Quay to remain in turquoise for next few weeks

Quay County will remain in the turquoise zone for COVID-19 risk for the next few weeks, according to state officials during a health briefing last week.

All New Mexico counties landed in the turquoise zone, thanks to a new public order Wednesday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Health officials said during the briefing that because of the state’s progress with vaccinations and a “continued positive outlook” with new cases, “counties will remain turquoise, barring exceptional circumstances” — such as an unforeseen mass outbreak — while the red-to-turquoise framework remains in effect.

Quay County would have met the criteria regardless after a sharp downtown in cases during the second half of May.

Quay County’s case rate from May 18 to May 31 was 5.1 daily cases per 100,000 people, well under the benchmark of 10 cases per 100,000. Its test positivity rate was 3.92%, also well under the benchmark of 7.5%.

The county’s full vaccination rate was only 36.1%, below the goal of 50%. Quay County would have needed to meet only two of the three criteria to stay in turquoise.

The county’s newest numbers were a far cry from the previous two-week period. From May 3 to May 17, Quay County saw a case rate of 40.8 per 100,000 people and a test-positivity rate of 13.6%. Its full vaccination rate was 34.3%, below the standard of 45%.

The county saw more than 90 cases of COVID-19 from mid-April through mid-May

Because its previous rating landed in the turquoise, Quay County avoided a downgrade in mid-May because assessments for those counties occurred monthly instead of every two weeks. Otherwise, Quay County would have been in the red zone, with more regulations for businesses.

With the governor’s all-turquoise order, it kept several neighboring counties from degrading into the yellow zone. Roosevelt, Harding, De Baca and Guadalupe counties missed one or both of the daily case rate or positivity-rate benchmarks.

When asked about the order to designate all New Mexico counties as turquoise, Human Services Secretary David Scrase said “I think we’re giving the economy every chance to regrow” after the pandemic.

Health Secretary Tracie Collins added: “To be clear, the goal is to open up” the economy.

More than 56% of New Mexico was fully vaccinated against the disease on Friday. Once the state hits 60%, the red-to-turquoise limitations will be lifted two weeks after that to ensure those newly vaccinated attain immunity.

After those restrictions are lifted, the state will keep surveillance of COVID-19 cases to watch for outbreaks. Collins noted businesses still can opt to require masks for customers even after the red-to-turquoise framework ends.

Scrase said the state still will have a few rules in place as the federal government unwinds its anti-pandemic efforts. He said he suspects nursing homes and group homes soon will undergo more intensive COVID-19 testing of unvaccinated people.

Here are the 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.