SANTA FE, N.M. — The loosening of some restrictions imposed on nonessential businesses by New Mexico’s governor two months ago to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak took effect Saturday, along with a new edict that people wear masks in public under most circumstances.
Also Saturday, state officials reported six additional deaths from the outbreak and 185 more COVID-19 cases.
Figures released by state officials put the death toll at 259 as of Saturday, with the total number of cases statewide at 5,847.
Though only three of the state’s 33 counties haven’t reported any COVID-19 cases, the outbreak is most prevalent in Bernalillo County, neighboring Sandoval County and northwestern New Mexico’s McKinley and San Juan counties. Northwestern New Mexico include parts of the Navajo Nation, which has become a hot spot in portions of New Mexico and Arizona.
The loosening of restrictions that took effect Saturday applied to most of the state but not in the northwest region, where McKinley and San Juan counties are located along with Cibola County.
The additional deaths reported Saturday included four from McKinley County and one each from San Juan and Sandoval counties.
Under the loosening, retailers and many services along with houses of worship could reopen at limited capacity.
Also, in a new move to combat the spread, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered that face masks be worn in public, but with exceptions that included eating, drinking and exercising.
Wearing masks is needed to help produce “a safe environment,” but police will not ticket people not wearing some sort of face covering, the governor said Friday.
“I am not going to go out and try to make examples of individuals and cite them. I don’t think that that wins the day. I think positive re-enforcement wins the day and we don’t have the resources to do it anyway,” Lujan Grisham said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.