Coronavirus Update

Coronavirus Update – November 4, 2020

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Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Wednesday, November 4, 2020. Today on Coronavirus Update, co-producer Andrea Warner talks to Priscilla Lucero, Executive Director of The Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments. They will talk about how to apply for CARES Act COVID-19 housing cost assistance under a new program for New Mexicans who need help keeping up with mortgage and rental payments. 

Coronavirus Update is a local radio show that provides the latest information you need to know on local community strategies to slow the spread of the Coronavirus and protect yourself, your family and our community during this public health crisis. Brought to you by Gila/Mimbres Community Radio, Gila Resources Information Project, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Grant County and National Center for Frontier Communities.

Send us your updates to info@grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org

NM Dept of Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-855-600-3453 or visit cv.nmhealth.org

Coronavirus Information Hotline at 1-833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov

NM Crisis & Access Line, 24/7, 1-855-662-7474; nmcrisisline.com

Donations to Community COVID-19 Response – Grant County Community Foundation

Grant County Coronavirus Update website – grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org


Coronavirus Update is broadcast live on Gila/Mimbres Community Radio 89.1 FM Silver City on Wednesdays at Noon and rebroadcast Wednesdays at 6 pm and Thursdays at 8 am

Or listen to this episode at your convenience via this link…


State health officials reported another record-high number of COVID-19 cases in New Mexico on Tuesday, with 1,141 new cases. The state Department of Health also reported nine additional deaths related to the disease and hospitalizations for COVID-19 continued to grow.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 reached 401 on Tuesday, another new record, 19 more than reported on Monday. The state had never had more than 300 individuals hospitalized for the disease until Oct. 27. The Department of Health said 76 percent of general beds and 67 percent of ICU beds are occupied in New Mexico. This includes hospitalizations for all reasons, not just COVID-19.

The Department of Health has now reported 49,240 confirmed cases and 980 deaths since the  beginning of the pandemic. Total weekly new cases rose to 6,071 this week, up from 5, 273 new cases from last week’s totals.  As of Tuesday, the Department of Health designated 21,942 COVID-19 cases as recovered, leaving 27,298 active cases in New Mexico 

In Grant County, there have been 215 cases reported with 28 new cases since last week.  There have been 5 reported recoveries since last week bringing that number to 73 recovered and 142 active cases.  Grant County had its fourth COVID death reported last week – a 91-year old Arenas Valley man, the first to have occurred at Gila Regional Medical Center. 

For more information on the latest COVID-19 information, visit cv.nmhealth.org

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS REMINDED NEW MEXICANS ABOUT WHO SHOULD GET TESTED FOR COVID-19:

With rising COVID-19 cases around the state, the Department of Health has reminded New Mexicans about who should get tested for the coronavirus.

  • Symptomatic people displaying the COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and/or loss of taste or smell.
  • Asymptomatic people who are close contacts or household members of New Mexico residents who have already tested positive for the coronavirus;
  • Asymptomatic people who live or work in congregate settings such as detention centers and long-term care facilities;
  • Patients who are scheduled for surgery and whose provider has advised them to get tested before the procedure.

For more information on Covid testing and contact tracing in New Mexico go to www.togethernm.org

 

LOCAL COVID-19 TESTING SCHEDULE

The Grant County Public Health Office provides free testing every Tuesday from 8:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. and every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm.

Appointments can be scheduled by registering on the following website:
https://cvtestreg.nmhealth.org/ Once registered, you will receive a code. Please save this code and use it when making your appointment by calling: 575-538-5318 (ext. 4).

The Grant County Public Health Office is located at 2610 N. Silver Street (across the street from the Swimming Pool).

CVS Pharmacy Drive-thru in Silver City is making Self-swab tests available to individuals meeting CDC criteria, in addition to state and age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) in Silver City is doing testing on weekdays except for Tuesday at their clinic at 1007 Pope Street in Silver City and at their Lordsburg clinic on weekdays except for Thursdays at 530 De Moss Street. Call 1-575-388-1511 for an appointment.

 

NM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR CONTACT-TRACING JOBS

The New Mexico Department of Health and the State Personnel Office are seeking applicants with education or experience in health care fields to fill contact-tracing positions statewide as the fight against COVID intensifies.

As COVID cases rise and testing demand increases, the need for contact-tracers is imperative to identify, isolate, monitor and support COVID positive cases through their period of isolation.

Contact-tracing not only supports someone who has tested positive for COVID, they also alert those who have come into close contact with the COVID positive person so that they can immediately get tested and isolate. This process of case investigation is critical to virus containment and stopping the spread of the disease.

Applicants can apply by logging onto the State Personnel Office website www.spo.state.nm.us and navigate to “View Job Opportunities and Apply” at the top right of the page. The contact-tracing positions are listed there. Hiring is virtual, and work will be remote.

