COVID-19 cases up in New Mexico, but the virus is different

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – COVID circumstances are up in New Mexico and in a uncommon COVID-19 replace on Wednesday, state well being officers acknowledged it looks as if everybody is aware of somebody of their group who has COVID. However, they stated there may be some excellent news on the pandemic entrance and that this wave isn’t like all of the previous.

“Regardless of the rise in circumstances and group transmission ranges, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths stay comparatively low,” stated Dr. Christine Ross, the state’s epidemiologist. “Clearly, what we’re seeing with this wave may be very totally different than what we’ve seen prior to now.”

The state stated about 3.5% of these hospitalized with COVID are on ventilators, in comparison with about 20% prior to now.

State well being officers stated this wave is totally different because of numerous elements together with excessive herd immunity from vaccinations and pure immunization from infections and re-infections. In addition they say there are more practical therapies for COVID-19 like Paxlovid and Remdesivir, serving to forestall severe sickness and hospitalizations. Lastly, Dr. David Scrase stated the virus may be getting milder.

“I believe we’re evolving towards a milder sickness. So, if extra persons are getting COVID they usually’re not sick they usually’re not going to the hospital that’s truly an excellent factor. Even when we don’t learn about it,” stated Dr. David Scrase, NMDOH Secretary.

Hospitalizations are hovering round 130, which is way decrease than earlier factors within the pandemic. State well being officers advised the hospital fee might even be decrease than we all know as a result of variety of unreported circumstances and growth of at-home testing.

“Our circumstances are based mostly on reported circumstances to the state. So, we all know that is much less full prior to now and that is primarily because of altering testing practices. Specifically, the rise in home-based testing,” stated Dr. Ross.

Dr. Ross stated vaccines get much less efficient over time which is why boosters are so necessary. She stated nationwide knowledge exhibits people who find themselves vaccinated and boosted are 5 instances as more likely to keep away from getting hospitalized with COVID and 17-times much less more likely to die from the virus. State well being officers keep that vaccines and boosters are nonetheless the perfect instruments to keep away from severe sickness from COVID.

When requested what it will take to convey again masks mandates, Dr. Scrase stated these discussions aren’t even going down anymore because of all of the instruments individuals need to out there to guard themselves.

The state stated it is going to proceed to watch case and hospital tendencies. It additionally stated it has made large strides in wastewater surveillance testing.