ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — COVID-19 instances in New Mexico are on the rise once more. The present 7-day common is 360 instances – a month in the past, the common was simply 156 instances.

“Happily, they’re simply not almost as unhealthy as they have been earlier on and with the delta wave and this final omicron wave in January,” stated Dr. Mark Epstein. “So we’re seeing, nevertheless, a slight improve within the variety of instances turning again constructive and a little bit of an uptick as effectively in hospitalizations.”

KOB 4 requested Dr. Epstein what may very well be driving the rise of instances, which is occurring in different states as effectively.

“Most definitely what’s occurring is we’re form of getting sick of the virus however the virus isn’t achieved with us,” he stated. “I feel it’s as a lot about folks’s conduct and spending extra time collectively unmasked than every other main modifications in any other case.”

Dr. Epstein says it’s arduous to foretell what is going to occur subsequent as a result of there are such a lot of variables.

“It actually is dependent upon this virus and the way it’s altering,” he stated.

The CDC accepted booster photographs Friday for youngsters ages 5 to 11. Pfizer is the one vaccine accepted for that age group. The New Mexico Division of Well being stated dad and mom can schedule an appointment on-line.

On Friday, the NMDOH reported 11 further COVID-19 deaths and 636 new instances. There are at the moment 75 people hospitalized in New Mexico with COVID-19.