Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Despite a bit of an upswing in cases since mid-April, Quay County remained in the coveted turquoise zone in the latest COVID-19 risk assessments last week by the New Mexico Department of Health.
It remains doubtful the county will stay in that zone when the next assessment comes in early June. Quay County remains mired in of the worst outbreaks of coronavirus in New Mexico. A drop in the county’s COVID-19 risk rating would mean new restrictions on businesses, including the possible closing of indoor dining at restaurants and the closing of bars.
Staying in the turquoise zone last week was more of an accident of timing when the state rejiggered its red-to-turquoise criteria in late April.
Among those changes was turquoise counties would be assessed only once a month, compared to the usual every two weeks. That gives Quay County time to see its numbers flatten before the next assessment in early June.
Quay County’s latest assessment did show the spike in COVID-19 cases. During the latest assessment period from April 20 to May 3, its daily cases per 100,000 people was 26.4, well above the new metric of 10. Its test-positivity rate was 15.35%, well above the metric of 7.5%.
Quay County last week had the second-worst daily case rate in New Mexico (only San Juan County was worse) and the worst test-positivity rate in the state.
The county has recorded more than 50 cases since April 19, prompting the partial closing or large-scale quarantines at three area districts and the cancellation of sports events.
A total of 31.7% of the county’s residents were fully vaccinated by May 3, also under the benchmark of 40%. New Mexico’s goal is to have 60% of its residents fully vaccinated by late June and lift all the red-to-turquoise restrictions.
It appeared doubtful Quay County would remain in turquoise during the next assessment on June 2. The county already has recorded 20 cases since May 4, which already is its upper limit for a one-month time period.
The county’s test-positivity rate since May 4 also was over 12%, well above the metric of 7.5%. At current testing rates, Quay County would need at least two weeks of zero to low case rates to drop to the desired test-positivity level.
Quay County also has been a persistent laggard in full vaccination rates, a third metric recently adopted in the red-to-turquoise plan. On Saturday, the county’s full vaccination rate was 31.5%, compared to the state average of 47.1%. The county’s rate would have to rise to 50% by early June to meet that criteria.
A news release from the New Mexico Tourism last week stated 30 of the state’s 33 counties had attained the turquoise zone. The only county not in the turquoise or green zone was Chaves, which remained in the yellow.
Here are the adjusted restrictions for the turquoise level:
Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions but operations must be limited to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions;
Essential retail spaces: 75% of maximum capacity indoors; no restrictions on outdoor spaces.
Food and drink establishments (if NM Safe Certified): 75% of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75% of maximum capacity for outdoor dining;
Close-contact businesses: 75% of maximum capacity; no restrictions on outdoor spaces;
Large entertainment venues: 33% of maximum capacity for any indoor/enclosed space on premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises;
Recreational facilities: 50% of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on the premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises;
Bars and clubs: 33% of maximum capacity of any indoor/enclosed space on premises; 75% of any outdoor space on premises, where applicable;
All other businesses: 75% of maximum capacity indoors; no restrictions on outdoor spaces;
Churches: May operate at 100% capacity indoors or outdoors should they so choose;
Places of lodging: No maximum occupancy restrictions for those that have completed NM Safe Certified training; 50% of maximum occupancy for all others; 15 guests maximum for vacation rentals;
Mass gatherings limit: 150 persons.