Cases staying down in Quay County

Quay County on Friday was about to enter its second week without a reported case of COVID-19 as the state lifted its health restrictions the previous day.

The county's last confirmed coronavirus case was reported on June 21. The county's overall case total remained at 537, with 11 deaths, since the pandemic began last spring.

The breakdown of COVID-19 cases by ZIP code in Quay County through Friday was 373 in Tucumcari, 106 in Logan, 24 in San Jon, 11 in House, nine in McAlister, five in Nara Visa, five in Grady (part of which extends into Quay County), and five in Bard.

A total of 513 people in the county were deemed by the New Mexico Department of Health to have recovered from the virus.

Noting the state had met its goal of a 60% full vaccination rate, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced in mid-June that all businesses across the state could operate at 100% of maximum capacity on July 1.

In addition, all limitations on mass gatherings are gone. Businesses, large events and organizations also may operate at 100% of maximum capacity.

The governor celebrated the state's reopening of the economy by eating lunch and imbibing a mixed drink at two Albuquerque-area establishments.

Businesses and local governments still can adopt and require additional precautions for residents, employees and patrons, at their discretion, and are still advised to enact whatever social distancing and face-masking measures may be appropriate to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

Face masks, in accordance with CDC guidance, have not been required in New Mexico for people who have completed their vaccination series since May 14.

In New Mexico, 86 new COVID-19 cases were reported Friday, bringing the overall total to more than 205,000 since the pandemic began. The state has been settling into double-digit daily totals of the disease since last week.

One COVID-19 death was reported in the state Friday, raising the total at 4,344.

A total of 67 people were hospitalized in New Mexico with the disease Friday, a drop of four from the previous week. More than 900 people were hospitalized with the disease during the pandemic’s peak this winter.

The Amarillo metro region on Friday totaled 132 active cases of the disease, which was about the same as a week ago.

In the U.S., more than 33.7 million people have been confirmed with COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with more than 605,000 deaths, through Friday.

According to state data Friday, 38.7% of Quay County residents have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus. That was an increase of 0.7% from the previous week.

About 42.3% of Quay County residents have received one shot of COVID-19 vaccine, an increase of 0.5%.