 

FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULES

The Food Pantry at the Gospel Mission located at 111 South Texas Street in Silver City is open for drive thru only on Wednesdays 8:30 am – 9:30 am. Emergency  Dry Food Boxes are available once a month to individuals upon request.   There is also a Daily soup kitchen: Breakfast takes place from 9:00-10:00 Mon-Fri and Lunch occurs every day from 12-1 pm. Showers and clothes are also made available to those in need.  Call 575 388-5071 for more information.

St. Francis Newman Center Food Pantry located at 914 W. 13th St. Silver City is open every Monday at 4 pm. Cash assistance for rent, utilities, bus passes and prescription drugs is also provided.  Call 575-388-4933 for more information.

The Commons regular food pantry distribution will be Saturday, November 7th, from 10am to 12pm.  The Commons is located at 501 East 13th Street, next door to Knights of Columbus. For more information please contact The Commons at 575-388-2988. 

 

DOUBLE YOUR SNAP BENEFITS AT SILVER CITY FARMERS’ MARKET AND THE SILVER CITY FOOD CO-OP

Silver City Farmers’ Market accepts EBT and Pandemic-EBT cards and offers Double Up Food Bucks to double your SNAP benefits. Use your EBT card and get half off all purchases.

New winter hours are Saturdays 9 am — 12 pm at the corner of Pope St. and College Avenue in the old Life Quest parking lot

Visit the website at https://www.silvercityfarmersmarket.info/.

Double Up Food Bucks are now also available at the Silver City Food Co-op for half off all New Mexico grown produce purchases.

 

RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE NEW PNM COVID CUSTOMER RELIEF PROGRAM

PNM customers needing financial assistance with their electricity bills can apply through the new PNM Covid Customer Relief Program.

Eligibility is based on household income:

  • $50-$200 per eligible residential customer, $150-$200 per eligible small business. The amount of financial assistance provided will vary depending on how much is past due.
  • Qualified customers must pay at least 25% of the past-due balance

You must apply no later than December 31, or until funds last, by calling PNM at 855-364-2950 Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM – 6 PM or visit PNM.com.

Assistance is available on a first come, first served basis. Full list of eligibility and requirements is available at PNM.com/help

 

VIOLENCE IN THE HOME FROM COVID-19 IS DANGEROUS AND CAN BE DEADLY

Raising a hand, threats, and neglect are abuse. It’s vitally important for anyone experiencing any abuse to contact someone who can help. You are not alone.

If you need someone to call, there are several agencies ready and available to help today. Abuse can happen to anyone, so be assured privacy is of the utmost importance to all providers. It’s extremely important to feel safe and supported in your own home. 

For help with domestic violence, you can call

New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at (855) 662-7474

New Mexico Adult Protective Services at (866) 654-3219

New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence at (505) 246-9240 

National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233

Child Abuse Hotline at (505) 841-6100

If you know of a co-worker, relative, or friend that needs help getting out of a dangerous or abusive situation, you can refer them to these resources.

For emergency situations, call 911.

If emotional or physical abuse is occurring, it is an emergency situation.

If you just want someone to hear you out, call the Peer-to-Peer Warmline at (855) 466-7100

  •     available to talk every day from 3:30p – 11:30p MT
  •     available by text from 6:00p – 11:00p MT

 

MORTGAGE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEW MEXICANS IMPACTED BY COVID-19

On Monday, November 2, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority began accepting applications for the new COVID-19 Housing Cost Assistance Program. The program provides qualifying New Mexicans with as much as $1,500 per month for up to three months to pay back rent or mortgage payments and other housing costs.

The COVID-19 Housing Cost Assistance Program is available to New Mexico households earning 80 percent or less of the median income in their area, adjusted for family size. In order to qualify, applicants must prove that they have suffered a financial hardship that is directly related to the COVID-19 health crisis and documentation of delinquency. 

Complete program details, including household income limits by county, can be found on the Mortgage Finance Authority website at housingnm.org

If you have any questions, please call 505.308.4206 or 866.488.0498

 

HOMEWISE OFFERS EMERGENCY MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE

Homewise is offering emergency mortgage assistance to those affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If you are having difficulty paying your mortgage and do not qualify for unemployment or government assistance at this time, contact a Homewise representative at (505) 983-9473 or visit the Homewise Website at https://homewise.org/

 

WATER UTILITY AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR BAYARD RESIDENTS

Are you a Bayard resident that needs help with water and rent?

CARES Act funding is available to help Bayard residents with water utility and rent bills.  Call Bayard City Hall at 575-537-3327 for more information on application procedures.

 

DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 21 TO REQUEST FEDERAL STIMULUS PAYMENTS

The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department is reaching out to about 60,000 New Mexicans who may not have received or applied for the Economic Impact Payments authorized by the federal CARES Act earlier this year.

Taxation and Revenue, with the help of the New Mexico Human Services Department, identified people who may not have filed a federal tax return in 2018 or 2019 and, as a result, did not automatically receive their federal stimulus payment. 

