari Police Chief David Lathrom said Friday he was unaware of any such violations investigated by his department.

The Human Services Department on Friday announced it is distributing an enhanced payment of food stamps to households that did not receive the maximum SNAP benefits in March and April and are being affected by the pandemic. The new payment was scheduled to arrive this week.

The state's judicial branch, Department of Health and attorneys across New Mexico announced Friday they are working to prepare for possible court orders to isolate or quarantine individuals posing a public health threat during the outbreak.