New Mexico sees uptick in COVID-19 cases
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — This week, the New Mexico Department of Health reported more than 500 COVID cases.
“COVID cases have been going up – not as high as we had during the pandemic – but just in the last week we have had 550 cases and about 34 hospitalizations,” said Dr. Laura Parajon, New Mexico Department of Health deputy secretary.
More than 100 of those cases were children with COVID-19. Dr. Parajon said there are a lot of factors making numbers go up.
“It’s hot outside, so people are spending more time inside where it is easier to transmit the virus,” Dr. Parajon said. “People are going on vacations, they are flying around, picking up the virus.”
As numbers fluctuate, Dr. Parajon says COVID-19 is here to stay.
This week, state health officials reported 550 COVID-19 cases in New Mexico. More than 100 of those cases were children.
“We are seeing how we are now living with COVID now, so instead of just flu and RSV, we add COVID to the mix and that makes it worse for hospital systems who now have to deal with three different respiratory viruses,” Dr. Parajon said.
The deputy secretary said the best way to help hospitals is to get vaccinated.
“What we need to do is take advantage of the vaccine, especially when the new one comes out for COVID,” Dr. Parajon said. “Get vaccinated for the flu, and if you are older, over 60 years old, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated for RSV.”