Individuals may be eligible for payments of up to $1,200, depending on income, plus an additional $500 per qualifying child. 

It’s not too late to register for stimulus money even if you didn’t file a tax return. If you or someone you know is eligible, but hasn’t claimed it yet, the state is urging every New Mexican to register to get the money they’re eligible for before the IRS November 21, deadline.”

The deadline to request a payment from the IRS is Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. Mountain Time. To apply and for more information, go to irs.gov

 

IMMIGRANT FAMILIES FUND

Millions of immigrants are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, risking their health and well-being every day to keep our society going. And yet, many immigrants were left out of the CARES Act relief. The COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund is providing financial support to immigrant families who have been left out of the federal government’s relief efforts. Immigrants may be eligible to receive a $500 grant to help cover whatever is most pressing in their lives.

Find out more at https://missionassetfund.org/

 

NEW MEXICO SMALL BUSINESS CONTINUITY GRANT

Small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for a State of New Mexico Small Business Continuity Grant. These grants cover expenses associated with rent, non-owner payroll, mortgage payments, insurance, utilities, and marketing.  

Also, covered are costs associated with COVID-19 reconfiguring.  For information regarding these grants and other help for your small business please call the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce at 575-538-3785.  

There are limited grants available, so complete your application for consideration today. 

The grant application with requirements and full details is available on the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce website at silvercity.org

 

CHILDCARE

Are you in Need of Child Care?  Your Local Providers Are Here to Help 

Since the beginning of the public health emergency, New Mexico’s child care  providers have been open for business. 

The state of New Mexico—in partnership with child care providers—have  developed some of the clearest, most detailed health and safety regulations  in the country. As a result, child care providers have kept COVID cases low through Handwashing, Temperature-taking, Cleaning and sanitation, social Distancing, Mask-wearing, and Rapid response and testing  if a positive case occurs. 

Last year, the state raised financial eligibility thresholds for child care assistance.

Visit nmececd.org and click on  “Am I Eligible?” or call 800-691-9067. 

Email child.care@state.nm.us if you have questions or concerns about child care. 

 

NM STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE NOVEMBER WEBINARS 

4 Nov at 3pm – Selecting and Planting Trees for the fall – Presented by Jeff Anderson, Dona Ana Extension.  Part of the Ready, Set, Grow Series.

5 Nov at 3pm – Drip Irrigation for the Small Farm – Presented by Bradley Tonnensen, NMSU Plant Sciences.  Part of the NM Sustainable Agriculture Online series.

6 Nov at 10am – Planting Winter Crops and Herbs – presented by Bernalillo Extension and Presbyterian Health

18 Nov at 3pm – Winter Care of Woody Plants in the home landscape – presented by Marisa Thompson, NMSU Horticulture Specialist.  Part of the Ready, Set, Grow series.

To register for all these webinars, please visit https://bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu

 

NONPROFIT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

PASO DEL NORTE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION COVID-19 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Paso Del Norte Community Foundation invites nonprofit organizations to submit proposals to address charitable needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 support organizations that address frontline mitigation of COVID-19 in the El Paso region. This may include Doña Ana, Luna, Grant, and/or Otero Counties. For more information go to pdnfoundation.org/

 

VECINO, NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR FUND

The New Mexico Foundation is currently making emergency grants from its Vecino, Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund to nonprofits that support those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Foundation will accept applications for its second phase of Vecino grantmaking beginning October 20, 2020. If you’re a nonprofit or tribal entity interested in applying for a grant, go to newmexicofoundation.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Vecino funds are expended.

 

SILVER CITY FOOD CO-OP ROUNDUP APPLICATIONS

The Silver City Food Co-op is accepting applications at www.silvercityfoodcoop.coop through the end of November for its monthly Round Up Program recipients.

Each month, the Silver City Food Co-op provides the option for customers to give the change from their transactions back to the community instead of into their pockets. The accumulation of this change over several years has benefited many local organizations. Since December of 2016, they’ve  donated $57,530 to organizations around Grant County.

If you are part of an organization that could use a financial boost whose mission is in alignment with the co-op’s desire to support a healthy and vibrant community, please fill out the simple online application at www.silvercityfoodcoop.coop

 

Thank you for joining us on Coronavirus Update here on Gila/Mimbres Community Radio, KURU 89.1 FM, streaming online at GMCR.org.

Please visit our website at GMCR.org for all of today’s updates, links to resources, as well as replays of today’s and past shows.

Please continue to visit our website, grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org, for a clearinghouse of local, state and federal information and resources to help keep you, your family and our community safe in these times.

While you’re there, you can also join our mailing list to receive these updates via email.

And don’t forget that you can send us your updates via our new email address at info@grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org or on facebook at grant county coronavirus update.

Written by: Allyson Siwik

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