Fourth COVID-19 case reported in Quay County

Quay County recorded its fourth confirmed case of COVID-19, according to a Thursday afternoon briefing from the New Mexico Department of Health.

The agency typically does not identify the name or place of residence of coronavirus-positive victims.

However, incomplete data on the state's interactive website indicates three COVID-19 cases were in Tucumcari's ZIP code. Two were age 40 to 49; the other was 70 to 79. Two men and one woman were identified as confirmed with the virus.

To date, Quay County has seen one death from COVID-19, reported late last week.

After weeks without any cases, Quay County has recorded four since April 11.

A total of 66 people in the county had been tested for the virus.

The total number of coronavirus cases in New Mexico rose by 169 on Thursday to a total of 2,379. Though most of the cases are in heavily populated Bernalillo County, the largest concentration per capita has been observed in the northwest part of the state among Native American populations.

The death total in the state rose by seven on Thursday, to 78.

A total of 123 people have been hospitalized. A total of 573 have recovered from the disease.

In the U.S. on Thursday afternoon, more than 864,000 people were recorded, with more than 47,000 deaths.

These people may now be considered for COVID-19 testing, thanks to greater testing capacity in the state:

– Asymptomatic people who are close contacts or household members of New Mexico residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus;

– Asymptomatic residents in nursing homes;

– Asymptomatic people in congregant settings such as homeless shelters, group homes, detention centers;

– Symptomatic people displaying the COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath.

Those who wish to be tested can call the Department of Health's Tucumcari office at (575) 461-2610 for an appointment.